Google for Education – Scaling Nationwide Adoption in Vietnam (2022–2024)

Ha Tran
Sep 4
3 min read

Situation

Google for Education (GfE) had been present in Vietnam for over six years through pilot programs in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho. While these pilots were well received, adoption remained limited and fragmented.
Despite Vietnam's extensive decentralized education system, which includes 63 provinces, over 27,000 K–12 schools, nearly 1 million teachers, and 18 million students, awareness and adoption of Google for Education (GfE) tools remain low. Reports from the Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences (VNIES, 2023) indicate that although teachers and students are familiar with technology, the use of specialized tools like Google Workspace is inconsistent and lacks coordination.

Meeting with the Ministry of Education to review progress and share results of Google for Education’s nationwide adoption, aligning with Vietnam’s digital transformation agenda and reinforcing long-term partnerships that impact millions of teachers and students

Task

Initiated, restructured and executed the Go-to-Market strategy for Vietnam to move GfE from scattered pilots into a nationally recognized and widely adopted solution, aligned with Vietnam’s Digital Transformation Vision 2030.

Objectives include:

Establish National Presence & Trust – Move beyond a pilot image to position GfE as a trusted, long-term partner for the Ministry of Education and key stakeholders in Vietnam’s digital transformation journey.
Drive Sustainable Adoption through Localization – Tailor GfE’s tools, training, and messaging to fit the needs of Vietnamese teachers and align with the country’s education priorities.
Strengthen Strategic Partnerships – Collaborate with government, OEMs, and the wider education ecosystem to ensure scalability and sustained impact.

Action

Government Engagement & Strategic Partnerships: Expanded relationships with the Ministry of Education and provincial Departments of Education, formalizing commitments to support long-term implementation
Ecosystem and OEM Collaboration: Partnered with global OEMs and retail networks to boost visibility of Chromebooks and co-run education campaigns
Localization and Teacher Empowerment: Localized training content and communication, while scaling teacher training and building Google Educator Groups (GEGs) to drive peer-led adoption

Result

Market Expansion: Significantly broadened provincial partnerships, creating a credible national footprint
User Growth: Nationwide adoption of GfE accelerated rapidly, with user numbers multiplying in just two years
Community Impact: Teachers reported greater efficiency and confidence using technology, while students engaged more actively and found learning more enjoyable (as reflected in findings from the Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences, 2023 – see attached report in Resources)
National Presence: Featured at major education digital transformation events, engaging thousands of school leaders and educators.

Key Takeaway

Vietnam’s case proves that large-scale EdTech adoption is less about product features and more about ecosystem design: policy alignment, localization, and empowering teachers as change agents. This approach turned fragmented pilots into a credible nationwide footprint within two years.

Resources

Independent research by the Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences (VNIES, 2023) highlighted positive impacts of Google for Education solutions in Vietnam’s classrooms, including improved collaboration, higher student engagement, and time savings for teachers

This inspiring video showcases the impact of the Digital School model at Hoa Lu School in Thu Duc City, Vietnam. It highlights how Google Workspace and Chromebooks are transforming teaching and enhancing student engagement. Educators and students share testimonials about how these tools save time, boost collaboration, and elevate learning experiences. Explore a future where technology empowers and makes learning enjoyable!

In Vietnam, Google for Education has been introduced with the "Google Digital School" model, a full-featured application of Google Workspace for Education tools in teaching and learning, Google Educator certification and training courses for teachers, and administrators are also trained to achieve maximum efficiency in system administration, especially ChromeOS operating system administration for classrooms using Chromebooks in teaching and learning for all subjects.

Shaping the Future of Digital Learning in Vietnam. This event was more than just a launch; it was an opportunity to create spaces in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City where educators, edtech companies, and education managers could unite. Together, we raised our voices to empower Vietnamese students to navigate and master the digital world.