Local English language certificates are still in short supply.

In previous admission seasons, many higher education institutions in Vietnam have considered including the VSTEP foreign language certificate in their admission criteria. However, to date, the number of universities or training institutions using this certificate for admissions remains very modest.

According to Circular No. 24/2024 of the Ministry of Education and Training promulgating the Regulations on the High School Graduation Examination, among the foreign language certificates that candidates can use to be exempt from this subject in the 2025 high school graduation examination, there is a "domestic" foreign language certificate. This is the VSTEP certificate, based on the 6-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam, issued in 2014, which is based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and several English proficiency frameworks in other countries, combined with the reality in Vietnam.

Accordingly, for English, in addition to TOEFL ITP 450, TOEFL iBT 45, and IELTS 4.0 certificates, the Ministry of Education and Training allows exemption from the exam for candidates with B1 Preliminary/B1 Business Preliminary/B1 Linguaskill; TOEIC; Aptis ESOL B1; PEARSON PEIC B1; and a foreign language certificate according to the 6-level foreign language proficiency framework used for Vietnam, level 3 (VSTEP B1). Among the above certificates, VSTEP is the only "domestic" English certificate. Candidates with a VSTEP B1 certificate will also have their score converted to 10 in English in the 2024 high school graduation exam, similar to candidates with an IELTS 4.0 certificate.

Despite being around for 10 years, the VSTEP certificate still lags behind international English language certificates. While the 6-level Vietnamese language certificate, VSTEP, has been accepted in most fields, from civil service exams and promotions to university and postgraduate admissions, its use in admissions remains limited. From February 2025, according to regulations from the Ministry of Education and Training, 36 universities and academies will be authorized to organize exams and issue English certificates based on the 6-level Vietnamese language proficiency framework (VSTEP).

Notably, many universities organize and issue VSTEP English proficiency certificates but still reject them during admissions, such as the Foreign Trade University and the National Economics University. For example, in its 2025 admissions plan, the National Economics University considers international English certificates (IELTS, TOEFL) in combination with high school graduation exam results; combined with results from a thinking skills assessment test (Hanoi University of Science and Technology), and results from an aptitude test (two National Universities). The Foreign Trade University also only uses international foreign language certificates when considering admissions in combination with high school graduation exam results in 2025. Meanwhile, Hanoi Medical University, in its admissions method combining high school graduation exam results with international English or French language certificates, only accepts IELTS or TOEFL certificates.

Among major universities, Hanoi University of Science and Technology currently accepts VSTEP certificates. The Academy of Journalism and Communication also accepts VSTEP certificates in this year's university admissions. Hanoi University of Science and Technology stated that in addition to admissions based on international certificates, candidates with VSTEP English certificates or other international English certificates (registered and verified on the system) can convert them into English scores when applying for admission based on high school graduation exam scores (combinations A01, D01, D04, D07) and receive bonus points when applying through the talent-based admission method (category 1.2, 1.3) and when applying based on the Thinking Skills Assessment test scores.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Phong Dien, Vice Director of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, since 2023, the VSTEP certificate has been included in the admission criteria of Hanoi University of Science and Technology. The Ministry of Education and Training's standardization of the VSTEP exam has helped this domestic foreign language certificate increasingly assert its position. In addition, this action by the Ministry of Education and Training has social significance, saving time and money and making it suitable for a wide range of learners.

According to Circular No. 01/2014 issued by the Ministry of Education and Training, the VSTEP certificate completely replaced the previous A, B, and C foreign language certificates, which were considered to be of little substance. The Ministry of Education and Training uses the VSTEP as a standard for evaluating teachers' foreign language proficiency. In addition, the VSTEP certificate is used when considering foreign language requirements for entry into the third year of university and for graduation. This certificate is also used in entrance and graduation examinations for postgraduate programs at many universities nationwide. Candidates with a VSTEP B1 certificate are exempt from the English exam in master's degree examinations. Some government agencies also require the VSTEP certificate in civil servant and public employee recruitment examinations.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/tuyen-sinh-dai-hoc-chung-chi-tieng-anh-noi-van-e-10300991.html