Universities are now issuing tentative 2025-2026 admission plans, and as in previous years, IELTS and TOEFL certificates remain highly favored.

The University of Economics HCMC will admit candidates with IELTS scores of 6.0 or higher, TOEFL iBT scores of 73 or above; SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test, US) scores of at least 500 per section; or ACT (American College Testing) scores of 20 or higher (on a 36-point scale). 

Additionally, methods like high school learning records, competency assessments, or the V-SAT exam prioritize students with international English certificates of IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL iBT 73+.

The University of Information Technology (VNU-HCM City) awards bonus points to candidates with IELTS or TOEFL iBT certificates.

At the University of Science and Technology (VNU-HCM City), applicants to English-taught programs, advanced programs, or international transfer tracks (Australia/New Zealand) must have IELTS ≥ 6.0, TOEFL iBT ≥ 79, or TOEIC Listening-Reading ≥ 730 and Speaking-Writing ≥ 280 upon admission to start the main curriculum. Those with IELTS 5.5 or equivalent are provisionally accepted but must meet the standard after one semester.

The University of Industry HCM City offers direct admission to provincial/city-level excellent students, winners of Olympic competitions, students from schools/classes for the gifted, or those with IELTS 5.5+.

HCM City Nong Lam University converts IELTS or TOEFL ITP scores for high school graduation exam-based admissions: IELTS 5.0-5.5 or TOEFL 470-510 = 8 points; IELTS 6.0-6.5 or TOEFL 513-550 = 9 points; IELTS 7.0-9.0 or TOEFL 553-677 = 10 points.

The Open University HCMC prioritizes transcript-based admissions with international language certificates. For Language majors, IELTS must reach 6.5 (or equivalent scores in other tests); for other majors, IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) is required.

The University of Law HCMC considers candidates with international language certificates or SAT results. For English, IELTS must be 5.5+ (issued by British Council or IDP) or TOEFL iBT 65+ (issued by ETS).

The University of Medicine and Pharmacy HCM City plans to enroll students based on both their high school learning records and international English certificates.

IELTS 6.0+ qualifies candidates for all majors, while IELTS 5.0-6.0 allows applications to Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Nursing, Anesthesia Nursing, Midwifery, Nutrition, Dental Technology, Medical Testing, etc. The university also plans to admit students based on SAT scores.

Education experts noted that most schools only accept international certificates, while ignoring the domestic VSTEP.

VSTEP, or "Vietnamese Standardized Test of English Proficiency," assesses English skills on Vietnam’s 6-level foreign language framework, aligned with the European CEFR (A1 to C2). It tests all four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. According to the Ministry of Education and Training, 36 universities nationwide are authorized to administer and issue VSTEP certificates. Yet, very few universities accept it.

Thuy Nga