Implementation of the law on national defence and security education at universities in the Mekong Delta: Current situation and solutions

In the context of university autonomy under the 2025 Law on Higher Education, implementing the 2013 Law on National Defence and Security Education at universities in the Mekong Delta has created new legal and administrative requirements. Using legal analysis, comparative methods, and practical synthesis, this article examines current implementation and identifies shortcomings in the allocation of managerial authority, the regulatory regime for seconded military officers, and financial-resource mechanisms under university autonomy. The study finds that overlaps between institutional autonomy and specialized state management may reduce organizational flexibility and create inconsistencies in implementation. It proposes legal and institutional reforms to clarify responsibilities, improve personnel and financial mechanisms, strengthen implementation effectiveness, and ensure consistency between university autonomy and the fulfilment of national defence and security education responsibilities.