The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) plans a complete overhaul of the 12 grading education system two phases of basic education (five years of primary school and four years of secondary school) and vocational orientation (three years of high school).  Accordingly, students will have a combination of four compulsory (instead of 13) and three to four optional subjects. 

The four compulsory subjects include Literature, Mathematics, and Foreign Languages plus a new subject "Citizens and the Nation" covering knowledge in various areas including National Defence, Civic Duties, History and Geography.  The optional subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Biology and IT, Music and Sports, etc. Students are allowed change optional subjects during the 12 years of schooling to suit their career orientation.

Under the new system, schools have the autonomy to develop their own curriculum following MOET’s criteria rather than using the national programme across the country like now.

Since 1980, at least four reforms have been undertaken for Vietnam's 12 grading education system with the last effort in 2000. Last year, the textbook reform plan received criticism from educators and the public after being announced and therefore was dismissed.  

The new programme will be reviewed and revised annually, based on actual results and feedback from teachers, education managers, experts and the general public.

Sources:
Thanhnien News 
Vietnam News