A number of universities have changed their 2026 admissions plans.
A number of universities have adjusted their 2026 admissions plans with several new features, especially those belonging to the Ho Chi Minh City National University system.
A few months ago, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Minh Tam, Vice Director of the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, announced that in 2026, the university plans to implement an integrated admissions method, using the results of the competency assessment exam as the main pillar, in order to reduce the number of admission methods and create uniformity in entrance assessment. The integrated method is designed based on three groups of criteria: high school graduation exam results, competency assessment results, and high school academic performance.
In 2026, the unit plans to implement an integrated admissions method, using the results of the competency assessment exam as the main pillar, in order to reduce the number of methods and create uniformity in entrance assessment.
The weighting of criteria is determined using data from the three most recent years, ensuring compatibility between input and training quality. Bonus points are awarded to students with outstanding achievements in specialized and gifted schools, but strict regulations must be followed to ensure fairness. Member schools retain the autonomy to implement details within the overall framework of the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City.
Following public outcry, the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City later affirmed that it is not mandatory for candidates to participate in the Aptitude Assessment Exam for admission consideration. Candidates using the results of the high school graduation exam or other valid results according to regulations are still guaranteed their rights and will receive specific guidance in the admission plan of each unit.
The direct admission procedures stipulated by the Ministry of Education and Training remain unchanged and are integrated into each school's overall admission plan.
To date, at least four universities under the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City will apply the combined admissions process for 2026, including: Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Health Sciences, and University of Information Technology.
In there,University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh CityFor the first time, a comprehensive admissions method will be implemented, in which academic performance is determined by combining high school transcript scores with high school graduation exam scores or the aptitude test scores of the Ho Chi Minh City National University. The comprehensive admissions method uses criteria including: Results of the 2026 high school graduation exam (THPT); results of the 2026 Ho Chi Minh City National University aptitude test (ĐGNL); academic performance over three years of high school (HB); achievements in academics, social activities, culture, physical education, sports, and arts; and international foreign language certificates.
ForUniversity of Health Sciences,The combined admission method stipulates that the aptitude test score accounts for at least 40% of the total admission score. The formula for determining the admission score includes: Admission Score = Aptitude Test Score (Agility Test Score) × a + High School Graduation Exam Score (THPT) × b + High School Academic Transcript Score (HB) × c + Bonus Points (if any) + Priority Points for eligible candidates and regions (if any).
In this system, the minimum weighting for coefficient a (Competency Assessment) is 40%, the maximum weighting for coefficient b (High School Graduation Exam score) is 35%, and the maximum weighting for coefficient c (Academic Transcript) is 25%. High School Graduation Exam scores and academic transcripts are calculated based on the subject combinations required for admission to each major.
InHo Chi Minh City University of TechnologyHowever, the majority of the quotas are still allocated to comprehensive admissions based on academic transcripts, high school graduation exam scores, aptitude test scores, and the candidate's academic and extracurricular achievements. The comprehensive admissions method (which accounts for the majority of the quotas) has a diverse range of applicants: candidates with or without the aptitude test results of the Ho Chi Minh City National University; candidates who graduated from high schools abroad; candidates using international admission certificates such as SAT, ACT, IB, A-Level; and candidates applying to "international transfer" programs in Australia, the USA, and New Zealand.
In 2026, the university's overall admission principles remain stable but with some notable adjustments. Specifically, the Math score will be multiplied by a factor of 2 in all components of the academic score (Competency Assessment, High School Graduation Exam score, and High School academic score), continuing the policy of considering Math as a core subject in entrance assessment. If a candidate changes their subject combination in grades 10, 11, or 12, the university will use a subject in a related field as a replacement, provided it belongs to the subject combination for the registered major.
Meanwhile,University of Information TechnologyThe university also announced the application of a comprehensive admissions process. The admissions formula is determined as follows: Admission Score = Student 1 × High School Graduation Score + Student 2 × Competency Assessment Score + Student 3 × Scholarship Score + Bonus Points (if any) + Priority Points (if any).
In this system, the component scores are weighted as follows: Hs1 = 47.5%, Hs2 = 47.5%, Hs3 = 5%. The admission score is calculated on a 100-point scale, with a maximum score of 100 points.
The high school score components include: THPT_ĐT, which is the candidate's 2026 high school graduation exam score (the highest admission score for the major); THPT_QĐ, which is the high school score converted from the aptitude test score using the percentile method; and THPT_QT, which is the high school graduation score according to the international program (A-Level, IB, etc.).
The components of the competency assessment score include: DGNL_DT, which is the competency assessment score organized by the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City in 2026; DGNL_QD, which is the competency assessment score converted from the high school graduation exam score using the percentile method; DGNL_QT, which is the score from international competency assessment certificates such as SAT, ACT, etc. The academic transcript score component is the average of the three years of high school academic results in the subjects according to the admission combination of the major.
In addition, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics will also apply the combined admission method in 2026.