Reproducibility package for Turning Promise Into Practice: Building A Coherent ECEC Workforce System In Viet Nam
Reference ID
RR_VNM_2026_576
Author(s)
Vo Kieu Dung, Tracey Stormn Mcaskill, Pham Thi Phuong Lien
Collections
Metadata
Created on
Jul 10, 2026
Last modified
Jul 10, 2026
Page views
19
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3
Overview
Abstract
Viet Nam stands at a pivotal moment in early childhood education (ECE). National strategies set an ambitious vision for a modern, high-quality system. Achieving this vision depends on a single critical factor: the early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce. International evidence is unequivocal: teacher competence, pedagogical support, and working conditions are among the strongest determinants of children’s learning, well-being, and long-term outcomes (OECD 2020a; UNICEF 2024). The Government of Viet Nam (GoV) has taken important steps to elevate the role of teachers. Yet a persistent disconnect remains between this ambitious policy framework and structural realities teachers face. Chronic system pressures—rigid quota-based staffing that drives shortages, inconsistent and poorly aligned initial teacher education, promotion frameworks that reward seniority over competence, and professional development that is generic and insufficiently aligned with teacher needs—undermine the day-to-day experiences of teachers and children. These challenges are compounded by fragmented responsibilities across the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), Ministry of Finance (MOF), Departments of Education and Training (DOETs), and training institutions, alongside uneven provincial fiscal and administrative capacity. Together, they risk diluting the impact of the reform agenda. This paper argues that bridging this gap requires a shift toward a coherent, systemwide approach to workforce development (WFD).
Reproducibility Package
Scripts
File name
RR_VNM_2026_576
Zip package
RR_VNM_2026_576.zip
Title
Reproducibility package for Turning Promise Into Practice: Building A Coherent ECEC Workforce System In Viet Nam
Date
2026-05
Instructions
See README in reproducibility package.
Notes
Computational reproducibility verified by Development Impact (DECDI) Analytics team, World Bank.
Source code repository
| Repository name | URI |
|---|---|
| Reproducible Research Repository (World Bank) | https://reproducibility.worldbank.org |
Reproducibility
Technology environment
Paper exhibits were reproduced on a computer with the following specifications:
• OS: Windows 11 Enterprise
• Processor: INTEL(R) XEON(R) PLATINUM 8562Y+ 2.80 GHz (2 processors)
• Memory available: 32.0 GB
Reproduction instructions
To reproduce the findings in this paper, a replicator must:
- Secure Access to Data: Access the datasets not included in the package. See the Datasets section for more details.
- Excel: Generate exhibits in Excel using the instructions in the README file.
- QGIS: Generate figures in QGIS using the instructions in the README file.
Note: The reproducibility package begins with intermediate data as some of the raw data is restricted. Intermediate data is included in the reproducibility package and can be used to fully reproduce the results in the paper.
Data
Datasets
Name
Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Survey (TLEC)
Note
Filename: TLEC_Cleaned_Respondent_Level_Data.xls. The TLEC survey was conducted by the authors. The dataset was then cleaned and structured format by a Vietnamese research group collaborating on the study (Vietnam Institute of Education Studies(VNIES)).
Access policy
Data is forthcoming in the World Bank Microdata Library.
Data URL
Forthcoming at https://microdata.worldbank.org/
Citation
World Bank. Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Survey (TLEC) [dataset]. [Forthcoming]
Name
Learning in Early Years Survey (LEY)
Note
Filenames: LEY_Manager responses.xls and LEY_Teacher responses.xls. The LEY survey was conducted by the authors. The cleaned and structured LEY datasets were provided by the contractor on the study: Faculty of Early Childhood Education, Hanoi National University of Education (HNUE).
Access policy
Data is forthcoming in the World Bank Microdata Library.
Data URL
Forthcoming at https://microdata.worldbank.org/
Citation
World Bank. Learning in Early Years Survey (LEY) [dataset]. [Forthcoming]
Name
Early Childhood Education Administrative Data: National level (2014-2024)
Note
Filename: ece_national_level_data.xlsx. Source: Viet Nam Ministry of Education and Training. This data was manually compiled by the authors from the early childhood education statistics published on the Viet Nam Ministry of Education and Training website (https://moet.gov.vn/thong-ke).
Access policy
Data is forthcoming in the World Bank Development Data Hub.
Data URL
Forthcoming at https://datacatalog.worldbank.org/int/data/add
Citation
Viet Nam Ministry of Education and Training. 2024. Early Childhood Education Administrative Data: National level (2014-2024) [dataset]. https://moet.gov.vn/thong-ke. [Forthcoming]
Name
Early Childhood Education Administrative Data: Provincial level (2020-2021)
Note
Filename: 1. Source Data/ecec_provincial_level_data.xls and QGIS/ece_teacher_province_data.csv. The original data was shared with the authors by the Vietnam Department of Early Childhood Education, Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) during the World Bank’s technical assistance to the Department in 2022-2023. Due to confidentiality restrictions, the original data cannot be made publicly available. Therefore, only an intermediate dataset constructed by the authors is included in this reproducibility package. Please see README for details on the assembly process.
Access policy
Data access was granted directly to the study authors by the data owners/managers. It is included in the reproducibility package in a processed form.
License
Custom license
Data URL
https://moet.gov.vn/thong-ke
Citation
Viet Nam Ministry of Education and Training. 2020. Early Childhood Education Administrative Data: Provincial level (2020-2021) [dataset]. Unpublished data. Accessed 2022-2023.
Name
Early Childhood Education Administrative Data: Regional level
Note
Filename: ecec_regional_level_data.xls. The data was compiled by the authors from the appendix of the Draft National Assembly Resolution of Early Childhood Education Program Renovation posted on chinhphu.vn in January 2025.
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package in a processed form.
License
Government of Vietnam Copyright Notice
License URL
https://chinhphu.vn/du-thao-vbqppl/du-thao-nghi-quyet-cua-quoc-hoi-ve-doi-moi-chuong-trinh-giao-duc-mam-non-7211
Data URL
https://chinhphu.vn/du-thao-vbqppl/du-thao-nghi-quyet-cua-quoc-hoi-ve-doi-moi-chuong-trinh-giao-duc-mam-non-7211
Citation
Draft National Assembly Resolution of Early Childhood Education Program Renovation, Government of Vietnam Web Portal (chinhphu.vn). 2025. Early Childhood Education Administrative Data: Regional level [dataset]. Available at https://chinhphu.vn/du-thao-vbqppl/du-thao-nghi-quyet-cua-quoc-hoi-ve-doi-moi-chuong-trinh-giao-duc-mam-non-7211. Accessed 2025.
Name
Early Childhood Education Administrative Data: District level (2020-2021)
Note
Filename: 1. Source Data/ecec_district_level_data.xls and QGIS/ece_teacher_district_data.csv. The original dataset was compiled by the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) for the 2020–2021 school year to support the drafting of a National Assembly resolution on the universalization of early childhood education and care (ECEC) for children aged 3–5. It was shared with the authors and, due to confidentiality restrictions, cannot be made publicly available. As a result, only an intermediate dataset constructed by the authors is included in this reproducibility package. Please see README for details on the assembly process.
Access policy
Data access was granted directly to the study authors by the data owners/managers. It is included in the reproducibility package in a processed form.
License
Custom license
Data URL
https://moet.gov.vn/thong-ke
Citation
Viet Nam Ministry of Education and Training. 2020. Early Childhood Education Administrative Data: District level (2020-2021) [dataset]. Unpublished data. Accessed 2022-2023.
Name
Gross regional domestic product per capita by province
Note
Filename: 2022 GDP per capita.xls. Source: Viet Nam National Statistics Office.
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package.
License
Copyright belongs to the National Statistics Office
License URL
https://www.nso.gov.vn/en/px-web/?pxid=E0312&theme=National%20Accounts%20and%20State%20budget
Data URL
https://www.nso.gov.vn/en/px-web/?pxid=E0312&theme=National%20Accounts%20and%20State%20budget
Citation
Viet Nam National Statistics Office. 2022. Gross regional domestic product per capita by province [dataset]. https://www.nso.gov.vn/en/px-web/?pxid=E0312&theme=National%20Accounts%20and%20State%20budget. Accessed 2022.
Name
Average population by province, sex and residence
Note
Filename: 2022 Urbanization rate.xls. Source: Viet Nam National Statistics Office.
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package.
License
Copyright belongs to the National Statistics Office
License URL
https://www.nso.gov.vn/en/px-web/?pxid=E0312&theme=National%20Accounts%20and%20State%20budget
Data URL
https://www.nso.gov.vn/en/px-web/?pxid=E0203-07&theme=Population%20and%20Employment
Citation
Viet Nam National Statistics Office. 2022. Average population by province, sex and residence [dataset]. https://www.nso.gov.vn/en/px-web/?pxid=E0203-07&theme=Population%20and%20Employment. Accessed 2022.
Name
Training targets of teacher training colleges and universities (2023)
Note
Filename: 2023 TTIs training target.xls. This data was shared with the authors by the Vietnam Department of Higher Education during a technical mission in November 2022.
Access policy
Data is forthcoming in the World Bank Development Data Hub.
License
Custom license
Data URL
Forthcoming at https://datacatalog.worldbank.org/int/data/add
Citation
Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Training, Government of Vietnam. 2023. Training targets of teacher training colleges and universities (2023) [dataset]. [Forthcoming].
Name
Training targets of teacher training colleges and universities (2018-2022)
Note
Filename: Figure 7.xls. Training targets for early childhood education for teacher training universities and colleges from 2018 to 2022 were manually collected by the authors from the institutions’ admission plans posted on their official websites of the analysed universities and colleges. Links: 1. Hanoi National University of Education (HNUE) (https://tuyensinh.hnue.edu.vn/tin-tuc/185). 2. Viet Nam National University, University of Education (VNU-UED) (https://education.vnu.edu.vn/index.php/WebControl/viewnews/1557: now inactive). 3. National College of Education (NCE) (https://cdsptw.edu.vn/document.aspx?sitepageid=665&id=1060). 4. Vinh University, School of Education (VUED)(https://old.vinhuni.edu.vn/DATA/0/upload/1/documents/2018/07/deandh_chinh_ngay_0472018.pdf). 5. Hue University, School of Education (HUED): (https://tuyensinh.dhsphue.edu.vn/Modules/nganhhoc/front_list_nganh.aspx?idmenu=117) 6.Thai Nguyen Universitiy, School of Education (TNUED) (https://tuyensinh.tnue.edu.vn/Data/Sites/120/media/thangtm/files/De%20an%20tuyen%20sinh%202020_6.pdf: now inactive). 6. Hanoi Metropolitan University (HMU)(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uylR9YyzIV01V7YoYbPTiNamdDmMWv9v/view)
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package in a processed form.
Citation
Authors' compilation. 2026. Training targets of teacher training colleges and universities (2018-2022) [dataset]. Based on admission plans of selected universities and colleges.
Name
Ethnic minority population
Note
Filename: Population- Ethnicity by province-2019.xlsx. Source: 2019 Viet Nam Population and Housing Census, Viet Nam General Statistics Office.
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package in a processed form.
Data URL
https://gis.gso.gov.vn/printed_material/
Citation
Viet Nam General Statistics Office: 2019 Viet Nam Population and Housing Census. Ethnic minority population [dataset]. Available at https://gis.gso.gov.vn/printed_material/. Accessed 2025.
Name
Ethnic minority: teachers
Note
Filename: Ethnic ECE teachers.xlsx. The original data was shared with the authors by the Department of Early Childhood Education, Ministry of Education and Training during the World Bank’s technical assistance to the Department in 2022-2023, it is not publicly available. The intermediate dataset compiled by the authors is included in the reproducibility package. See README fordetails on assembly process.
Access policy
Data access was granted directly to the study authors by the data owners/managers. It is included in the package in a processed form.
License
Custom license
Citation
Viet Nam Ministry of Education and Training. 2023. Ethnic minority: teachers [dataset]. Unpublished data. Accessed 2025.
Name
Child-teacher ratio by countries
Note
Filename: B5b.xlsx. This dataset was manually compiled by the authors using Google and entering key words including “Statutory children to early childhood teacher” AND “[country]”. Links: Vietnam:Ministry of Education and Training (Vietnam). Circular No. 19/2023/TT-BGDĐT: Regulations on the organizational structure of public early childhood education professional titles, Article 3. Hanoi, 2023. (https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-ban/Lao-dong-Tien-luong/Thong-tu-19-2023-TT-BGDDT-co-cau-vien-chuc-theo-chuc-danh-nghe-nghiep-giao-duc-mam-non-cong-lap-508175.aspx); Malaysia: SpringerLink. “Table 1,” in Early Childhood Education in Malaysia, by Kimberly Kong, in International Handbook on Education in South East Asia. Singapore: Springer, [year]. (https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-16-8136-3_13-1/tables/1#ref-CR19) Singapore: Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). “Educator-to-Child Ratios.” Government of Singapore. (https://ask.gov.sg/ecda/questions/cm4mgs6r9001cptnr5ez88gro); Finland: http://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/eurypedia/finland/organisation-centre-based-ecec#:~:text=The%20maximum%20number%20of%20children,than%205%20hours%20a%20day (http://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/eurypedia/finland/organisation-centre-based-ecec#:~:text=The%20maximum%20number%20of%20children,than%205%20hours%20a%20day), Australia: https://www.acecqa.gov.au/nqf/educator-to-child-ratios (https://www.acecqa.gov.au/nqf/educator-to-child-ratios).
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package in a processed form.
Citation
Authors' compilation. 2026. Child-teacher ratio by countries [dataset]. Based on multiple sources.
Name
ECE Primary and Seconday school teachers by grade
Note
Filename: B6.xlsx. Thsi data was compiled by the authors from a news article on VnExpress, a Vietnamese online newspaper, which was based on data from the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training.
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package in a processed form.
License
VnExpress Terms of Use
License URL
https://vnexpress.net/dieu-khoan-su-dung
Data URL
https://vnexpress.net/giao-vien-mam-non-khap-khoi-cho-tien-luong-cao-nhat-4959000.html
Citation
Ministry of Education, Government of Vietnam and VnExpress. ECE Primary and Seconday school teachers by grade [dataset]. Accessed 2025.
Name
Territory of a province in Vietnam
Note
File location: QGIS\GIS\vnm_province. Vietnam province shapefiles are used to create Figures 3 and 4. Please refer to the README for further details.
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package.
License
CC-BY-SA-4.0
License URL
https://data.vietnam.opendevelopmentmekong.net/vi/dataset/a-phn-tnh
Data URL
https://data.vietnam.opendevelopmentmekong.net/vi/dataset/a-phn-tnh
Citation
Open Development Vietnam and Department of Survey and Mapping, Ministry of Nutural Resources and Environment -Vietnam. Territory of a province in Vietnam [dataset]. Accessed 2025.
Name
Vietnam District Territory
Note
File location: QGIS\GIS\vnm_district. Vietnam district shapefiles are used to create Figure 6. Please refer to the README for further details.
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package.
License
CC-BY-SA-4.0
License URL
https://data.opendevelopmentmekong.net/vi/dataset/a-phn-huyn
Data URL
https://data.opendevelopmentmekong.net/vi/dataset/a-phn-huyn
Citation
Open Development Vietnam and Department of Survey and Mapping, Ministry of Nutural Resources and Environment -Vietnam. Vietnam District Territory [dataset]. Accessed 2025.
Name
Credit distribution of ECEC teacher training programs by institution
Note
Filename: Appendix.xlsx (B7). This data was shared by selected teacher training institutions (TTIs) upon request from the authors. Only the intermediate data tables compiled by the authors are included in the package. For more details, see README file.
Access policy
Data access was granted directly to the study authors by the data owners/managers. It is included in the package in a processed form.
License
Custom license
Citation
Authors' compilation. 2026. Credit distribution of ECEC teacher training programs by institutions [dataset]. Based on course outlines of 11 teacher training institutions (TTIs). Unpublished data.
Data statement
Some data is restricted and has not been included in the reproducibility package. For more details, refer to the README file.
Description
Output
Type
Working Paper
Title
Turning Promise Into Practice: Building A Coherent ECEC Workforce System In Viet Nam
Description
Policy Research Working Papers (PRWP)
Authors
| Author | Affiliation | |
|---|---|---|
| Vo Kieu Dung | World Bank | dvo@worldbank.org |
| Tracey Stormn Mcaskill | World Bank | traceymcaskillconsulting@gmail.com |
| Pham Thi Phuong Lien | World Bank | lpham4@worldbank.org |
Date of production
2026-05-27
Scope and coverage
Geographic locations
| Location | Code |
|---|---|
| Viet Nam | VNM |
Keywords
Early Childhood Education
Workforce Development
Disclaimer
Disclaimer
The materials in the reproducibility packages are distributed as they were prepared by the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this event do not necessarily reflect the views of the World Bank, the Executive Directors of the World Bank, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the materials included in the reproducibility package.
Access and rights
License
| Name | URI |
|---|---|
| MIT License | https://opensource.org/license/mit |
| World Bank IGO Rider | https://github.com/worldbank/metadata-editor/blob/main/WB-IGO-RIDER.md |
Contacts
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | |
|---|---|---|
| Vo Kieu Dung | World Bank | dvo@worldbank.org |
| Reproducibility WBG | World Bank | reproducibility@worldbank.org |
Information on metadata
Producers
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reproducibility WBG | DECDI | World Bank - Development Impact Department | Verification and preparation of metadata |
Date of Production
2026-05-27
Document version
1