This study employs bibliometric methods to conduct an empirical analysis of 53 vocational education projects approved under the National Education Science Planning (NESP) Program between 2020 and 2024 in higher vocational institutions (HVI) across China. The aim is to reveal the current state, developmental trajectory, key characteristics, and future directions of research in higher vocational education. The findings indicate that the number and categories of approved projects are significantly influenced by national policy orientations, exhibiting notable fluctuations and overall imbalances in distribution. The geographical distribution of project-leading institutions is uneven, and the distinctive characteristics of higher vocational colleges have yet to be fully demonstrated. While the research themes increasingly align with national vocational education policies, the construction of research teams remains weak. Based on the structural analysis of the approved projects, it is recommended that HVI focus on type-based positioning, coordinate research capacity with regional development needs, optimize the allocation of research resources, concentrate on key tasks such as quality improvement and excellence cultivation, and enhance the research motivation of young faculty members. These efforts are essential for advancing vocational education research toward a new stage of high-quality development.