Specifically, 14 universities will continue to use independent transcript review or combine it with other criteria. Some universities, such as Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance, and Yersin Da Lat University (Lam Dong), will only consider 12th-grade scores. Three universities will consider 3-6 semesters of transcripts: Hoa Sen University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, and Long An University of Economics and Engineering.
Other institutions apply these methods depending on the major or program. For example, Hanoi Pedagogical University 2 uses transcript review for majors like early childhood education, physical education, and information technology, while the University of Economics, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, only applies it to international joint programs.
Scores from competency and aptitude assessment tests are utilized by most universities. These exams include: TSA (Hanoi University of Science and Technology), HSA (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), V-ACT (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City), SPT (Hanoi National University of Education), H-SCA (Ho Chi Minh City University of Education), and V-SAT (an entrance exam organized by universities in coordination with the National Testing Center).
Additionally, universities continue to offer direct admission for students who have won national or international awards. They also consider scores from the national high school graduation exam and international certificates. Popular international certificates accepted include: SAT, ACT, A-Level, and IB.
Beyond direct admission and national high school graduation exam scores, the other admission methods for over 30 universities are as follows ([X] indicates the method is used but details are not yet announced):
| No. | University | Independent transcript review | Competency/aptitude test scores | International certificates |
| 1 | Hanoi University of Science and Technology | No | TSA | SAT, ACT, A-Level, AP, IB |
| 2 | National Economics University | No | HSA, TSA | SAT, ACT |
| 3 | Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology | No | HSA, TSA, V-ACT, SPT | SAT, ACT |
| 4 | University of Engineering and Technology, Vietnam National University, Hanoi | No | HSA | SAT |
| 5 | University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi | No | HSA | No |
| 6 | Vietnam National University, Hanoi - School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Arts | No | HSA | No |
| 7 | Vietnam Japan University, Vietnam National University, Hanoi | No | HSA | SAT |
| 8 | University of Economics, Vietnam National University, Hanoi | International joint programs only | HSA | SAT, ACT, A-Level |
| 9 | Hanoi Pedagogical University 2 | Varies by major | University's own test and H-SCA | No |
| 10 | Thai Nguyen University of Education | No | SPT | No |
| 11 | Tan Trao University (Tuyen Quang) | 12th-grade transcript | No | No |
| 12 | Bac Giang Agriculture and Forestry University | 12th-grade transcript | No | No |
| 13 | Ho Chi Minh City University of Education | No | H-SCA (combined with transcript/aptitude scores) | No |
| 14 | Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine | No | No | No |
| 15 | Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry | No | No | No |
| 16 | Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade | 3 years of high school transcripts | V-ACT, H-SCA | No |
| 17 | Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology | No | V-ACT (combined with multiple criteria) | ACT, IB, A-Level, SAT (combined) |
| 18 | Ho Chi Minh City University of Banking | No | V-SAT | No |
| 19 | Ho Chi Minh City University of Finance and Marketing | X | V-ACT, V-SAT | No |
| 20 | Ho Chi Minh City University of Management and Technology | X | V-ACT | No |
| 21 | Hoa Sen University (Ho Chi Minh City) | 3-6 semesters of high school transcripts | HSA, V-ACT, V-SAT | No |
| 22 | Nguyen Tat Thanh University (Ho Chi Minh City) | 12th-grade transcript | HSA, V-ACT, V-SAT, H-SCA | No |
| 23 | Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) | 12th-grade transcript | V-ACT, V-SAT | SAT, ACT, A- Level, IB |
| 24 | Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance | 12th-grade transcript | V-ACT, V-SAT | No |
| 25 | School of Information Officers | No | HSA, V-ACT | No |
| 26 | Nha Trang University (Khanh Hoa) | X | V-ACT, HSA | No |
| 27 | Nam Can Tho University | X | X | X |
| 28 | Tay Do University (Can Tho) | X | V-SAT, V-ACT | X |
| 29 | Yersin Da Lat University (Lam Dong) | 12th-grade transcript | X | X |
| 30 | Kien Giang University | 12th-grade transcript | V-ACT, V-SAT | No |
| 31 | Long An University of Economics and Industrial Engineering | 2-5 semesters of transcripts | V-ACT | No |
This year, the university admission schedule is two weeks earlier than last year, as the national high school graduation exam is expected to take place early, on 11-12/6. The Ministry requires universities to develop plans and announce admission information, including key dates, by 15/2 at the latest, to allow students to plan their studies and exam preparation.
All candidates can register and adjust their admission preferences an unlimited number of times from 2/7 until 5 p.m. on 14/7. Candidates are expected to know the university cutoff scores for 2026 from 5 p.m. on 10/8 to 13/8.
2026 university admission schedule
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Ho Chi Minh City candidates taking the 2025 high school graduation exam. Photo: Quynh Tran |
Last year, universities used 17 admission methods. All applications were processed in one phase after candidates received their national high school graduation exam scores, a change from previous years which involved early admissions with multiple methods.
Approximately 773,200 students were admitted to universities and colleges last year, but only nearly 625,500 confirmed their enrollment. University cutoff scores ranged from 13 to 30, with an average score of 19,11, a decrease of three points compared to the previous admission cycle.
Duong Tam
