The given analysis uses the exploratory factor analysis approach to identify the underlying relationships between measured variables of university autonomy in the Vietnamese higher education system. The findings reveal that although measured variables positively impact the degree of university autonomy across Vietnam’s public higher education institutions, it differs across variables. While the executive and governing bodies have a restricted influence on organizational autonomy, they have been granted more power related to autonomous rights in academic autonomy. Although higher education institutions have been given decisions on developing their programs and curricula, its excellence has not yet met the requirements of the economy in the context of industrial revolution 4.0. Meanwhile, financial autonomy is another issue that needs to be revised as policies on financial autonomy in Vietnam differ from the rest of the world. Based on the restrictions of current policies on university autonomy in Vietnam, the paper then recommends solutions for a better Vietnam’s tertiary education in the coming period.
