Growing talent in Vietnam: How Trung Vuong School is preparing youth for a brighter future

In Quang Tri Province, Trung Vuong Primary, Secondary & High School is preparing students for more than exams, it is preparing them for the future. Since opening in 2010, the private K-12 school has grown to 1,200 students and 170 staff, with a strong focus on practical, career-ready learning. To support this ambition, the school partnered with PUM to strengthen STEM education , with agriculture at its core. In Vietnam, where innovation in farming, food production and sustainability is key to economic growth, this creates valuable new opportunities for young people.

Like many schools, Trung Vuong had traditionally followed a more theoretical and teacher-led model of education. While academically strong, such systems can leave students with fewer opportunities to develop problem-solving, teamwork and entrepreneurial skills valued by employers. During the project, teachers and management worked closely with PUM expert Michel Jehee. Together they worked to redesign STEM lessons for pupils aged 9 to 15, ensuring a better balance between knowledge acquisition and practical application.

From theory to practical skills

The school had already established a farm and garden for hands-on learning. These facilities now form an important foundation for experiential education, where students can apply science and technology concepts in real agricultural settings. Lessons can include soil testing, crop growth analysis, irrigation systems and sustainable farming methods.

Empowering teachers to drive change

Strong education reform depends on confident and capable teachers. Workshops were organised for both primary and secondary staff, focusing on modern teaching methods, lesson planning and ways to engage students more actively in their learning. Classroom observations and feedback sessions also enabled staff to reflect on their teaching and continuously improve.

One immediate result was the development of structured lesson plans for STEM subjects. These plans include SMART learning objectives, practical assignments and clear links between theory and practice. Teachers were encouraged to develop these plans collaboratively in small groups, promoting creativity and cross-subject integration.

Building employability and entrepreneurship

The school’s ambitions extend beyond STEM. Trung Vuong is now seeking further support to develop a practical financial literacy and youth entrepreneurship programme. Planned topics include budgeting, project finance, branding, sales, pitching ideas and using tools such as Design Thinking and the Business Model Canvas.

Michel: “These are vital employability skills. Young people who understand finance, innovation and entrepreneurship are better equipped to create opportunities for themselves, whether through employment or starting their own businesses.”

The proposed Trung Vuong Startup Club would give students a platform to test ideas, manage projects and learn how enterprises operate in practice. Such initiatives can be especially valuable in regions where youth need stronger pathways into work.

A model for the future

Trung Vuong School’s journey demonstrates how education can directly support economic development. By integrating agriculture, STEM, entrepreneurship and active learning, students gain both academic knowledge and practical competencies for the modern labour market.

With continued commitment from school leadership, teachers and external partners, this initiative has the potential to become a model for future-ready education in Vietnam. For young people in Quang Tri, that means stronger career prospects, greater confidence and more opportunities to build successful futures.