Changes are coming to the Vietnamese education system as significant decisions about student admissions and exam preparations are underway for early 2025. Among the most notable announcements is the directive from the Prime Minister to finalize the selection of the third examination subject for 10th-grade entrants.
Currently, there's considerable anticipation surrounding this decision, as educational authorities have yet to formally announce which subject will be added to the existing Mathematics and Literature exams. With this lack of clarity, students and educators alike are left wondering about the necessary preparations. It is expected, according to reports, the chosen subject will be revealed by February 2025, paving the way for students to begin preparing well before the exams.
Meanwhile, various schools across Vietnam are streamlining their admissions processes for the coming academic year. The School of Education at THCS Đoàn Thị Điểm has set its admissions timeline, allowing applications from February 10 to April 6, 2025. The school will utilize both student evaluation from primary education and competency assessments to guide its admissions decisions. For the fourth and fifth grades, admissions criteria will include periodically tested results from the final year of primary school.
Competitively, schools are enhancing their curriculum offers. For example, THCS - THPT Nguyễn Siêu aims to admit 210 students this year, focusing on international programs and emphasizing the importance of bilingual education. They will assess applicants through several measures, including psychological tests and health evaluations, assuring parents of the thoroughness of the selection process.
The Archimedes Educational System is also adjusting its intake, planning to welcome 700 students for the 2025-2026 year across its two campuses. Here too, subjects such as Mathematics and Vietnamese are fundamental to the evaluation scheme, demonstrating the institution's commitment to strong academic foundations.
Beyond recruitment, there's exciting cultural news within the Vietnamese community. The Vietnamese Language School and Cultural Center (TTVHVN) celebrated its 30th anniversary on January 26, 2025, at Warner Middle School, Westminster, CA, marking three decades of preserving the Vietnamese language and traditions. Huỳnh Phổ, one of the founders, expressed gratitude for the continued demand for Vietnamese education among the younger generation. “When we first opened, we didn’t think we would be here three decades later. But now, more families want their children to learn Vietnamese, which is heartening,” he conveyed.
The ceremony featured performances by students, reinforcing cultural ties. Loan Anh Phạm, deputy principal and language teacher, noted the importance of cultural celebrations, especially around Tết, stating, “It's wonderful to see so many families involved, reinforcing our traditions.” The values of community participation and historical remembrance were palpable throughout the event.
This commitment to cultural education extends to TTVHVN's curriculum, which already serves children from preschool up to the sixth grade. Plans are underway to expand the curriculum through middle school as part of their long-term strategy to promote Vietnamese language acquisition.
The school has made significant strides by developing Vietnamese textbooks, which have been incorporated by the Westminster and Garden Grove School Districts for their bilingual programs. Their motto remains clear: to provide Vietnamese children with the skills to communicate fluently within their families and broader community contexts.
While some schools are aligning curriculum and evaluations with parent expectations, the uncertainty of the third examination subject for high school students casts a shadow, necessitating timely decision-making from educational authorities. Effective communication and thorough preparation are becoming the focus points for many schools as they prepare students for the challenges of higher academic expectations.
Overall, these developments reflect Vietnam’s educational institutions? commitment to high standards, cultural integrity, and preparation for future generations. Balancing traditional values with modern educational demands is seen as key toward sustained academic and cultural success.
The educational framework for 2025 promises significant shifts, with institutions aiming to provide well-rounded opportunities for language and cultural skills development—plus, high-level assessments aimed at ensuring readiness for increasingly demanding academic contexts. Whether through school reform or cultural celebrations, the focus is clear: instilling pride and knowledge for the youth.