As the 2024-2025 academic year kicks off, students in Hai Phong are gearing up for significant changes in their educational journey. This year marks the first time that 12th-grade students will complete the 2018 general education program, shifting the focus from content-oriented learning to developing students' competencies and qualities. In light of the upcoming high school graduation exam in 2025, many schools in the area are offering free tutoring to help students prepare effectively.
According to the Hai Phong Department of Education and Training, there are 25,315 12th-grade students in the city for the 2025 academic year. Out of these, 25,290 students have registered to take the high school graduation exam, while 25 students have been exempted. The most popular subject among students is Physics, with 9,039 registrations, whereas Informatics sees the least interest with only 56 students signing up.
At Nguyen Binh Khiem High School, as of early March 2025, 488 students are registered for the graduation exam. The breakdown of elective subject registrations reveals that 229 students have chosen Physics, 102 have opted for Chemistry, and only one student has signed up for Informatics. The situation is similar at Thuy Huong High School, where 449 students registered by February 20, 2025. Here, English is the most popular elective, with 247 students, followed by Geography with 240 registrations.
Despite the challenges posed by the new educational framework, schools are committed to supporting their students. Le Quy Don High School's Principal, Tran Manh Cuong, emphasized the importance of free tutoring sessions, stating, "After students register for their exam subjects, the school allows them to apply voluntarily for tutoring. Our teachers are dedicated to providing two sessions per week for each subject to ensure comprehensive coverage of the curriculum." However, he noted that maintaining these sessions after the academic year ends, especially leading up to the exam, would be challenging.
Moreover, the Hai Phong Department of Education and Training has issued guidelines for the 2025 high school graduation exam and the 10th-grade entrance exam for the following academic year. The document emphasizes the need for schools to adhere strictly to the educational program, avoiding any shortcuts or omissions in the curriculum. Schools are encouraged to facilitate online resources and provide students with various learning materials to enhance their preparation.
On a broader scale, the Ministry of Education and Training is also preparing for the 2025 high school graduation exam. On April 3, 2025, a conference was held in Ho Chi Minh City, attended by representatives from 63 provinces and cities, to discuss the new examination regulations. Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong highlighted that this year’s exam will implement a new format under the 2018 General Education Program, which includes two compulsory subjects—Literature and Mathematics—and two elective subjects.
“This year, the exam will consist of only three sessions, reducing the number of sessions from four in 2024,” Thuong explained. He also noted that the exam will focus on assessing students' competencies, with the potential for literature questions to include materials beyond textbooks. Notably, the weight of continuous assessment in determining graduation eligibility will increase from 30% to 50%.
Registration for the exam will be conducted entirely online, a first for the Ministry. Candidates will have the opportunity to register from April 21 to April 28, with trial registrations occurring earlier, from April 15 to April 18. The examination is set to take place on June 26 and 27, 2025, with results announced on July 16.
As the education sector adapts to these changes, there are also new provisions regarding language proficiency certificates. Candidates with valid foreign language certificates will be exempt from the foreign language exam, while foreigners with Vietnamese language certificates will be exempt from the literature exam. However, these certificates will not convert into additional points for graduation recognition, only serving as exemptions.
In terms of university admissions, the Ministry has introduced significant changes for 2025. The admission process will now feature 17 different methods, a reduction from 20 in the previous year. Data from the 2024 enrollment results indicated that over 52% of students were admitted based on their high school graduation exam scores, while 27% were admitted through academic transcripts. The Ministry encourages universities to streamline their admission methods to improve efficiency.
Candidates are advised to provide complete information during their university applications, including the order of their preferences, which will be crucial for their admission chances. The high school graduation exam will occur at the end of June 2025, and candidates who qualify for direct admission must submit their applications by June 30.
As the education landscape evolves in Vietnam, with new regulations and methods being implemented, schools and students alike are navigating these changes with a focus on enhancing learning outcomes and ensuring a smooth transition into the new academic framework. The commitment from both educators and students to adapt and thrive in this environment will be key to achieving success in the upcoming examinations.
