Managing Entrepreneurship Education for Vocational College Students: A Case Study in Vietnam's Mekong Delta Region

Background/purpose. Entrepreneurship education plays a vital role in equipping vocational college students with the skills, mindset, and confidence necessary for self-employment, innovation, and adaptability in a dynamic labor market. In response to Vietnam’s national strategy to foster innovation and employment through entrepreneurship, this study examines the current state and management of entrepreneurship education in vocational colleges across the Mekong Delta region. Materials/methods. A quantitative survey design was employed to collect data from 250 managers and lecturers, along with 650 students across 11 vocational colleges in the Mekong Delta. The study systematically investigated key dimensions of entrepreneurship education, including perceptions, implementation practices, managerial functions, and influencing contextual factors. Results. Findings indicate that entrepreneurship education is highly valued and effectively implemented in terms of content and objectives. However, moderate ratings were observed for methods, forms of entrepreneurship education, and management practices, signaling areas for development. Additionally, institutional support, faculty preparedness, and students’ socioeconomic backgrounds were found to significantly influence educational outcomes. Conclusion. The study highlights the need for pedagogical innovation, faculty development, and context-specific strategies to enhance entrepreneurship education in vocational institutions. These findings offer evidence-based insights to support policy formulation, institutional planning, capacity building, continuous improvement, and university-industry-government cooperation in alignment with Vietnam’s vocational education reform objectives