The race to get into public high schools in Ho Chi Minh City has begun.

Today (June 1st), nearly 152,000 students in Ho Chi Minh City across all three major regions officially begin competing for a spot in public high schools.

The 2026 10th grade entrance exam in Ho Chi Minh City is the first exam after the merger, with an unprecedented scale of 151,269 registered candidates. Ho Chi Minh City organized 242 exam centers, 6,443 exam rooms, and 17,700 officials and teachers to serve as invigilators and supervisors.

The percentage of candidates who completed the registration procedures was high.

On the morning of May 31st, candidates participating in the 10th grade entrance exam arrived at the examination centers to complete the necessary procedures, familiarize themselves with the regulations, and correct any errors if present.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, 600 candidates were absent during the exam registration process. However, they can still participate in the exam as normal on June 1st.

At the exam site at Vo Truong Toan Secondary School (Saigon Ward), at exactly 9:30 AM on May 31st, all candidates had gathered in their respective exam rooms, listening to the invigilators explain the exam regulations.

Candidates register for the 10th grade entrance exam at the exam center at Phu Tho Secondary School, Phu Tho Ward, Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of May 31. Photo: TAN THANH

Mr. Tran Hai Binh, Vice Principal of Ten Le Man High School and Head of the examination center, said that this center has 21 examination rooms with nearly 500 candidates participating, all students from junior high schools in the former District 1. During the registration process, invigilators checked and verified the candidates' personal information and guided them in correcting any errors. Invigilators also explained the examination regulations and important points to note for this year's exam. Candidates were also reminded to prepare necessary documents and items permitted in the examination room.

At the 10th grade entrance exam centers on the morning of May 31st, many candidates said they felt a little pressure if they didn't get into their registered choice. However, they remained confident entering the exam because they had had time to prepare thoroughly. Nguyen Tan Trung, a 9th grade student from Tran Van On Secondary School (Tan Dinh ward), admitted to being a little "overwhelmed" by the high number of candidates. Even so, he said he would still try his best to get into his first choice, Bui Thi Xuan High School.

At the exam center at Vo Truong Toan Secondary School, despite being eligible for admission to 10th grade, Ngo Vo Tuong Vy, a student from Le Hong Phong Secondary School (Con Dao Special Zone), still traveled over 200 km to the mainland with her mother to take the exam. According to Tuong Vy, since the beginning of 9th grade, her parents had planned for her to study on the mainland, to interact with good friends and teachers. Because the school did not organize review sessions, she mainly studied on her own at home, working through 10th grade exam papers with guidance from her tutors. Tuong Vy applied to Tay Thanh High School, Nguyen Thai Binh High School, and Nguyen Thi Dieu High School.

Many options available for over 50,000 eliminated candidates.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, in this year's 10th grade entrance exam, 15 candidates experienced health problems requiring special assistance from examination centers to complete the exam successfully. To support these students in completing the exam fairly and safely, the Examination Steering Committee has developed specific handling plans.

Accordingly, the nine candidates with broken arms will be assigned to a separate examination room. According to regulations, the Department of Education and Training will assign invigilators from high schools (who do not teach Vietnamese language, mathematics, or foreign languages) to assist in writing the exam papers for these candidates, dictating the answers. Each examination room will have two invigilators, equipped with video cameras to continuously record the entire process of the students taking the exam.

Two candidates with mobility difficulties (broken legs, musculoskeletal disorders) were assisted in getting to the examination room. One was given a separate examination room; the other, due to poor health, was assigned to a different room and had someone write the answers for her under the close supervision of two invigilators and cameras.

The group of candidates who fell ill includes two students. For the candidate currently hospitalized, the exam score is being reviewed by the steering committee. The remaining candidate will be arranged to take the exam in a separate room...

Unlike previous years, for this year's 10th grade entrance exam, the exam papers will be delivered on May 31st, one day before the exam, due to the exam being held across three different areas. Mr. Nguyen Van Phong, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, stated that safeguarding the exam papers is not only the responsibility of the police force but also the responsibility of the heads of the examination centers.

After candidates complete the three exams, their papers are sent to the Department of Education and Training all at once. The grading process will be centralized at three locations, with one subject at each location.

For the 2026-2027 school year, the total enrollment quota for 10th grade in public schools in Ho Chi Minh City is 118,550 students. This is a record high number to accommodate the surge in the number of junior high school graduates, approximately 169,080. Of these, 176 public high schools will enroll 117,355 students, and 5 high schools affiliated with universities will enroll 1,195 students. In addition, 41 continuing education and vocational training centers in the city will enroll an additional 16,226 students.

Despite a significant increase in enrollment quotas, the number of candidates registering for the 10th grade entrance exam has also risen sharply. Therefore, it is estimated that more than 50,000 students will still miss out on admission to public high schools in 2026. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training stated that there are still many options for these students, such as attending continuing education centers, colleges, vocational schools, and private schools.

Recruitment will be conducted depending on the situation.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, after the first phase of this year's 10th grade entrance exam, the department will consider an additional enrollment phase.

Depending on the actual number of applications for regular classes and the proposals from high schools, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training will consider and decide on organizing supplementary admissions and issue specific guidelines. However, if the number of applications has already met the quota, the department may not organize a supplementary admissions round.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/bat-dau-cuoc-dua-vao-lop-10-cong-lap-o-tp-hcm-196260531220023316.htm