The Ninh Binh Department of Education and Training announced on 28/1 that Foreign Language (primarily English) would be the third subject for the 10th-grade entrance exam. The exam will be a combination of multiple-choice and essay questions, lasting 60 minutes.
Previously, many other localities made similar choices, including Ho Chi Minh City, Cao Bang, Can Tho, Thanh Hoa, Hue, and Da Nang. Tuyen Quang is the only province to select Natural Sciences. Vinh Long uses admission by review, but candidates applying to specialized schools must still take exams in Math, Literature, and English.
Regarding exam duration, regulations from the Ministry of Education and Training state that the third subject exam can be 60 or 90 minutes. Most provinces and cities have opted for 60 minutes, predominantly in a multiple-choice format, with a few incorporating essay questions.
| No. | Province/City | Third Subject |
| 1 | Cao Bang | English |
| 2 | Can Tho | Foreign Language |
| 3 | Da Nang | Foreign Language |
| 4 | Dong Thap | English |
| 5 | Hai Phong | Foreign Language |
| 6 | Lang Son | English |
| 7 | Nghe An | Foreign Language |
| 8 | Ninh Binh | Foreign Language |
| 9 | Thanh Hoa | English |
| 10 | Ho Chi Minh City | Foreign Language |
| 11 | Hue City | Foreign Language |
| 12 | Tuyen Quang | Natural Sciences |
| 13 | Vinh Long | Specialized High Schools: Literature, Math, English + specialized subject Others: Admission by review |
According to the Ministry of Education and Training's 10th-grade admission regulations, starting in 2025, localities can choose competitive examination, admission by review, or a combination for 10th-grade entry. If a competitive examination is chosen, it will comprise Math, Literature, and a third subject (or a combined subject exam). This third subject is selected by the Department of Education and Training from subjects assessed by scores, including: Foreign Language one, civic education, natural sciences, history and geography, technology, and informatics.
However, provinces and cities cannot choose the same subject for more than three consecutive years and must announce the third subject before 31/3 annually.
Last year, English (or Foreign Language) was the choice for nearly 60 out of 63 provinces and cities. Among the remaining, Ca Mau, Gia Lai, and Vinh Long implemented 10th-grade admission by review, while Ha Giang selected History and Geography as the third subject.
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Candidates taking the 10th-grade public school entrance exam in Ho Chi Minh City at the Dang Tan Tai Secondary School examination venue, 6/2025. Photo: Quynh Tran
Thanh Hang
