Vietnam Enhances Support for Boarding Students

In a bid to uplift educational opportunities, the Vietnamese government has revealed an extensive support initiative for students enrolled in boarding schools and those situated in border regions. This announcement is a result of Decree 188/2026/ND-CP, issued on May 27, 2026, aimed at enhancing both educational accessibility and living conditions for children from remote areas.

The policy stipulates that midday boarding students will receive a monthly meal allowance of 450,000 Vietnamese Dong for up to nine months during the academic year. Boarding students, in particular, will benefit from a monthly food allowance of 1.17 million Vietnamese Dong, easing the financial burden on families while encouraging continuous education.

To further bolster food security, rice aid will also be granted to qualifying students. Midday boarding students will receive eight kilograms of rice each month, while full boarding students will benefit from fifteen kilograms monthly. This support will last for a maximum of nine months each school year, ensuring that students have reliable access to essential nutrition.

Additionally, the decree outlines financial backing for school supplies and personal needs. Each school year, students at boarding schools will be allocated 2.05 million Vietnamese Dong to cover costs for uniforms, stationery, and related materials. Boarding students will also be provided with a one-time package each educational cycle for essentials such as blankets and mosquito nets, valued similarly.

The initiative includes unique provisions for first-grade ethnic minority students engaged in Vietnamese language preparatory classes prior to starting primary school. These students will benefit from an extra month of meal and rice support, facilitating a smoother integration into the schooling system and enhancing learning outcomes.

Moreover, boarding schools will receive bolstered government assistance to improve their infrastructure and educational resources. They will be prioritized for developments in facilities and equipment, receiving 100,000 Vietnamese Dong operational funding per student per month for up to nine months, aimed at promoting stable and effective learning environments.

Further funding will cover health check-ups, student welfare initiatives, cultural activities, educational programs, as well as utility expenses for kitchens and student management services. Officials express confidence that this transparent policy will mitigate educational inequalities and foster long-term socioeconomic advancement across Vietnam.