Abstract
This study examines the impact of information transparency under the “Three Disclosures” mechanism on students’ university choice decisions in Vietnam, while investigating the mediating role of trust. Analyzing primary data collected from 338 first-year students enrolled in universities in Hanoi, the findings indicate that disclosure of educational condition commitments has a significant positive effect on both trust and university choice decisions. Disclosure of educational outcomes and graduate outputs does not directly influence choice decisions but exerts an indirect effect through trust. In contrast, financial disclosure shows no significant impact. Trust emerges as a central mechanism that translates transparency signals into students’ enrollment decisions. The findings provide empirical support for signaling theory and information asymmetry theory in the context of Vietnamese higher education and offer managerial implications for universities in effectively implementing the “Three Disclosures” policy
