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A Tasty Proposition: Hanoi Serves Up $115 Million for Free School Lunches

22 June, 2025

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Hanoi to Spend $115 Million on School Lunches for Primary Students

Students enjoying lunch at Hop Thanh B Primary School, My Duc District, Hanoi. Source: Kinh Te & Do Thi Newspaper

The Hanoi municipal government is taking a significant step towards supporting its youngest citizens by allocating a substantial sum of VND3 trillion (approximately $115 million) for providing lunches to primary school students during the 2025-2026 academic year. This initiative underscores the city’s commitment to ensuring the well-being and educational success of its youth.

Under this plan, each student in the mountainous regions and Red River islet communes is projected to receive VND30,000 ($1.15) per meal. Meanwhile, their peers in more developed areas will receive two-thirds of that amount. This disparity aims to address the varying economic conditions across the city and ensure that those in less privileged areas receive additional support.

The policy is designed to ease the financial burden on families, particularly those facing economic challenges. With an estimated enrollment of 768,000 students in Hanoi’s public and private primary schools, the total cost of this initiative is estimated to reach VND3 trillion ($115 million). Of this amount, VND2.8 trillion ($107 million) will be allocated to public schools, with the remaining funds benefiting private school students.

It’s important to note that primary students enrolled in foreign-funded schools will not be included in this policy, as their families are assumed to have the financial means to provide school meals.

This meal funding proposal resonates with the concerns of parents and education experts who advocate for the benefits of free school lunches. These meals not only provide better nutrition and contribute to children’s health but also enable them to focus better in class. Additionally, tuition-free education alleviates economic stress on families.

A minimum daily meal cost of VND30,000 ($1.15) is considered sufficient to guarantee meal quality and essential nutrition. In rural and suburban areas, where daily meal costs often fall below this threshold, the policy takes on even greater significance.

Nguyen Thi Mai, a mother of two primary school children living in a Red River sandbank area, shared her relief, saying, “It would ease the financial pressure for parents like us, especially in difficult times.”

The story of Nguyen Thi Ha, a grandmother from Chuong My District, highlights another aspect of the policy’s impact. With three grandchildren, two of whom are in secondary school and one in primary school, the daily commute for lunch is a challenge. “If the school could provide lunch, it would be a huge relief,” she expressed.

The principal of Hop Thanh B Primary School in My Duc District, Nguyen Thi Nhu Hoa, also welcomed the initiative. Currently, only 60 out of 670 students are enrolled in the school’s lunch program due to financial constraints. With the new policy, she anticipates a significant increase in the number of students opting to stay for lunch.

General Secretary To Lam, who initially proposed the idea, highlighted Hanoi’s strong financial position, stating that with a projected first-quarter revenue of VND250 trillion ($9.5 billion) in 2025, the city is more than capable of implementing this initiative.

However, experts and teachers emphasize the need for a clear and well-structured roadmap to ensure the success of the free lunch scheme. Infrastructure, staffing, and budgeting must be carefully considered to meet safety and nutrition standards and avoid rushed and inefficient implementation.

Le Viet Khuyen, from the Vietnam Association for Learning Promotion, commended the initiative, stating that many developed countries recognize school meals as an essential component of educational welfare. With Hanoi’s robust fiscal position, it is well-positioned to lead the way in this regard.

Associate Professor Tran Xuan Nhi, former Deputy Minister of Education and Training, praised the proposal as a humanitarian step and encouraged Hanoi to manage funds efficiently, curb waste, and fight corruption. With proper synchronization, the city will not only provide meals for students but also waive tuition and enhance education quality.

The success of this initiative in Hanoi could set a precedent for similar programs nationwide, improving the well-being and educational outcomes of primary school students across Vietnam.