Vietnam prepares for 2026 high school graduation exam with strict rules

Vietnam’s national high school graduation exam (THPT) is scheduled for 11‑12 June 2026, with more than 1.2 million candidates nationwide. The Ministry of Education and Training has issued detailed guidance on identity verification: students must present a citizen ID card or passport, and if these are lost they may use alternative legal documents or sign a commitment form. Examination venues across the country, including 222 sites in Hanoi and 246 in Ho Chi Minh City, will host over 5 900 rooms and mobilise more than 18 500 staff, teachers and police to ensure security.

The exam is classified as a “top‑secret” state document. Prohibited items include mobile phones, recording devices, smart watches and any material that could facilitate cheating. Penalties are tiered: a first‑offence such as looking at another’s paper results in a 25 % deduction of the relevant test score; repeat offences trigger a 50 % deduction or suspension, and severe violations lead to a zero score and cancellation of the entire exam result. Local education authorities are also reminding students to arrive on time, use only approved stationery, and complete a five‑minute checklist of the test paper’s condition. Concurrently, many students are visiting universities such as the University of Economics‑Finance in Ho Chi Minh City to pre‑register transcript applications, aiming to secure admission options before the exam period.