The ability of lecturers to self-learn plays a pivotal role in enhancing teaching quality, particularly as Vietnam’s higher education system undergoes significant transformations. This study explores the relationship between lecturers’ self-learning capabilities and student satisfaction at three major universities in Vietnam. Utilizing a quantitative survey approach, the research gathered data from 500 students and conducted correlation and linear regression analyses. The findings reveal that lecturers’ self-learning abilities have a positive and substantial impact on student satisfaction, especially regarding knowledge updates and the flexible use of teaching methods. Based on these results, the study suggests measures to improve higher education quality by fostering and promoting lecturers’ self-learning capacities.