Groundbreaking ceremonies took place from 8 to 8.30 am on Thursday across 121 sites in 17 provinces and cities, broadcast live on VTV1 of Vietnam Television.
The central event was held at Dong Dang Primary and Lower Secondary Boarding School in Lang Son Province, attended by Party General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
The projects correspond to 121 land border communes in provinces including Cao Bang, Lang Son, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Hue, Quang Ngai, Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Tay Ninh, Dong Thap and An Giang.
Total investment is estimated at about VND 30 trillion (about USD 1.14 billion), with the central budget covering roughly VND 28 trillion and local authorities funding the remainder.
Addressing the event, To Lam reaffirmed that education and science and technology remain top national priorities, urging faster implementation while ensuring quality, efficiency and effective oversight.
He said the schools should serve as a safe and supportive second home for students, with adequate facilities for accommodation, daily life, safety and transport.
He also highlighted progress in introducing a unified national textbook system and improving students’ intellectual and physical development, stressing the need to ensure access to education from pre-school to grade 12.
To Lam called on contractors and supervisors to maintain high construction standards and safety, describing the projects as a key responsibility to border communities.
Pham Minh Chinh said the initiative reflects the government’s focus on improving education for ethnic minority students and those in remote border areas.
The schools aim to expand access to education from pre-school to grade 12, with the Ministry of Education and Training tasked with ensuring sufficient teachers and curricula.
The programme is part of a broader plan to build boarding schools in 248 border communes, with all 121 projects expected to be completed and operational by the 2027-2028 academic year.
Earlier, 108 similar schools were fast-tracked and put into use from the 2024-2025 academic year.
Deputy prime ministers also attended groundbreaking ceremonies nationwide, including projects in An Giang, Nghe An, Cao Bang and Lao Cai.
In Cao Bang, Xuan Truong Primary and Lower Secondary Boarding School project will include 27 classrooms for up to 925 students, with investment of VND 283 billion.
In Lao Cai, Ban Lau Primary and Lower Secondary Boarding School project, costing VND 230 billion, will accommodate around 980 students and is expected to be completed by the start of the 2027-2028 academic year.