Based on the general systems theory, this study uses scoping method and bibliometrics to review 874 articles published in Vietnam’s  three educational journals in 2020. The article titles and abstracts with key words “theory, leadership, governance, management, administration” are selected and reviewed. The study tends to accept the hypothesis of “doctrine abundance, scientific theory shortage” in Vietnam’s educational research. The hypothesis of under-differentiation and confusion of leadership, governance, management and administration has also been accepted with the fact that there are the majority of articles on management and a few articles on leadership, governance, administration. Other finding is that most articles focus on internal elements including professional development, teaching and learning for cognitive objectives in systems of general education and tertiary education. Therefore, this study recommends to further do research and develop theories of educational sciences for all educational systems in general and preschool education and occupational education in particular. The research subject matter needs to cover external relationships between educational systems and environments. The objectives of comprehensive education should include ethical/moral, physical, aesthetic education harmonized with cognitive education to adapt to changes in the period of economic market conditions, international integration and digitalization.