Making online systems fit your partnership

Circular 49/2026/TT-BGDĐT · Technology and AI

The detail

1. The rule and its status

Higher/vocational institutions and technology providers must use digital systems and AI with academic accountability, verifiable learning records and data protection. In force: issued June 30, 2026; effective August 15. Official signed text, Articles 1–22.

2. Who it affects and what it means for a US school

Article 2 includes institutions, participating organizations/individuals and providers of digital/AI platforms. A US university contributing an LMS, assessment service, digital curriculum or learner data therefore needs a documented operating arrangement with its Vietnamese partner. Technology supports academic responsibility; it does not replace it or establish authorization for every program mode.

Article 6(4) requires an LMS with identity authentication, learning traces, assessment/fraud controls, retrievable and verifiable data, AI-use controls, interoperability and data-security capabilities. The institutional head must assess/accept the system before use. A familiar US platform is not automatically evidence that the Vietnamese institution has performed that acceptance.

3. What to do, by partnership model

• Recruitment: control the accuracy of digital advice and admissions-related records; clarify which institution maintains the authoritative record.
• 2+2/3+1: retain verifiable learning and assessment evidence for transferred work. Agree access, retention and correction procedures when records move between institutions.
• Dual degree/joint program: assign responsibility for LMS acceptance, assessment records, academic integrity, student support and the authoritative results used by each issuer.
• Online/blended: demonstrate the Article 6 LMS functions and Article 7 assessment safeguards, including retrievable assessment results and review mechanisms. Apply mode, approval and recognition rules separately; Article 6's list of technology-assisted methods is not permission to offer an otherwise prohibited degree mode.
• Branch campus: integrate digital delivery with its licensed scope and Decree 361 Article 23(2), as well as the circular's technology conditions.

Article 17 requires defined data responsibilities, access controls, traceability, backup/recovery and security measures. Article 18 requires internal technology rules, including AI conduct and controls. The parties should map hosting, vendors and cross-border data use against the separate data/privacy laws; this page does not certify compliance with those laws. These contract checks operationalize the circular, rather than create new statutory exemptions.

4. Change history

Article 22 ends Circulars 15/2018 and 30/2023 from August 15. Signed final page 15 identifies both older instruments. The earlier online-technology checklist should not be described as the full current rule. This circular also cites education-data Decree 88/2026. Check the applicable privacy and AI implementing rules for the program’s systems and data flows.

5. Sources and verification

Official Vietnamese PDF · Government register

Last verified: 2026-10-22. English explanation; the official Vietnamese text controls.

6. Related pages

Online/blended rules · Recognition · Program standards · University Atlas · ASU cooperation case.

7. Briefing and legal note

Not legal advice. Prepare a briefing with a USVN senior advisor using the actual platform, assessment design, data flow and award issuer to identify the evidence and specialist review required.

For general information only, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with qualified counsel and the relevant Vietnamese authorities before acting.