This year's high school graduation exam sees the Ministry of Education and Training and local authorities actively implementing measures to prevent high-tech cheating. Numerous provinces and cities, including Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Tho, Dong Nai, Bac Ninh, Ha Tinh, and Dak Lak, have equipped exam venues with handheld security scanners and specialized signal detection devices to identify phones and other electronic gadgets. This marks a new approach compared to previous years.

A Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training official stated on the afternoon of 10/6 that 10 exam venues across three areas were randomly selected to deploy handheld security scanners for both exam days. The city police will be responsible for conducting these scans.

"Most of these venues host a significant number of independent candidates. Supervisors have already informed them about this measure," the official said. "During implementation, authorities will foster a comfortable atmosphere to avoid causing anxiety among candidates."

In Phu Tho, nearly 48,000 candidates are taking the high school graduation exam this year, a 2.5 times increase from last year before the provincial merger. They will sit for exams at 110 venues located in over 80 communes and wards.

To combat high-tech cheating, the Phu Tho Department of Education and Training has equipped exam venues with handheld metal detectors. In collaboration with the provincial police, the department provided in-depth training to all invigilators on identifying and utilizing modern screening devices.

Similar to Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Tho advises exam venues to ensure these measures do not impact exam time or create undue pressure and stress for candidates.

In Dong Nai, where approximately 53,000 candidates are participating, the city police instructed invigilators on how to use scanners during a training session on 9/6.

Additionally, security officials alerted teachers to several sophisticated, miniature cheating devices: cameras attached to shirt buttons or eyeglasses, and audio recording and transmission devices that candidates might conceal on their person.

Concurrently, provinces and cities are intensifying public awareness campaigns and deploying personnel to monitor information related to exam cheating. In Phu Tho, for instance, the provincial police stated they are enhancing surveillance of cyberspace to detect and prevent violations of exam regulations, and to promptly identify and address misinformation.

Dong Nai City Police instructing invigilators on how to use handheld security scanners. *Photo: Phuoc Tuan*

The 2026 high school graduation exam takes place over two days, 11-12/6, with a record number of candidates: over 1.2 million.

Tomorrow, candidates will take the Literature exam in the morning and Mathematics in the afternoon. On 12/6, they will choose two subjects from: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geography, History, Economic and Legal Education, Informatics, Technology, and Foreign Languages. Candidates will receive their high school graduation exam results on 1/7.

Reporting team