>> Vietnam’s two biggest cities rearrange their universities

>> Living and studying space a major concern for public universities

The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) estimates that VND91 trillion (USD4.41 billion) is needed to move 80 colleges and universities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The relocation will help reduce the number of students at colleges and universities located in the city centres by two-thirds

The plan to move these facilities to the suburbs by 2025 will require VND44.8 trillion (USD2.17 billion) for relocating 40 colleges in Hanoi. The rest of the sum will go to the same purpose in Ho Chi Minh City.

The relocation programme is aimed at reducing the number of students at colleges and universities located in the city centres by two-thirds.

According to Bui Van Ga, Deputy Minister of Education and Training, five schools will be moved in each city between 2011 and 2015. Then each will relocate 10 to 15 schools between 2015 and 2025, and the remaining will be accomplished by 2025, he said.

The measure used to determine which facilities must relocate is whether they meet the spacial requirement of 45 square metres per student. This requirement takes into account not just classroom space, but dormitories and gyms. Schools that cover an area of less than two hectares, as well as those blocking infrastructure development, will also be moved.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan asked the Ministry of Construction to submit the relocation plan to the prime minister before July 10.