Preschool Education in Australia and Vietnam

When I was studying towards my kindergarten degree at Monash University, one of the assessments required us to research universal access to preschool education and compare two countries. We had to analyse where Australia sits in this regard and offer suggestions. During this research, I examined early childhood education in Vietnam and discovered how different the approach to pre-formal school education could be.

Let’s look at both similarities and differences in early childhood education approaches in Vietnam and Australia.

Overview of Preschool in Vietnam

In Vietnam, early childhood education is categorised into two main types –

• Nurseries (Nhà trẻ) for children aged 3 months to 3 years.
• Kindergartens (Mẫu giáo) for children aged 3 to 5 years. Children start school at 6 in Vietnam.

Fun fact: in Hoi An, children would not go to school, if the weather is too cold – under 13 degrees C, as they travel to school on motorbikes (Honda is the king), it may be too chilly for them to travel.

In the private preschool, the day typically includes more structured learning segments, a wider range of extracurricular activities, and smaller class sizes. Private centres generally maintain close communication with parents, often using digital apps for updates, photos, and feedback.

I had a chat with one of our Vietmanese guides – Win , while travelling to Vietnam. Win’s wife works at the only Montessori kindergarten in Hoi An. It’s very popular model (Montessori), as it is new method in Vietnam. But the salary of the teacher is still low. The public kinder cost is about 140-160$ per semester – plus extra fees – uniform , excursions . Private is much more expensive, than public kindergarten. These centres often blend the national curriculum with international elements, integrating Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or play-based approaches. Some centres focus on bilingual education, introducing English language skills alongside Vietnamese. Vietnamese people are ready to pay for English as additional language in preschool more.

The kindergarten get closed when it’s 13-14 degrees as Vietnamese parents take children to childcare by scooters. I saw a lot of babies on the motobike in little jackets when it was still 25 degrees outside 6 months childcare 30-40percent of the teachers salary. Grandparents look after your child , also for emergencies neighbours can look after children . They also have home-based centres similar to Australian FDC or Family day care. Home-based centre will generally accommodates infants and toddlers up to 3 years old. Small-scale settings with a caregiver, usually run from private homes. Caregivers focus on basic care, safety, and play-based activities, fostering a warm, family-like environment. 

Preschool education is not compulsory in Vietnam. However, the government has made significant strides towards universal access, especially for 5-year-olds, to ensure readiness for primary education. By 2019, 99.4% of 5-year-olds attended preschool, reflecting the success of these initiatives (ECE Accelerator).

Duc (Vietnamese father and a tour guide): in rural and ethnic minority areas, kindergartens and childcare centres are often community-driven, operating in local village facilities. This approach ensures the curriculum aligns with the local community’s cultural practices and lifestyles.  In the villages , in the North, we encourage people to have less children ( mountains – poor areas) 1.3 children per family 100000 millions people Welfare in Vietnam is not good . University you can get in for free; but you have to pay for some highly sought professions, like medicine, science, IT.

The curriculum emphasises play-based learning, which is similar to Australian education. It focuses on activities that promote cognitive, physical, and social development, including music, art, physical play, and storytelling. Both state-run and private institutions offer these programs, with state-run kindergartens accounting for approximately half of Vietnam’s preschool system (Education Destination Asia).

Overview of Preschool in Australia

In Australia, the term “preschool” refers to early childhood education programs for children in the year before they start formal schooling. These programs are known as preschools, kindergartens, or early learning centres, depending on the state or territory (Raising Children).

As you probably know, preschool is not compulsory, but the government provides funding to support access. Children typically attend preschool at 4 years of age, with some programs available for 3-year-olds. In Victoria , this commitment to universal access is very strong. The curriculum is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), which focuses on play-based learning to foster children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development (ACECQA). There is a strong focus on nature pedagogies, child safety, inclusion and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.

Comparison Between Vietnam and Australia

Both countries recognise the importance of early childhood education and utilise play-based curricula to support children’s development.

Let’s talk about key differences

• Neither country mandates preschool attendance. However, Vietnam has achieved a higher rate of universal access for 5-year-olds through government initiatives (ECE Accelerator).
• Australia’s EYLF provides a national framework emphasising outcomes like belonging, being, and becoming. Vietnam’s curriculum also focuses on holistic development but may have different thematic emphases reflective of its cultural context. For example, in Vietnam, there is a strong focus on international school programs and these preschools cost more, they cater for smaller classes and follow international frameworks like the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) or the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) from the UK. English is usually the primary language of instruction, with Vietnamese as a secondary language. The routine is diverse, including structured learning, outdoor exploration, art, music, and physical education. There’s a greater emphasis on multicultural understanding and global awareness. International preschools often have more advanced facilities, such as swimming pools, libraries, and indoor gyms, aiming to develop a wide range of skills.  

Vietnam’s early childhood education system combines strong cultural values, government support, and international pedagogies, making it unique and responsive to the country’s cultural context and educational goals. This blend supports not only cognitive skills but also emotional and cultural development, setting it apart from more uniform models seen elsewhere. Vietnam’s kindergartens and childcare centres feature several unique activities rooted in the country’s traditions, culture, and local way of life.

Traditional Folk Games (Trò Chơi Dân Gian) – Children play games like Ô ăn quan (Mandarin Square Capturing), Rồng rắn lên mây (The Dragon-Snake Game), and Nhảy dây (Jump Rope). These games promote coordination, teamwork, and problem-solving while teaching children about traditional Vietnamese culture and values. Teachers introduce these folk games during outdoor play sessions, often accompanied by singing traditional songs.

Water Puppetry (Múa Rối Nước) Exposure – Teachers sometimes use water puppetry to introduce children to traditional Vietnamese legends, historical events, and cultural stories. In some kindergartens, children may have opportunities to create simple puppets and try basic puppetry, giving them hands-on experience of this art form. This centuries-old art form has deep cultural significance in Vietnam and offers a unique way for children to engage with traditional stories and folklore.

Lunar New Year (Tết) Celebration Activities

As part of the Tet celebration, children participate in making Bánh chưng, a traditional sticky rice cake wrapped in banana leaves. This activity teaches them about the importance of the Lunar New Year and cultural symbols of prosperity. Some centres offer lion dance workshops, where children learn basic dance movements and enjoy performances as part of Tet celebrations. During Tet, children engage in traditional Tet games and participate in calligraphy sessions, learning to write lucky words in Vietnamese script.

Bamboo Dance (Múa Sạp) – Children try the Múa sạp, a bamboo dance where they must jump rhythmically between two moving bamboo poles held by others. It’s a popular activity during cultural festivals in kindergartens. The dance enhances children’s physical coordination, rhythm, and teamwork, while also immersing them in a traditional Vietnamese celebration. Here is an example

Silkworm Raising and Sericulture Lessons. Some kindergartens, particularly in silk-producing regions, introduce children to sericulture by letting them observe silkworms growing and spinning cocoons. This activity connects children to local traditions and natural processes, highlighting the significance of silk production in Vietnamese culture.

Planting Rice. In rural kindergartens, children often have a chance to participate in rice planting activities, learning the traditional ways of preparing the soil and planting rice seedlings. In some areas, children may also engage in planting vegetables or herbs in school gardens, which teaches them about agriculture, food production, and nature. These activities provide children with a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s agrarian roots and the role of rice as a cultural staple.

Kite-making is a popular activity, especially in coastal regions. Children learn to make traditional Vietnamese kites using bamboo frames and colourful paper or cloth. : After making their kites, children often participate in kite-flying events, celebrating the Vietnamese tradition of kite flying, which symbolises freedom and joy.

These unique activities highlight Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage, connecting children to traditional practices, arts, and values, while also promoting practical skills, cultural awareness, and community participation.

As a teacher, I think it makes a lot of sense and aligns with Vygotsky theory of development – children learn what community needs, the skills are culturally appropriate and they shape the curriculum of early childhood centres.