On 27/1, the Phu Tho Department of Education and Training announced that the Provincial People's Committee decided to award certificates of merit to 80 students who achieved national awards in the previous academic year and 64 teachers who directly mentored them.

Each student and teacher received a reward of 3,51 million VND, with no distinction between first, second, third, or consolation prizes. The budget was allocated from the province's 2026 emulation and commendation expenditure estimates. The total cost exceeded 505 million VND.

This marks the lowest reward for national excellent students in Phu Tho province since 2018 and is also the first time the province has applied a uniform reward amount.

Between 2018 and 2023, the former Phu Tho province awarded national excellent students three to eight times the basic salary, depending on the prize category. For instance, a first-prize winner in the 2023-2024 academic year received over 18,7 million VND, while a third-prize winner received over 14 million VND.

By 7/2024, new regulations on emulation and commendation removed the aforementioned clause. Consequently, authorities lacked a legal basis to disburse rewards to the group of students who achieved awards in the previous academic year, with results announced in 1/2025.

In late 10/2025, following a merger, the Phu Tho Provincial People's Council, comprising the former Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, and Hoa Binh provinces, issued new reward levels for this group. Students achieving national-level awards were to receive 10-30 million VND, with teachers receiving 80% of the student's reward amount.

However, in an interview with VnExpress in 12/2025, Nguyen Khac Hieu, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, stated that these new reward levels apply to students and teachers who achieve awards from the current academic year onwards.

Concerns arise as national excellent students receive no cash prize

National excellent students from Phu Tho province during the 2024-2025 academic year at a commendation ceremony in 2/2025. *Photo: Provided by parents*

Despite the decision, some students and parents reported not yet receiving the reward money. Ms. Ngan expressed her continued disappointment, recalling her initial concern when her child, a national third-prize winner, received only a "certificate of merit" without any accompanying monetary award.

"Under either the previous or the latest reward scheme, my child would have received 14-15 million VND. For many students, this amount is equivalent to a full semester's university tuition," Ms. Ngan stated. "Now, receiving just over 3,5 million VND leaves me quite disheartened."

In recent years, most provinces and cities have implemented distinct reward policies for students achieving national and international awards. At the national level, reward amounts typically range from one to 50 million VND. In some localities, teachers coaching these teams receive rewards equivalent to 50% to 100% of the amount given to students.

Duong Tam