Vietnam education reforms proposed for admissions and exams

Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training is proposing several major reforms to the national education system. For university admissions in 2027, the Ministry plans to reduce the number of admission methods from 19 to 11 to standardize the process and reduce overlap. This includes the potential removal of IELTS scores and excellence awards as bonus points.

Regarding secondary education, a new proposal suggests reducing the grade 10 entrance examination to only two subjects: Mathematics and Literature. While some parents welcome the reduced pressure, educators and students have expressed concerns regarding increased competition in these two subjects and the potential neglect of English proficiency.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the Department of Education and Training has issued new regulations requiring parental consent for extracurricular activities to ensure student safety and transparency. Additionally, the city is undergoing a significant restructuring of its vocational education network, aiming to reduce the number of public colleges and intermediate schools by approximately 50% through mergers and reassignments.