Education authorities in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Nghe An have proposed moving the 2025 national high school graduation exam three weeks earlier than the originally planned schedule.

This adjustment aims to ensure a smooth transition amid ongoing administrative restructuring across Vietnam.

The proposal comes as the country implements administrative mergers and reorganizes governance structures following Conclusion 127/2025 issued by the Politburo and the Secretariat.

The directive mandates research and proposals for further streamlining the country’s political-administrative framework, affecting various provinces and districts.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training has formally submitted its request to the Ministry of Education and Training’s Department of Quality Management, suggesting that the 2025 high school graduation exam be held from June 7 to June 10 instead of the previously announced schedule.

Officials have urged the ministry to issue an official directive and a revised schedule promptly so that local education departments can advise their respective provincial and city governments accordingly.

According to Ho Chi Minh City’s education authorities, this adjustment would safeguard students’ interests, stabilize their psychological well-being, and ensure a well-organized and secure examination process.

As the second-largest exam center in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City anticipates over 90,000 students sitting for the 2025 national high school graduation exam.

Hanoi has also submitted a similar proposal to the Ministry of Education and Training. In a statement to VietNamNet, representatives from the Hanoi Department of Education and Training confirmed that they have formally requested an earlier exam date.

Additionally, based on the revised national exam schedule, the department will advise the city administration on adjusting the 10th-grade entrance exam timeline to align with the new calendar.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, Hanoi is projected to have nearly 120,000 middle school graduates and approximately 130,000 high school graduates.

The number of students expected to take the 10th-grade entrance exam and the high school graduation exam will account for 10% of the national total.

Previously, the Nghe An Department of Education and Training had requested a two-week advance on the 2025 high school graduation exam.

The primary concern in Nghe An revolves around the upcoming administrative mergers, which will see certain provincial and district-level units being consolidated or dissolved.

As per the 2024-2025 national academic schedule, the 2025 high school graduation exam was originally set for June 26-27.

This academic year marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time students across Vietnam will take the national high school exam and the 10th-grade entrance exam under the new 2018 General Education Program.

Additionally, new circulars regulating exams, enrollment policies, private tutoring, and supplementary classes will come into effect.

If approved, the proposal to move the exam earlier could help streamline the transition process, allowing schools and students to adjust to the new regulations and administrative changes with minimal disruption.

Le Huyen & Hoang Thanh