Vietnam’s education sector is undergoing a transformative phase, marked by the increasing presence of private entities alongside the established public system. The involvement of businesses not only expands investment resources but also introduces fresh perspectives, reshaping structures, improving governance, and redefining operational philosophies within the industry.
From this trend, a new class of entrepreneurs has emerged as architects of change, infusing modern economic, technological, and managerial thinking into education. Their contributions are diversifying Vietnam’s educational landscape, creating a more dynamic and multifaceted training system.
When Corporate Giants Invest in Education
Among the notable entrepreneurs committed to education, Mr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of FPT Corporation, stands out with his unique connection to teaching. With an academic background as an Associate Professor and Doctor of Mathematics and Physics from Moscow State University (Russia), Mr. Binh transitioned into business without ever leaving his passion for knowledge behind.
Mr. Truong Gia Binh – Chairman of FPT Corporation.
In the 1990s, he co-founded the Faculty of Business Administration at Hanoi National University, laying the groundwork for MBA programs in Vietnam. In 1999, he steered FPT into education with the establishment of FPT Aptech, the country’s first international programmer training center. A year later, FPT Arena Multimedia was launched, pioneering multimedia arts education.
In 2006, FPT University was officially established, becoming Vietnam’s first private university with a corporate orientation. Today, FPT Education has evolved into a comprehensive system, educating tens of thousands of students and supplying high-tech human resources to society.
In contrast to FPT’s tech-focused approach, billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong, Chairman of Vingroup, opted for a non-profit educational model, committing 100% of profits to societal causes.
Billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong – Chairman of Vingroup.
In 2013, the Vinschool system was launched, operating on a non-profit basis with a mission to create a modern, disciplined, and globally integrated learning environment. In just over a decade, Vinschool has expanded to over 50 educational institutions, serving nearly 50,000 students.
In 2018, VinUni University was founded, a rare non-profit private university in Vietnam. With an investment of over 6.5 trillion VND, VinUni collaborates with Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania (USA), aiming for international standards in teaching, research, and management. All profits are reinvested into scholarships, infrastructure, and sustainable development initiatives.
Ms. Thai Huong, Chairwoman of TH Group, is another prominent businesswoman known for her TH True MILK brand. However, her passion for education is equally notable.
Ms. Thai Huong – Chairwoman of TH Group.
In December 2017, TH Group inaugurated TH School at 4-6 Chua Boc Street, Hanoi. This is the first campus in the TH School system, offering integrated education from kindergarten to high school, with pathways to university, college, and vocational training, including student exchange programs.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition fees at the Chua Boc and Hoa Lac campuses range from 54 million to 319 million VND per semester per student.
The Chua Boc campus covers nearly 20,000 m², with a capacity for 17 kindergarten classes (340 students), 25 primary classes (625 students), and 45 secondary classes (1,125 students), including 24 middle school classes (600 students) and 21 high school classes (525 students).
In September 2018, the Hoa Lac campus was inaugurated, located in the Comprehensive Service Area 1 of the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, Thach That District, Hanoi. The 2022-2023 academic year marked the sixth year of operation for the TH School system and the first year of its third campus at Huynh Thuc Khang High School in Nghe An.
TH School is widely recognized as one of the most modern and comprehensive educational institutions developed by TH Group, founded by Ms. Thai Huong. It stands as the first international school system established by a Vietnamese entrepreneur.
With an internationally accredited curriculum, 80% of subjects at TH School are taught in English. By the end of grade 12, students take the Cambridge IGCSE exams, followed by AS/A Level certifications.
Educational Aspirations
Another entrepreneur making waves in education is Mr. Ho Xuan Nang, Chairman of Phenikaa Group, who began his career as a lecturer at Hanoi University of Science and Technology before becoming a businessman.
Mr. Ho Xuan Nang – Chairman of Phenikaa Group.
His educational dream began in 2017 when Phenikaa acquired Thanh Tay University, renaming it Phenikaa University. For Mr. Ho Xuan Nang, education has been a long-cherished dream since his days as a graduate student at Hanoi University of Science and Technology in 1991.
“When investing in a university, it’s crucial to define your future vision. Creating a university of stature is a different endeavor, requiring substantial resources,” Mr. Nang shared.
With this philosophy, he positioned Phenikaa as a research-oriented institution, focusing on skill-based training and connecting students with the job market. Between 2018 and 2020, Phenikaa invested over 1.6 trillion VND in infrastructure and experimentation, expanding its training programs to over 50 fields.
In 2022, the system expanded further with the establishment of Phenikaa K-12 School, completing an educational ecosystem “from kindergarten to postgraduate studies,” a model that many other businesses are now emulating.
The increasing involvement of private enterprises in education, bringing resources, new management models, and innovative thinking, is shaping the modern educational landscape.
In September 2025, Phenikaa University officially became Vietnam’s 10th university after six years of restructuring. It is recognized as the first private university in the North to develop a smart, innovative, multidisciplinary model.
As of September 2025, the university’s charter capital reached 1 trillion VND, equivalent to 100 million shares. Phenikaa University now comprises five schools offering over 100 programs, including nearly 30 postgraduate programs across five faculties: Phenikaa School of Engineering, Phenikaa School of Information Technology, Phenikaa School of Economics, Phenikaa School of Foreign Languages and Social Sciences, and Phenikaa School of Medicine and Pharmacy.
By 2035, Phenikaa University aims to be among the top 200-300 universities globally and the top innovative university in Vietnam, with 70% of its revenue derived from research and technology transfer activities.
While FPT, Vingroup, and Phenikaa view education as part of their sustainable development strategies, for Mr. Hoang Quoc Viet, Chairman of Nguyen Hoang Group (NHG), education is the sole focus.
Mr. Hoang Quoc Viet – Chairman of Nguyen Hoang Group (NHG).
Starting with a small computer store in 1999, Mr. Viet fully transitioned to education in 2008 with the establishment of the iSchool system. NHG rapidly expanded through a series of M&A deals, acquiring Hong Bang University, Gia Dinh University, and Ba Ria – Vung Tau University, among others. This led to the creation of a “private education empire” with over 60 campuses nationwide.
In 2018, the first project in Quang Ngai was launched with an investment of over 1 trillion VND, marking the beginning of a series of models in Hue, Hoi An, and Dak Lak.
The group’s growth is closely tied to Mr. Hoang Quoc Viet and Ms. Hoang Nguyen Thu Thao. According to the limited information on Nguyen Hoang’s website, Mr. Hoang Quoc Viet serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors and is the company’s founder. Ms. Hoang Nguyen Thu Thao is the CEO and Chairwoman of the Education Council.
Massive Waste as Lotte Returns Thu Thiem Eco Smart City Project
On September 2, 2022, Lotte Group held the groundbreaking ceremony for Thu Thiem Eco Smart City, only to later request a halt to the project. With the project’s suspension, this prime land risks lying dormant for years, a significant waste of resources. Moreover, this decision undermines the business environment and erodes investor confidence, compounding the loss.
Lotte’s Withdrawal from Thu Thiem Project Deemed a Waste by Mr. Phan Van Mai
Mr. Phan Văn Mãi highlighted that Lotte’s request to halt its project in Thủ Thiêm could lead to significant waste, as the land may remain unused for years, and negatively impact the investment and business environment.
