VIETNAMESE HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE ERA OF GLOBAL RISE: INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES AND REFORM DIRECTIONS TOWARD 2045

Abstract

Globalization, digital transformation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution are reshaping higher education worldwide, creating urgent demands for systemic reform. This paper examines international experiences to draw lessons for the long-term development of Vietnamese higher education. The study employs a qualitative design, using document analysis of policy reports, academic publications and selected case studies from five developed countries: the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore and South Korea. The analysis focuses on five higher education models: liberal arts universities, applied universities, research universities, open-digital universities and internationalized higher education. Findings highlight the distinctive characteristics, strengths and enabling conditions of these models and distill six key lessons for Vietnam: advancing curriculum innovation; linking practice, research and industry; accelerating digital transformation; fostering internationalization; ensuring substantive university autonomy and building innovation ecosystems within institutions. These insights demonstrate that reform in Vietnam requires not only policy change but also structural, pedagogical and governance transformations. The paper concludes that adopting a comprehensive and evidence-based reform agenda to 2045 is essential for achieving sustainable development, strengthening global integration and enhancing national competitiveness in the knowledge economy.