What's In a Grade 1 Textbook Set? Available Editions and How to Choose Many parents ask what a Grade 1 textbook set includes before the new school year. Today, Grade 1 textbooks come in several different approved editions, and each school announces which one it uses. This guide from Westlink guides parents through the most common editions, the required subjects, indicative prices, and how to buy the right set for their child. How Many Grade 1 Textbook Editions Are There, and Who Approves Them? There's no longer just one Grade 1 textbook set, as there used to be. Since the rollout of the 2018 General Education Curriculum, Grade 1 students now study from several editions running in parallel — a major shift from what today's parents grew up with. The Grade 1 Textbook Editions Currently in Use Every Grade 1 textbook must be approved by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET). While the initial curriculum reform introduced five options, three editions are now the most widely adopted by schools: Kết Nối Tri Thức Với Cuộc Sống ("Connecting Knowledge to Life") — Vietnam Education Publishing House Chân Trời Sáng Tạo ("Creative Horizons") — Vietnam Education Publishing House Cánh Diều ("Kite") — University of Education Publishing House, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education Publishing House, and VEPIC The remaining two editions — "Cùng Học Để Phát Triển Năng Lực" ("Learning Together to Build Competencies") and "Vì Sự Bình Đẳng Và Dân Chủ Trong Giáo Dục" ("For Equality and Democracy in Education") — are no longer widely used. So most parents only need to know these three. Tip: the approved list can be revised each school year. Check the latest version on MOET's official portal before buying. Why Does Grade 1 Have Several Different Editions? The 2018 curriculum sets a single common standard for the competencies and qualities students should reach. However, how that knowledge is presented is open to multiple editions developed in parallel. In other words, they all aim for the same destination, just by different routes. This lets teachers and local authorities choose the edition that best suits their students. For parents, it's why one school uses Edition A while another uses Edition B. No edition is "more standard" than another — all of them have passed national review. What Subjects Are Covered in a Grade 1 Textbook Set? A Grade 1 textbook set covers the required subjects and educational activities Required Subjects and Activities in a Grade 1 Textbook Set A Grade 1 textbook set covers the core subjects and educational activities. Of these, Vietnamese and Maths are the two most important foundational subjects in the first year. A set typically includes: Vietnamese 1 (usually split into 2 volumes) Maths 1 (some editions split into 2 volumes) Ethics 1 Nature and Society 1 Music 1 Art 1 Physical Education 1 Experiential Activities 1 The number of volumes varies depending on how each set is split. For example, the Kết Nối Tri Thức edition has 10 volumes, while Chân Trời Sáng Tạo and Cánh Diều usually have 9. Some sets also include an optional English subject. Companion Workbooks and Supplementary Materials Alongside the core textbooks, many publishers also release companion workbooks. This is often where parents end up spending more than they need to. The simple rule is that textbooks are compulsory, while reference materials are not. By regulation, no organisation or individual is allowed to force students to buy reference materials. Before buying, check the exact list with your child's homeroom teacher. Comparing Prices Across Grade 1 Textbook Editions Price is a genuine concern for most parents. But price is only part of the picture when choosing a textbook set for your child — understanding what each edition emphasises matters just as much. Indicative Prices by Edition (Cover Price, as of Around August 2025) The price of a Grade 1 textbook set varies depending on the number of books and the publisher. The figures below are indicative cover prices. Actual prices may vary by school year and by retailer. Textbook Edition Number of Volumes Indicative Cover Price Content Highlight Kết Nối Tri Thức Với Cuộc Sống 10 ~VND 179,000 Connects knowledge to real, everyday life Chân Trời Sáng Tạo 9 ~VND 186,000 Broadens perspective through science, art and creativity Cánh Diều 9 ~VND 199,000 (includes e-textbook) "Brings life into lessons", with a focus on experiential learning Indicative cover prices, compiled from reputable retailers as of around August 2025. Please check the current price with a bookshop or publisher at the time of purchase. What Sets the Editions Apart — What Should You Base Your Choice On? The editions mainly differ in their approach and presentation style. Some emphasise connecting knowledge to daily life. Others lean towards experience, imagery and creativity within lessons. For parents, the most practical criterion is simply whichever edition your child's school uses. Teachers will teach from the edition the school has settled on, so buying the right one always matters more than picking based on personal preference. Who Chooses the Grade 1 Textbooks, and What Should Parents Know? A common misconception is that parents choose their child's textbook edition themselves. In reality, that decision doesn't sit directly with the family. How Textbook Selection Works by Regulation (Can Parents Choose?) Textbook selection is governed by Circular No. 25/2020/TT-BGDĐT. Under this regulation, textbooks must come from the list approved by MOET, and the selection process must be conducted openly, transparently and in line with the law. In practice, this means parents don't choose the edition directly. The school is responsible for clearly informing families which edition it uses. A parent's role is simply to buy the correct Grade 1 set based on the list the school sends home. Where to Buy Grade 1 Textbooks Reliably, Without Over-Buying Parents can buy Grade 1 textbooks at major bookshops and publisher-run stores. Some reputable e-commerce platforms also have official brand stores. Many schools also help arrange group purchases based on the agreed list. To avoid over-buying, stick closely to the list the teacher sends. Prioritise buying the required textbooks first, then consider workbooks separately. When purchasing, check the edition name and publication year carefully. Do Bilingual Schools Use Grade 1 Textbooks? This is a question that gives many families pause when choosing a school. A common worry is that a child on an international pathway will lose their grounding in Vietnamese. In reality, how schools use Grade 1 textbooks isn't quite that simple. Many bilingual schools still teach the Ministry of Education's curriculum The Role of MOET Textbooks in a Bilingual Programme Primary schools in Vietnam, private schools included, all teach the Ministry of Education and Training's curriculum. This is a universal requirement, regardless of whether the school is public or private. At bilingual schools, MOET content isn't dropped. It's retained and combined alongside the international curriculum. Students still study Vietnamese, Maths and other foundational subjects to the Vietnamese standard. This means a child keeps a solid grounding in Vietnamese while studying in a bilingual environment — particularly useful if the family may need to move between school systems later on. How Westlink Combines MOET and the International Curriculum Westlink is an Authorised IB World School for the Primary Years Programme (PYP), authorised since 1 May 2024. At Primary level (Grade 1–5), the school teaches within Westlink's IB Primary framework. As with every school in Vietnam, foundational content to the Vietnamese standard remains woven into the curriculum. For families who want to keep a strong Vietnamese foundation at a higher level, Westlink offers a Bilingual Programme for Grade 6–9. According to information published by the school, the Bilingual Programme combines around 52% MOET-framework content taught in Vietnamese with 48% US-curriculum content taught in English. What does this mean for your child? Even on an international pathway, they still have access to a Vietnamese language and cultural foundation. If this kind of environment interests you, you can look into Westlink's admissions information. Checklist: Getting Your Child Ready for Grade 1 Buying the right books is only part of the journey into Grade 1. Preparing your child emotionally matters just as much. Here's what parents should start doing early. A checklist to help parents prepare books and routines for their child's start in Grade 1 Ask the homeroom teacher for the exact list of textbooks and supplies. Buy all the required textbooks first, then consider workbooks separately. Cover the books and label them with your child's name, to build good habits around looking after their things. Get your child used to sitting down to study for 15–20 minutes a day. Build good routines — early bedtime, waking up on time — before the school year starts. Talk positively about school to help your child feel excited rather than anxious on the first day. Stay gently supportive, and avoid putting pressure on grades right from Grade 1. Understanding what's in a Grade 1 textbook set helps parents prepare the right books and avoid over-buying or choosing the wrong edition. When shopping, stick to the list the school sends home, and consider workbooks separately. If your family is interested in a bilingual environment that keeps a strong Vietnamese foundation, you can look into Westlink's admissions process.
