Ha Noi tightens food safety standards for school day-boarding meals
VGP - Ha Noi is stepping up oversight of school meals to ensure strict compliance with food safety regulations, following a new directive issued Thursday by Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh.
Pupils enjoy their day-boarding meal at a primary school in Ha Noi
Under the directive, the Department of Education and Training, along with People’s Committees at the ward and commune levels, must carefully select meal providers capable of supplying safe, high-quality ingredients. All schools are required to comply fully with regulations on catering and meal services.
“They will be held fully accountable if food safety violations occur in school kitchens under their jurisdiction,” the directive stated. Thanh also warned that heads of departments and local authorities will face disciplinary action if they fail to enforce citywide food safety rules and instructions from the municipal Food Safety Steering Committee.
The Department of Health reported that nearly 2,200 public schools in the capital currently serve day-boarding meals under three models: on-site cooking, joint preparation with outside partners, or contracted catering services.
To tighten oversight, the Department of Health has advised the Food Safety Steering Committee to issue detailed guidance on safety standards for suppliers and schools. Inter-agency inspection teams have also been set up to conduct random checks and impose penalties on violators.
The Department of Education and Training has directed schools to strengthen the management of canteens and meal provision. All food supplied to schools must be covered by legal contracts and invoices clearly identifying origins and sources. Only certified suppliers and producers with valid food safety certificates will be allowed to provide ingredients or meals.
The directive makes clear that untraceable, expired, or substandard food will not be tolerated. By tightening accountability and inspection measures, city authorities aim to reassure parents that children’s health and safety remain a top priority.
Over 770,000 primary pupils receive subsidized lunches in 2025–2026 school year
Ha Noi targets to provide daily subsidized lunches for about 770,000 primary school students in the 2025–2026 academic year, under a newly approved policy designed to ease financial pressures on families and improve student welfare.
The policy, endorsed by the municipal People's Council on July 9, applies to both public and private schools, excluding foreign-invested institutions. Backed by a budget of VND3.1 trillion (US$120 million) from the city, it marks a major step toward advancing child welfare and educational equity.
Students in remote areas will receive a daily subsidy of VND30,000 (US$1.17), while those in other districts will be supported with VND20,000 (US$0.78). The allowance will be provided for up to nine months of the school year. Families will cover any costs beyond the subsidy if lunch prices exceed VND30,000.
Of the total budget, VND2.8 trillion (US$110 million) is earmarked for public schools and VND240 billion (US$9 million) for eligible private ones.
For many working-class families, the support offers meaningful relief. "Despite its small amount, thirty thousand dong makes a big difference for families like mine. It shows we are seen, and that our children matter," said Nguyen Thi Huyen, a self-employed garment worker.
The city has stressed that food safety and quality will remain a top priority. The Ha Noi Department of Education and Training will issue detailed guidelines requiring schools to partner with licensed suppliers and meet strict hygiene and nutrition standards. Oversight mechanisms will ensure transparency and accountability.
Educators see the policy as more than financial aid—it sends a strong message about care and inclusion. "In a big city, we often talk about construction and growth. But this is about building trust. When the city ensures a basic meal, it reassures families that their children's education is being taken seriously," said a primary school principal in Dong Da District.
The initiative complements broader national efforts to break down economic barriers in education, including the Politburo's policy to waive tuition fees for all public school students.
In recent years, Ha Noi has prioritized child-focused policies, such as expanding school infrastructure, providing digital learning tools, and offering free health checkups. The new lunch program adds a practical layer of support, ensuring children have access not just to education, but also to a daily nutritious meal.
As the new school year approaches, families and schools alike are preparing for what may seem a modest change—but one that promises a warm lunch each day and a deeper sense of care from the city they call home./.
