Fully private schools and classes are not allowed at the general education level. The education system is being diversified to include private educational establishments at the pre-school, vocational/technical, and higher education levels. The development of a "non-public" system of education is one of the major government's objectives. "Non-public" educational institutions include: (a) semi-public establishments, managed by a public authority; operating costs are covered by student fees; (b) people-founded institutions, managed by NGOs or private associations (i.e. trade unions, youth organizations, etc.) and also charging fees; and (c) fully private educational establishments, owned and managed by private individuals.

At the end of 1994, five private higher education colleges had been established: Thang Long, Phuong Dông and Dong Do colleges in Hanoi; the College of Information and Foreign studies in Hô Chi Minh City; and Duy Tân College in Dà Nang.

In 1997, the percentage of students enrolled in non-public schools was as follows: 0.3% at the primary, 4.7% at the lower secondary, and 31.8% at the upper secondary levels.