Amidst global economic uncertainty, the Vietnam EdTech sector has emerged as a shining beacon, drawing substantial investment and attention. The Vietnamese education sector reported a record-breaking 107% increase in funding compared to the previous year, totaling approximately US$67 million.
Vietnam’s vibrant EdTech landscape has captivated investors and drawn a wave of innovative businesses eager to carve out their space in this rapidly growing market. As these companies strive to establish a strong foothold, they must navigate the landscape, and identify key players, market trends, and potential customers.
Thus, this article will delve into the current EdTech landscape in Vietnam, exploring the latest trends and uncovering the exciting opportunities that await those ready to take the plunge.
Vietnam Education Landscape
Vietnam’s Education landscape sector at a glance
Vietnam’s education and training sector has seen notable strides. It contributed 3.92% to the country’s GDP in 2023 and is projected to achieve total revenues of US$34.03 million by 2029.
The country currently has around 26,000 general education schools (spanning primary to high school levels), 1,888 vocational training centers, and 650 higher education institutions. Notably, there has been a 5% growth in new international schools between 2022 and 2024, indicating a growing demand for better education quality and infrastructure.
With increased disposable income, Vietnamese families are now more willing than ever to invest significantly in their children’s education, seeking high-quality schools, specialized tutoring, and international curricula.
Additionally, Vietnam is grappling with a skilled talent shortage, prompting increased government investment in education to bridge this gap. At the same time, robust technological and managerial capabilities are needed to prevent falling into the middle-income trap. Thus, EdTech is pivotal in raising education standards and transforming teaching methodologies.
Vietnam EdTech Market Outlook
Vietnam EdTech market is gaining momentum
With the market projected to reach an impressive US$364.70 million in 2024, it is poised for an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 11.46% from 2024 to 2029. Last year, approximately 70 investment funds injected over $400 million into Vietnamese EdTech startups, with Singapore emerging as the most active investor.
This surge in funding not only positions Vietnam among the fastest-growing EdTech markets globally but also signals a promising future for the sector’s development. The influx of capital is enabling startups to innovate, scale, and expand their offerings, catering to the diverse educational needs of Vietnam’s young and tech-savvy population. From online learning platforms to AI-driven educational tools, Vietnamese EdTech companies are leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance learning experiences and outcomes.
Moreover, the Vietnamese government’s supportive policies and initiatives aimed at promoting digital transformation in education further bolster the sector’s growth. As the demand for quality education continues to rise, coupled with the increasing adoption of technology, Vietnam’s EdTech market is not just thriving but is also ripe with opportunities for both local and international investors looking to tap into this dynamic and rapidly evolving industry.
More insights: Leading sectors in Vietnam for market expansion and business investment
Key Opportunities In Edtech Vietnam
Digitalization Demand For Educational Institutes
EdTech Vietnam: Digitalization demand for educational institutes
In response to the growing demand for higher-quality education in Vietnam and the government’s commitment to advancing digital transformation in the sector, educational institutions are rapidly embracing EdTech solutions.
Schools and training centers across all levels are adopting digital learning platforms, upgrading IT infrastructure, integrating VR/AR technology, and promoting the use of technology in academic activities.
This shift, combined with students’ increasing proficiency in digital tools—thanks to the widespread use of mobile devices and high-speed internet—has significantly accelerated the adoption of EdTech in Vietnam.
Online Learning Demand
Vietnam EdTech: The use of technology by students for their learning
The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed the widespread acceptance of online learning in Vietnam, transforming not only students’ attitudes but also their parents’ perspectives. Once skeptical of internet-based education, Vietnamese parents are now embracing digital learning and actively supporting their children in pursuing online tutoring and supplementary programs.
At the university level, institutions are increasingly offering diverse programs, including distance learning, hybrid courses, and MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). As a result, it is contributing to the expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.63% for Vietnam’s higher education sector from 2024 to 2032.
Similarly, companies are recognizing online training as a strategic approach to meet employees’ growing desire for upskilling and professional development. A popular initiative involves offering online tuition reimbursement, enabling employees to take courses on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Codecademy, allowing them to learn flexibly without interrupting their work schedules.
Government Incentive Support
The Vietnamese government is focused on promoting administrative reform alongside digital transformation, implementing online public services in education and training, and developing a comprehensive database for the education sector.
During a review conference led by Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son, he emphasized that 2024 marks a pivotal year for innovation in general education, with the guiding principles of “Determination – Practicality – Quality – Spread.”
Additionally, there is a strong focus on vocational training, with prioritized investments aimed at driving continued innovation, development, and enhancement of educational quality. The Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam has set ambitious goals, aiming to attract 50-55% of high school students into the vocational education system by 2030, provide regular training for approximately 50% of the workforce, and establish around 90 high-quality vocational education institutions.
In pursuit of these strategic objectives, the Vietnamese government is actively encouraging the adoption of innovative global solutions and attracting foreign investment to foster significant growth in the sectors of EdTech Vietnam.
EdTech Vietnam – Leading Sectors and Key Players
EdTech Vietnam: Leading sectors & Key players
Vietnam EdTech Sub-sector – K-12 Education
EdTech Vietnam is home to over 197 K-12 startups, accounting for more than 61% of the overall startup ecosystem in the country. The K-12 sector is dedicated to deploying a variety of technological solutions and initiatives aimed at improving education from kindergarten through grade 12.
With students constituting about 5.55% of the population (17.6 million), there is substantial demand and focus on enhancing educational methods and experiences through technology. As a result, the sector is receiving considerable attention and investment aimed at integrating advanced technological tools and platforms to make learning more engaging, effective, and personalized.
K-12 Education – Top Players
Vuihoc.vn
Vuihoc.vn is one of the first and leading online education services that provide interactive classes for students ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade in Vietnam. The firm serves over 5 million users, hosts 1,000 daily classes, and offers 400,000 learning resources and materials.
After securing $6 million in a recent funding round, Vuihoc.vn is strategically investing in The IELTS Workshop to establish a strong presence in Vietnam’s expanding test preparation market.
Edupia
As a Vietnam-based EdTech startup, Edupia offers live classes and personalized tutoring services, reaching over 5 million users and 400,000 paying students. With US$24 million in total funding, the platform continues to adopt innovative teaching methodologies to strengthen its presence in Vietnam and extend its services to students in Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar.
TEKY
Teky is the pioneering and sole STEM system offering training institutes and technology programs designed for children, preparing them for the advancements of the 21st century and the era of Industry 4.0.
With a fresh US$ 5 million investment from Sweef Capital, TEKY is set to broaden its educational offerings in public schools and after-school programs for children aged five to 18.
Vietnam EdTech Sub-sector – Foreign Language Learning
As globalization advances, the Vietnamese government and its citizens recognize the strategic value of foreign language proficiency in expanding job opportunities and advancing career prospects. As a result, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have a combined total of 1,917 officially licensed language training centers.
This has also led to a growing demand for improved educational platforms and services for foreign language learning, creating significant growth opportunities for the EdTech sector as educational technology evolves to meet these needs.
Foreign Language Learning – Top Players
Duolingo
Renowned for its user-friendly mobile app, web-based lessons, and creative approach, Duolingo has become the world’s most popular language-learning app. The platform offers 98 courses across 40+ languages, incorporating quizzes, exercises, and rewards to make learning both fun and engaging.
In Vietnam, Duolingo is highly favored over other language-learning platforms. As of 2023, it has garnered approximately 10 million downloads.
ELSA Speak
ELSA Speak enables users to select or create their conversation scenarios based on system suggestions and recommends personalized learning paths. The app has been downloaded 54 million times worldwide across 234 countries and ranks second in Vietnam, just behind Duolingo.
Beyond its cutting-edge features, Elsa Speak incorporates AI to deliver a 24/7 personal English tutor for millions of learners across Vietnam and all around the world.
NativeX
NativeX is a comprehensive and unified English learning platform designed for working professionals. Employing a scientific data-driven approach, the platform delivers an effective learning experience for adults with time or location constraints.
Early in 2024, NativeX successfully raised $4 million in total funding within just eight months of its launch, this will advance its mission to transform English learning for 10 million people in Vietnam.
Vietnam EdTech Sub-sector – Enterprise Training
The enterprise training market is shifting focus towards e-learning solutions to enhance vocational skills and address job requirements, with key areas including industry-specific expertise, operational processes, digital transformation, language proficiency, project management, and leadership skills.
Enterprise Training – Top Players
VietED
VietED offers high-quality digital transformation solutions for training, swiftly digitalizing the education sector for businesses and educational institutions.
Leveraging its team of experts, VietEd provides substantial value to large enterprises by offering comprehensive and consistent training solutions designed for extensive and recurring needs.
Amber Online Education
Amber Online Education excels in delivering B2B online training and digital content solutions, with a focus that goes beyond traditional e-Learning.
With a broad spectrum of programs covering onboarding, product and service standards, professional skills, and soft skills, the firm is dedicated to providing learning experiences that help businesses build a capable and agile workforce.
Hoc Vien Agile
Agile was established to be a dependable and thorough training resource for enhancing product development and management innovation.
Since 2005, they have trained over 6,000 specialists and managers, supported more than 200 organizations of varying sizes, and provided comprehensive transformation advice to over 50 businesses.
Vietnam EdTech Sub-sector – LMS and Learning Tools
The adoption of Learning Management Systems (LMS) and learning tools in Vietnam is steadily increasing, driven by digital transformation initiatives and government support. The market is expanding with a mix of local and international EdTech players, enhancing the learning experience through personalized paths, interactive content, and real-time assessments.
LMS and Learning Tools – Top Players
Edubit
Edubit offers a seamless solution for businesses to instantly create online classes under its domain name and is the sole platform in Vietnam that enables instructors to build online solutions and organize ‘virtual’ classes.
Utilizing interactive teaching methods, Edubit also offers courses in various formats, including video lessons, documents, and interactive live classrooms.
CLS – Cloud Learning System
Cloud Learning System (CLS) provides secure, reliable online training solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses across multiple sectors. Their CLS 4.0 learning management system features an array of tools, including content management, user administration, course archiving, assessment capabilities, and comprehensive reporting.
Hachium
Hachium is an online B2B SaaS platform crafted to build websites for delivering courses in video, audio, PDF, and text formats. The platform includes features like payment gateway integration, video download protection, and interactive virtual classrooms, empowering educational institutions to conduct comprehensive online education, from live interactions and assignment submissions to grading and tracking student progress.
Conclusion – Vietnam EdTech Market Is Brimming With Opportunities
Vietnam EdTech holds immense potential for growth, driven by a rapidly expanding middle class, government support, and a strong focus on improving educational quality through technology. As e-learning and digital tools become more integrated into education, the country’s EdTech sector is set to thrive, offering great opportunities for investors, startups, and technology providers. However, expanding into this new market requires careful research and strategic planning to navigate all the barriers successfully.
Firms like Datality Lab, a prominent research and data science consultancy, have opted to collaborate with Launch JDI to mitigate the risks and complexities of market expansion into Vietnam. Learn their full story here!
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