High School Education System in Vietnam: A Comprehensive Overview

Vietnam's high school education system is a crucial stage in a student's academic journey, bridging the gap between basic education and higher learning or vocational training. This article provides a detailed look into the structure, curriculum, challenges, and ongoing reforms within the Vietnamese high school education system.

Administration and Structure

The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) centrally manages education in Vietnam, setting policies for all levels. At the provincial level, the Department of Education and Training manages upper secondary schools and professional secondary schools. The District Bureaus of Education and Training manage lower secondary schools and primary schools locally. Some higher education institutions are managed by government agencies or ministries.

Educational institutions in Vietnam are categorized as public and non-public. Public institutions are state-established and managed, while non-public institutions include:

People-founded educational institutions: Established by non-government organizations with state permission, funded by local communities.
Semi-public educational institutions: Established by the state and individuals, with costs covered by student fees.
Private educational institutions: Established and owned by individuals or groups with state approval.

Formal education in Vietnam consists of 12 years of basic education: 5 years of primary, 4 years of lower secondary, and 3 years of upper secondary education. The system is divided into:

Pre-primary education: Nursery and kindergarten.
General education: Primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary education.
Professional education: Professional secondary education and vocational training.
Higher education: Colleges and universities offering undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees.

General Education: Focus on Secondary Education

General education includes primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary education.

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Primary Education

Primary education is compulsory for children aged 6-11 years, covering grades 1-5. The curriculum is divided into two phases:

Phase 1 (Grades 1-3): Morality, mathematics, physical education, Vietnamese language, arts, nature, and society.
Phase 2 (Grades 4-5): Science, Vietnamese language, arts, basic techniques, mathematics, physical education, music, morality, geography, and history.

Secondary Education

General secondary education is divided into lower and upper cycles.

Lower Secondary Education

Lower secondary education lasts four years (grades 6-9), also known as Junior High School. The weekly schedule includes Vietnamese Language (Literature), Mathematics, Natural Science (Biology, Physics, Chemistry), History and Geography, Civics, Foreign Language, Physical Education, Technology, Art, Music, Optional Subjects, Class Activities and School Activities, Vocational-oriented activities, and Extra-curricular activities.

Upper Secondary Education/High School Education

Upper secondary education lasts three years (grades 10-12), preparing students for higher education or the workforce. High school or upper secondary school education consists of grades ten to twelve. There is often an entrance examination for high schooling. The score determines the schools at which students are able to enroll. All high school students in Vietnam are required to take a high school graduation exam (Kỳ thi Tốt nghiệp Trung học phổ thông), which is administered by the Ministry of Education and Training, at the end of grade 12 to get a diploma called the Graduation Diploma of General Upper Secondary Education (Bằng tốt nghiệp Trung học phổ thông). The Ministry of Education and Training announced that for the graduation examination of 2017, five papers would be included: Mathematics, Literature, Foreign language, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. Three papers are mandatory for all students: Mathematics, Literature (the only remaining essay-based exam paper which is the spiritual successor of 1075-1919 exams), and Foreign language. Foreign language exam can be one of the following: English, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Russian or Korean (since 2021). Apart from three mandatory papers, student must complete a fourth paper by choosing either natural sciences (a combination of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) or Social Sciences (a combination of History, Geography, and Civic Education).

Curriculum and Assessment

The curriculum for primary schools includes typical subjects such as Vietnamese language, math, nature and society, arts and physical education. In higher classes, and in secondary education, a foreign language (usually English, but sometimes Chinese or French), history, natural sciences, technology, music and geography are added.

Since 2015, the Universities and Colleges Selection Examination have been abolished (along with the High School Graduation Examination), to be replaced by a unified test, which is the National High School Examination (THPTQG). High school graduates need high scores to be admitted to universities. Securing a place in a public university is considered a major step in a successful career, especially for rural or otherwise disadvantaged people. The pressure on the candidates therefore remains very high, despite the measures taken to reduce the importance of these exams.

Challenges and Reforms

The education system in Vietnam still faces spatial and gender inequalities. Access to quality education, especially at lower secondary levels, is limited in remote areas. Female students and ethnic minorities also face problems accessing education and finishing school. In addition, only five years of primary school are compulsory, causing students from lower income families to opt for the workforce instead.

Vietnam is attempting to expand its education system. In 2012, estimated national budget for education was 6.3%. Public reception of the country's education system has been mixed due to its inflexible nature and its tests.

The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) plays a central role in Vietnam’s education system. It is responsible for setting the national curriculum, establishing educational standards, and overseeing the implementation of education policies across the country. MOET’s influence means that even in private or international schools, there may be some degree of adherence to the national curriculum, particularly in subjects like the Vietnamese language and history.

Teaching methods in Vietnam can be quite different from those in Western countries. However, there has been a gradual shift towards more student-centered learning, with this being more prominent in international schools.

International Schools in Vietnam

Vietnam is witnessing a significant surge in the number of international schools. According to ISC Research, the country is among the top five globally for international school growth. Vietnam’s international school sector has expanded rapidly in recent years. The appeal of international schools lies in their ability to blend academic rigor with life skills, creativity, and international qualifications.

Annual tuition fees for international schools are anywhere between USD10,000 and USD20,000. These fees do not include fees for application, registration and deposit.

Higher Education

Higher education in Vietnam is offered by public and private universities, junior colleges, and academic research institutes. From 2002 to 2014, university entrance was based on the scores achieved in the Universities and Colleges Selection Examination (TSĐHCĐ).

University system (đại học), which is a multidisciplinary institution offering fields of study and which has research capacities. The current Vietnamese government also maintains a national key university policy. This is a list of universities with high achievements and training quality, classified according to the scientific fields that the university offers.

Other post-secondary forms of education also include junior college or community colleges, professional secondary schools, and vocational schools which offer degrees or certificates. The presence of international universities are increasing. Universities such as PSB International College, RMIT, Eastern International University and University of Hawaii offer degrees in fields such as business, English as a Second Language and Information Technology.

Bachelor's degree (Vietnamese: Cử nhân): a four- to six-year program - six years for students studying medical and dental sciences; five years for students of industrial engineering; and four years for the majority of other undergraduate degrees such as Social Sciences.

Vocational Training

Professional education in Vietnam includes professional secondary education (lasting 1-2 years for upper secondary graduates and 3-4 years for lower secondary graduates) and vocational training (1-year vocational preliminary programs and 1-3 year vocational secondary college programs).

Securing a place at university with a high secondary school grade, and in addition high entrance examination marks is an essential career step, especially for young people from poor or disadvantaged communities.

The Role of Teachers

Teachers in Vietnam are highly respected by society and are seen to hold prestigious positions. There is a familial relationship when it comes to teachers and students and is seen by the terms students use to refer to their teachers.

The average monthly salary of local Vietnamese public teachers is between US$60 and US$100, so many supplement their income by moonlighting, working in the private sector or tutoring.

Internationalization and Outbound Mobility

Vietnam is currently one of the most dynamic outbound student markets worldwide. Between 1999 and 2016, the number of outbound Vietnamese degree students exploded by fully 680 percent, from 8,169 to 63,703 students (UNESCO Institute of Statistics). This drastic increase in Vietnamese mobility reflects the country’s swift economic growth, as well as of the shortcomings of its education system.

Common outbound mobility drivers, such as an emerging middle class able to afford study abroad and rapid massification of education coupled with limited access to high-quality education, are prominent in the country. Vietnam has the fastest growing middle class in Southeast Asia, projected to grow to anywhere between 33 and 44 million people by 2020, depending on the estimate.

The most popular study destinations among Vietnamese degree students include the United States, Australia, Japan, and France.

Expatriate Teachers in Vietnam

Vietnam has become a destination country for expat teachers who are in search of adventure in an affordable location. One important aspect to be aware of, however, is the educational system, as understanding the local school system is crucial for a successful and rewarding experience.

One of the most significant challenges for expat teachers in Vietnam is the language barrier. This can affect both teaching and communication with students, parents, and local staff. In international schools, this is less of an issue, as English is often the primary language of instruction.

Understanding and respecting Vietnamese culture is crucial for expat teachers. Cultural norms such as respect for teachers, the importance of collective harmony, and the concept of “face” (maintaining personal dignity and avoiding public embarrassment) are important to understand.

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