On 22/7, as schools began accepting supplementary 10th grade applications, Ms. Tuyet from Binh Hung Hoa ward immediately registered her child for Dien Hong High School. With her child's three-subject exam score of 15.75, Ms. Tuyet was hopeful, as it surpassed the 15-point cutoff.

Less than one day later, she received a call from the school stating that the number of applications had exceeded the 40-spot quota. With admissions based on scores from highest to lowest, her child's chances became uncertain. The mother took leave from work, rushing to withdraw the application and transfer it to Suong Nguyet Anh High School in Vuon Lai ward.

"However, the registration list had already soared to over 300," Ms. Tuyet recounted. She noted that if her child were lucky enough to be admitted, they would have to travel about 10 km to school daily, making commuting difficult, but the costs would be lower than a private school.

Ms. Minh Phuong from Cau Ong Lanh area faced an even more frantic situation. Initially, she aimed for her child (with 15.75 points) to attend Nguyen Thi Dieu High School in Xuan Hoa ward, but after consulting, she withdrew the application, seeing little chance. Rushing to Dien Hong High School, she was disheartened to learn the school had already received over a hundred applications with higher scores. At Suong Nguyet Anh High School, the list also extended to three digits. Ultimately, she went to the nearby Nguyen An Ninh High School but returned home disappointed as her child did not meet the score requirement.

"With my child's score, applying to schools in the suburban areas would offer a high chance of admission. But commuting more than 20 km for three years is a significant issue," she explained.

Students taking the public 10th grade exam at Hoa Lu Junior High School, Thu Duc City, June 2025. *Photo: Quynh Tran*

Following the initial 10th grade enrollment period, 79 public schools had nearly 3,500 vacant spots, as many admitted students chose not to enroll. This group of spots was then opened for supplementary admission by the Department of Education and Training.

Students not admitted in the first round, whose total scores from the three subjects plus priority points equaled the first-choice nguyen vong cutoff score of the new school, were eligible for consideration, with a deadline of 29/7.

According to representatives from several schools, the situation of parents submitting and then withdrawing applications was significantly more frequent this year than in previous years, primarily among schools with cutoff scores around 15 or 16. This was due to the large number of 9th grade students this year, with many families applying for overly ambitious first-choice nguyen vong in the initial round, leading to their children not being admitted. Furthermore, Mr. Nguyen Van Phong, Deputy Director of the Department, stated that many schools had already admitted more students than their quotas during the official admission round, resulting in very limited remaining spots for the supplementary round.

The reality at many schools showed intense competition during the supplementary admission round. A representative from Nguyen An Ninh High School stated that the number of applications submitted far exceeded the quota of 24 students.

At Dien Hong High School, Mr. Truong Trieu Nhut, an admissions officer, noted that despite a quota of only 40 spots, the school had received 114 applications, with the highest score being 20. Similarly, Principal Phan Ho Hai of Dao Son Tay High School in Linh Xuan ward reported that 102 candidates were competing for 18 spots. Although the minimum score to submit an application was 14.75, all admitted students achieved 16 points or higher. At Phong Phu High School in Binh Hung commune, approximately 337 students applied for a quota of 214.

Conversely, schools with cutoff scores of 18 points or higher had not yet met their enrollment targets as of today. Hung Vuong High School in Cho Lon ward aimed to admit 25 students but had only received 11 applications. In Tan Hoa ward, Nguyen Thai Binh High School received 30 applications while still having 46 available spots. A similar situation was observed at Tay Thanh High School with a quota of 50 students.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Dung, Principal of Hung Vuong High School, explained that the school's first-choice nguyen vong cutoff score was 21. However, at this score level, students were unlikely to fail all three initial nguyen vong applications.

Since each student could only register for one supplementary nguyen vong, Mr. Nguyen Tuong Thinh, Principal of Nguyen An Ninh High School, closely monitored applications to advise those with low chances of admission. Consequently, about 30 families withdrew their applications.

"Otherwise, they would hold onto their applications while some other schools still have available spots and higher chances," he said. "The goal is to create more opportunities for students to enter public schools, but the final decision rests with the parents."

Many schools also proactively signaled to applicants who were on the borderline or did not meet the criteria, allowing parents to change direction promptly. At Nguyen Van Linh High School in Binh Dong ward, the first-choice nguyen vong cutoff score was 11.75, but currently, only students with 13.5 points or higher have a chance, according to Principal Nguyen Tan Sy.

The Deputy Director of the Department advised families to mentally prepare to make the best subsequent decision for their children. He emphasized that results not meeting expectations are not a failure. Vocational education and continuing education centers, vocational schools, or private schools are all normal choices, and students can absolutely thrive and have a good future.

"The important thing is for parents to listen to their children. This is an age when they are very vulnerable to family pressure and expectations," he said, noting that parents' calmness, trust, and encouragement would help students overcome feelings of disappointment.

With only one day left to submit applications, Ms. Minh Phuong decided to end the race, registering her child for a private school near home.

"The costs are higher than public schools, but in return, commuting is convenient," Ms. Phuong shared.

Meanwhile, with 17 points, Mr. Nam from Phu Nhuan area was still struggling to choose a school for his child. Visiting Nguyen An Ninh High School, he understood the admission rate was only 30%, but turning to Dien Hong High School also felt "unsafe."

"I am still having to weigh my options hourly," Mr. Nam confessed.

Quyen Nguyen