Under a draft policy being consulted on by the city government, eligible pupils would receive VND 40,000 (USD 1.5) per day for school lunches from the 2026-2027 academic year, up from the current VND 30,000.
The higher subsidy would apply to pupils from ethnic minority and low-income families, as well as orphans, children with disabilities and other social welfare beneficiaries.
Other primary school pupils attending public and domestic private schools in Hanoi would receive VND 28,000 per day.
Parents would be required to cover any difference if schools and families agree on meal costs above the government subsidy level, with a minimum meal value of VND40,000 per pupil per day.
The support programme would cover up to nine months per academic year and be funded from the state budget.
Hanoi estimates that nearly 748,000 primary school pupils will be enrolled in the 2026-2027 academic year, including about 650,000 boarding pupils eligible for lunch support.
The city has proposed allocating more than VND 3.6 trillion for the programme.
Hanoi introduced lunch subsidies for primary school pupils in the 2025-2026 academic year, with a budget of more than VND 2.5 trillion.
City authorities said the policy had helped improve students' nutrition, concentration and overall wellbeing, while also encouraging healthy eating habits and social skills.
