Parents in Ho Chi Minh City are closely watching a new naming rule that could affect the value of the tuition they pay. The rule targets schools that call themselves ‘international’, ‘national’ or ‘Vietnam’ without meeting official criteria.

Ho Chi Minh City education authorities will require schools with misleading ‘international’, ‘national’ or ‘Vietnam’ labels to change their names by September 17, 2027 under Government Decree No. 360/2026/ND-CP. The decree aims to improve transparency and correct the use of such terms.

Parents have paid up to VND200 million (US$7,800) in tuition believing the ‘international’ label guarantees an international curriculum, yet the schools follow Vietnam’s 2018 General Education Program. This mismatch has left many families feeling that they did not receive the promised global education.

Parents worry that losing the ‘international’ label will damage the school’s reputation and hurt their children’s future academic prospects, including acceptance by foreign schools. They fear that foreign institutions may view the diploma as less competitive without the label.

The Department of Education and Training says graduation recognition and diploma issuance are regulated and do not depend on the ‘international’ label. Therefore, the name change will not affect a student’s official diploma.

Education experts advise parents to verify a school’s legal status, curriculum and accreditation, discuss transition plans with school management, and consider adjusting tuition fees after the label is dropped. By doing so, families can protect their financial investment and ensure their children’s qualifications remain strong. The key point is that the label is a marketing term, not a guarantee of international recognition.