“Revolution or Forever Falling Behind?” - A Call to Reform Vietnam’s Higher Education

In the context of Vietnamese higher education facing existential challenges in terms of quality, competitiveness and leading role in national development, Dr. Le Dac Son - Chairman of the Council of Dai Nam University has launched the book "Revolution or forever falling behind?" - a work that is not only an academic work, but also a strong call for a revolution to reform Vietnamese higher education.

Dr. Le Dac Son - Chairman of the Board of Dai Nam University: "Teachers will see their image in each page of the book and know what they need to do..."

A book written with real concern

The book opens with a simple but haunting message: “We don’t start with flashy rankings or glittering numbers in the media. We start with our obsession with students: How can they graduate and be able to work right away, have a decent income and have a life they can be proud of.”

That is the voice of a teacher standing in the middle of the lecture hall today but always worried about the future of the country tomorrow. It is a reminder of the core mission of education - not to train people who are good at studying and taking exams, but to train people who are good at living, good at working, responsible and know how to create value for society.

“We don't start with flashy charts or shiny numbers in the media.

A reform idea originating from the practice of Dai Nam University

From these concerns, Dai Nam University (DNU) has initiated a silent but drastic educational revolution, with a completely new training model: Flipped classroom - AI support - Connecting with real businesses.

This is not only a change in teaching and learning methods, but also a change in thinking about the roles of teachers, students and schools in the digital age.

The teacher is no longer a “knowledge transmitter”, but becomes a trainer, activator and companion.

Students no longer have to "listen - copy - take the test", but can learn for real, do for real, and have real contact with businesses and life.

AI won't replace teachers – but it will replace teachers who refuse to change.

DNU is determined to start a quiet but drastic educational revolution, with a completely new training model: Flipped classroom - AI support - Connecting with real businesses.

A call for reform from the heart of a true educator

In “Letter to the lecturers of Dai Nam University” – the opening part of the book, Dr. Le Dac Son affirmed: “Teachers cannot stand still when students are falling behind. DNU is paving the way. And we need teachers – those who dare to innovate, dare to lead the way, dare to take the lead.”

This is not only a message to the lecturers of Dai Nam University, but also a call to the entire higher education sector in Vietnam. A call to wake up – that if we do not revolutionize today, we will be left behind tomorrow.

“If we do not start a strong reform of higher education today, tomorrow this country will be led by people who are not prepared to lead it. And that is a price that history will not forgive,” Dr. Le Dac Son emphasized.

Educational Manifesto of the Innovators

The book ends with the Educational Declaration of Dai Nam University – a simple yet moving declaration:

1. Every student, no matter what their starting point, deserves a real classroom.

2. A teacher must not only be good at speaking, but also good at making students understand, change and mature.

3. AI won't replace teachers – but it will replace teachers who refuse to change.

4. Businesses are not guests, but companions in training.

5. Education cannot be purely formalistic – it must return to real effectiveness.

“Revolution or Forever Left Behind?” - A book for those who believe that Vietnamese education deserves better and dare to start change from themselves.

For a truly modern Vietnamese university education

The book “Revolution or Forever Falling Behind?” is not only the crystallization of nearly two decades of experience, reflection and action of Dr. Le Dac Son in his role as founder of Dai Nam University, but also a compass for all teachers, managers and policy makers who are concerned with the future of Vietnamese education.

This is an invitation to engage in a radical educational reform, so that we no longer talk about “educational innovation” as a slogan, but turn it into action – starting with each classroom, each teacher, each student.

“Revolution or Forever Left Behind?” A book for those who believe that Vietnamese education deserves better – and dare to start the change from themselves.