From 2025, the 10th grade entrance exam will comprise two compulsory subjects: literature and math, along with a third subject selected from a list of graded subjects, such as foreign language 1, civic education, natural sciences, history, and geography. After two years, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) recently sought feedback from Hanoi, TP HCM, and Hai Phong on a plan to use only literature and math for the entrance exam. The Ministry stated that in the past academic year, the scale of high school enrollment expanded nationwide, shifting from a "screening" mindset to "expanding learning opportunities." This has helped reduce exam pressure and unnecessary competition.

Among readers participating in a VnExpress survey with four options, the percentage choosing a 10th grade exam with three subjects (literature, math, English) or only two subjects accounted for 96-98%.

Proponents of including English as a fixed third subject cite three main reasons, according to Ms. Nguyen Thi Van Hong, principal of Chuong Duong Primary and Secondary School in Hanoi.

First, many families have invested in their children's English education from an early age, particularly in large urban areas. This is evident in the increasing number of English language centers. In TP HCM, 2,380 centers were licensed by the end of 2024, a more than 6-fold increase compared to 2010. In Hanoi, the number also doubled to 955 centers after about 6 years, as of 8/2018.

"Since we're sending our children to study anyway, many families want to 'kill two birds with one stone'," Ms. Hong said.

Additionally, Ms. Hong observed that over the past two years, almost all localities chose English as the third subject for the 10th grade exam. As the Ministry allows this subject to be repeated for a maximum of three consecutive years, many students and parents predicted that English would continue to be tested in 2027 and focused their preparation accordingly. Changing the plan could affect families' plans and directions.

Finally, English can become a "lifeline" for students who are not strong in literature or math, according to Mr. Kien Thanh, a teacher in TP HCM.

"A student weak in literature can still 'recover points' if they are good at English. But when there are only literature and math, these two subjects will have to carry the entire result, creating significant pressure," he commented.

Agreeing with the above reasons, Ms. Thuy Lieu, residing in Kim Lien ward, Hanoi, said she had her child take extra English classes since 7th grade, seeing it as an essential life skill. Furthermore, when advancing to high school, her child would still need English for international certifications and university admissions.

"Taking three subjects allows one subject to support another, in case my child doesn't perform well in math or literature," Ms. Lieu said.

Tram Anh, a 9th-grade student in TP HCM, also believes that not testing English would partly reduce her motivation to study, even though it is an international language widely used in studies, work, and travel.

Additionally, the female student feels that next year's 10th grade exam will be very stressful because it is the "golden dragon" cohort born in 2012. With only two subjects, the concentrated amount of knowledge will be heavier instead of being distributed across three subjects as before.

"It is necessary to maintain the three exam subjects: math, literature, and English," Tram Anh expressed.

Students accompanied by their families to complete 10th grade exam procedures in TP HCM, 5/2026. *Photo: Thanh Tung*

Conversely, many advocate for a two-subject exam, citing advantages related to reducing the academic burden.

Mr. Duc, principal of a secondary school in TP HCM, believes that taking the 10th grade exam with only literature and math helps reduce the pressure of studying and extra classes. These two subjects represent the social sciences and natural sciences, and are thus "sufficient to assess students' capabilities for high school."

Even though her child is preparing for 9th grade and is proficient in English, Ms. My Quyen in TP HCM still supports the two-subject exam.

"As a 9th-grade homeroom teacher for many consecutive years, I see that every exam season, children rush to take extra classes until they are exhausted and severely sleep-deprived," she explained, adding that when surveying her class, most students chose the two-subject exam.

Ms. Mai in Hanoi supports testing only math and literature because her child "does not have a talent for learning foreign languages." She recounted that last summer she tried everything, from attending centers to hiring a home tutor, but the results were not as desired. If English were an exam subject, her child would have fewer opportunities, and the family would incur additional costs.

Ms. Hong also recognized the disparity in English proficiency, especially between rural and urban students. She cited that the 15-20 high schools with the highest English graduation exam scores in Hanoi over the past two years were all top public schools in the inner city or private and international schools. At the suburban school where she teaches, she observed that students generally have lower English scores than their peers in central areas.

"Thus, competing for a spot in a top public school is almost very difficult for suburban and rural students," Ms. Hong said.

Despite the push for reduction, concerns remain about potential downsides and alternative approaches.

Mr. Nguyen Cao Cuong, principal of Thai Thinh Secondary School in Hanoi, worries that a two-subject exam might lead students to neglect other subjects, resulting in imbalanced learning and affecting the goal of comprehensive development in the general education curriculum.

Many educators believe that the current approach of testing literature, math, and a third subject still meets the general goals of the education sector and individual localities.

"What I find most meaningful about this option is that it helps students avoid imbalanced learning," Ms. Hong said. "The third subject is also an opportunity for students with superior abilities in other subjects to recover points, instead of being confined to just literature, math, and English."

Mr. Cuong also wants to maintain this option, proposing that localities decide on the third subject themselves based on their specific goals and orientations.

"That could be a subject where their students are strong or weak, thereby promoting a learning movement," Mr. Cuong said, suggesting that the regulation limiting the choice of a third exam subject to no more than three consecutive years should be abolished.

Regardless of the favored option, educators, parents, and students all share the view that exam subjects should be announced earlier, by the end of Quarter I instead of the end of March as is currently the case.

"If the plan changes, students will be confused. Announcing it early allows students, parents, and schools to proactively prepare," Mr. Duc said.

Simultaneously, authorities need to consider building more schools. Mr. Kien Thanh believes that merely reducing exam subjects without increasing opportunities to attend public schools will not fundamentally resolve the pressure of the 10th grade exam.

By Thanh Hang - Quyen Nguyen