This article aims at clarifying Đông Kinh Nghĩa Thục (Tonkin Free School)'s movement based on the perspective of educational reform. Dating back one century, the Tonkin Free School movement may have a nexus with the contemporary educational reform of Vietnam. Based on the previous research results, there are two prominent applied features of this movement. First, the Tonkin Free School proposed a educational motto for Vietnam. Second, the paradigm of organization, curriculum, and teaching methods of the movement contributed to changing all aspects of education. Thus, several lessons can be drawn from this movement: A consistent educational philosophy, changing teaching methods and topics are all necessary