Candidates and parents listen to advice on the joint educational training program between Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Western Sydney University (Australia) - Photo: THANH HIEP
On the morning of July 19, the 2025 University and College Admissions Selection Day took place at the University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University) and Hanoi University of Technology. The festival was organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper in coordination with the Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education and Training), the University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University) and Hanoi University of Technology with the support of Vingroup Corporation.
Dedicated advice
Candidate Thai Quoc Hoc, a student at Vung Tau High School, left early to attend the festival in Ho Chi Minh City. Although he had decided to pursue the field of mechatronics - electricity - electronics and had a score of about 23 points in the A01 block, and 1,000 points in the competency assessment exam, Hoc still wanted to learn more before officially registering his wishes.
At the consulting booths, Hoc received enthusiastic answers from university teachers about training programs, career opportunities as well as student support policies...
"I have already chosen a few schools such as Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University), Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education... so I came to today's fair to ask more about job opportunities after graduation, what to prepare when entering the university environment and the cost of living and studying in Ho Chi Minh City to recalculate the priority of my wishes", Quoc Hoc shared.
Meanwhile, Khanh Huy - a student at Nguyen Tat Thanh High School (HCMC) - came to the fair to learn more about two majors he was undecided about: materials engineering and chemical engineering. Huy said he was considering Ton Duc Thang University and the University of Natural Sciences (HCMC National University) after scoring more than 23 points in block A00.
"I saw that the benchmark scores for these majors last year were close to mine, so I'm choosing them. I came to ask about the tuition fees and the subjects I'll study in four years," Huy shared.
The consultants answered in detail, going straight to the heart of tuition fees and study programs. In addition to the consultation, Huy also wanted to directly visit the learning spaces of the schools and planned to visit the University of Natural Sciences and Ton Duc Thang University to get more impressions before deciding on his wishes.
Ngoc Dieu - a student from Cu Chi High School (HCMC) - said that at first she really wanted to study computer-related majors at Ton Duc Thang University, but her exam scores were not as expected. Her exam scores were 6 in math, 8.75 in literature, 6.5 in English, and 6.75 in physics, so she came to the fair hoping to find some more private schools that had this major or other related majors to have backup plans.
Mr. Nguyen Quy Nhan said he and his son came to the festival early to receive direct advice from the teachers. His son is a student at Phu Nhuan High School (HCMC). "We want to hear more information so that we can finalize a decision that is suitable for his ability," he said.
According to the scoring method of the University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University), his son got 71 points - quite good. The family came to the fair with the goal of reviewing the majors they planned to apply for one last time, and at the same time listening to advice from experts to avoid choosing a major that was beyond their ability or missing out on suitable options due to lack of information.
Candidates seek information at the consulting booth - Photo: DANH KHANG
Many important notes
MSc. Chung Quoc Phong - Head of Admissions Department of Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages and Information Technology - said that during the 2025 University and College Admissions Choice Day, candidates came to the school's consulting booth to learn about a variety of issues, including study paths, tuition fees, scholarship policies and internship opportunities... There were also students wondering whether they could be admitted to the school with their current scores.
According to Mr. Phong, the time of the festival is very suitable when all candidates already know their high school graduation exam scores. High school graduation exam scores and scores during the learning process are a basis for being able to advise students more closely, helping candidates visualize their learning ability to consider suitable majors. For example, if they do not take the English exam but want to study English, they will be informed in advance about the learning paths to have better preparation.
One noticeable point is that most candidates come with their parents. "The candidates are often interested in the study program, while their parents ask carefully about the tuition fees. Thanks to that, the whole family can discuss directly on the spot before making the final decision," said Mr. Phong.
At the consulting area of the University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University), the consulting booth on microchip design attracted many candidates and parents. Master Tran Hoang Quan, lecturer of the electronics department, faculty of electrical and electronic engineering, said that many students came to distinguish between majors with similar names such as microchip design and telecommunications electronics. Others were concerned about the difference in tuition fees between the mass program and the high-quality program.
According to Mr. Quan, 2025 will see candidates showing special interest in the field of microchips, but this is also a highly competitive field. However, he advises candidates not to worry too much about their scores, but to divide their preferences according to the following principles: first is their favorite field, even if it may be "out of this world"; next are fields that match their abilities; and finally, a safe option that is easier to get into than the score they have achieved. "The two factors that need to be put first when choosing a field are extreme interest and finances," Mr. Quan emphasized.
Dr. Vo Van Tuan - Vice Principal of Van Lang University - shared that one of the issues that many parents are concerned about is how to register their wishes on the system and important timelines.
He noted that this year, candidates only need to register for their major, without having to distinguish between admission methods like previous years. At the school's consulting booth, teachers directly guided the registration process to help candidates and parents do it correctly, avoiding mistakes that could affect the admission results.
Mr. Trinh Ngoc Tuyen - admissions consultant of Saigon International University - said that besides the admissions process, this is also an opportunity for students to prepare for the university environment. Many students asked questions about how to study effectively at university, accommodation, transportation, and getting around the school.
He said candidates should prepare in advance and learn about these things, especially those from the provinces, so that they can integrate early and best. Especially about how to study at university, learning early and preparing mentally early will help them to easily get acquainted, break through and achieve good results as well as "hunt" for scholarships when they go to university.
Parents ask questions to the advisory board - Photo: NAM TRAN
Many questions from... parents
Most of the questions raised at the consultation session of the 2025 University and College Admissions Choice Festival in Hanoi were from parents and teachers advising their children and students.
Ms. Tuyet Lan, a teacher in Hanoi, came to the festival to ask for information for 46 students in her class. The homeroom teacher was worried that the test scores of some subjects such as Math and English were much lower than other subjects. So is there a way to ensure fairness between candidates using different subject combinations to apply to the same major? Ms. Lan also wondered about the conversion of scores in cases where schools use multiple admission methods.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Thao, Director of the Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education and Training), said that as early as July 21, the Ministry of Education and Training will announce the percentile table (the difference between groups) as the basis for converting to a common scale to determine admission scores.
There are currently three equivalent score conversion frameworks: Conversion between exam scores (graduation exam scores, thinking assessment exams, and university capacity), combinations (in cases where there is a large difference between the original combinations and other combinations when using high school graduation exam scores for admission consideration), conversion of admission scores from academic records (because academic records are not uniform nationwide).
The conversion between admission methods and types of exam scores, certificates, and transcripts according to the original admission method is decided by the training institutions. In the conversion with admission combinations, schools must rely on the percentile table announced by the ministry. "In case schools put combinations outside the ministry's percentile table, the schools must explain this," said Mr. Thao.
Explaining further about this, MSc. Pham Thanh Ha - Deputy Head of the Department of Training Management of Foreign Trade University - said "each school will have a conversion percentile. Currently, the Ministry of Education and Training does not specify which method is the original method for conversion, but each school will determine the original method as the basis for conversion. For example, Foreign Trade University will use the admission method of considering high school graduation exam scores as the original method".
This year is the first year that the Ministry of Education and Training has issued regulations on converting equivalent scores for admission purposes to ensure fairness for candidates when training institutions use many admission methods.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Thao reminded candidates not to be subjective in the process of registering their wishes on the admission system. In particular, it is necessary to remember the registration schedule to avoid exceeding the deadline, the system will close at 5:00 p.m. on July 28.
"Although there is no limit on the number of admission wishes, candidates need to remember to prioritize their most desired wishes. Because if a candidate is qualified to pass any wish, the admission system will stop at that wish and not consider further.
From July 29, the system will open for candidates to pay the admission fee. If candidates do not remember to pay the admission fee, the system will not recognize the candidate's registered wishes" - Mr. Thao said.
Technical concerns about registering wishes on the Ministry of Education and Training system are still the most asked questions by many parents, high school teachers and candidates. These include: How to rank wishes? In case of direct admission (decided by the school), is it mandatory to put the direct admission wish as the first wish? What combinations and methods should be registered to have an advantage?
Choose major or school first?
The question of many parents and candidates is "choose major first or school first?", some parents also shared that there are schools that their family and children dream of, so they are very hesitant about registering for their dream school even though they may study an unsuitable major or choose a suitable major, regardless of whether it is their dream school.
"Choose a major first, then a school" is the advice of teachers in the advisory board at the festival in Hanoi. Dr. Nguyen Thi Cuc Phuong, vice principal of Hanoi University, said that "the training major and future career will follow you for life, so choosing a major is very important. After choosing a major, then see which schools offer the same training in that major to choose from. You can choose a major from many schools".
Many "unique" consulting methods
Many universities bring practical and experimental equipment, models, and animals related to their training to attract candidates' attention. At the consulting area of Hung Vuong University (HCMC), a bartending performance attracts candidates. Vien Dong College brings a car to the festival. The veterinary department of Nguyen Tat Thanh University brings many types of animals such as pythons, monitor lizards, dogs, etc. to the festival to introduce the major. At the consulting area of FPT University, a robot with many funny actions attracts candidates...
In addition to mixing drinks, bartending performances are an interesting activity at the consulting area of Hung Vuong University, Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: MG
Taiwanese universities attract Vietnamese students
The 2025 University and College Admissions Selection Fair attracted many universities from Taiwan with attractive scholarship programs for Vietnamese students. Prof. Dr. Tran Hoa Hien - Education Counselor at the Education Department, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City - commented that Taiwan is always one of the top study abroad destinations that Vietnamese parents prioritize thanks to its close geographical location, cultural similarities and especially many support policies for international students.
Candidates learn about scholarships to study abroad in Taiwan - Photo: T. THIEP
Consulting and livestreaming
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Thuyet - admissions specialist of Ho Chi Minh City College of Economics - shared at the fair that the school's admissions team allocated people to both provide direct consultation and livestream on TikTok to help candidates access information as quickly and promptly as possible.
He noted that this year there are changes in colleges: some colleges participate in the general admission system of the Ministry of Education and Training, such as Ho Chi Minh City College of Economics. Candidates need to remember the school code and search the system to register their wishes. As for colleges that do not participate in the system, candidates need to contact directly and submit separate applications according to the regulations of each school.
The whole family from Dak Lak attended the festival.
Traveling hundreds of kilometers, Mr. Nguyen Van Giang and his wife took their son from Dak Lak to Ho Chi Minh City to attend the festival. The whole family departed at 10 p.m. and upon arrival, they went straight to the festival grounds to get early consultation.
He said his son scored 29.25 points in the A00 block and 1,041 points in the competency assessment exam. He prioritized the microchip and semiconductor design group. "Even though he scored high, he was still worried because many of his friends were also good, so he came to the festival to get more information and see if there were any other backup plans," Giang shared.
* Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Thao (Director of Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Training):
Crucial moment to make decision
The next 10 days are an important time for candidates to make decisions about choosing a major/school, looking back at their strengths and seeing what their dreams are.
The university threshold is not the final destination but just the beginning step in the process of growing up, a journey very different from what you have experienced.
There is no university, no career that is ideal, has a high salary and is easy to get a job if we do not try our best with all our love, heart and mind; there is no successful career without pressure, sweat and tears; there is no high score if we are self-confident and complacent early; there is no door that closes if we do not give up on our dreams, there is no path that is a red carpet if we do not understand the path we are taking.
Whoever you are, whatever path you choose, the important thing is to understand yourself, dare to dream and be brave enough to pursue that dream. Believe that the decision you make today, no matter what major or school, you must be responsible for your decision.
When you put your faith in it and try your best, the magical door will open to opportunities for self-development.
* Journalist Le The Chu (editor-in-chief of Tuoi Tre newspaper):
Support for new students in difficult circumstances to go to school
At present, students are facing many choices, many crossroads, concerns about choosing a major, which school is suitable for their abilities, interests, family conditions and future orientation... This is also the reason why Tuoi Tre newspaper and other units organize the 2025 Aspiration Selection Festival.
In addition to advising students on choosing a major and choosing a school, Tuoi Tre newspaper also helps disadvantaged new students to go to school. Over the past 20 years, the newspaper's Helping New Students to Go to School scholarship has helped more than 25,000 disadvantaged new students.
This year, the scholarship continues to accompany poor but studious students. If parents know of new students who have been admitted to university but are in difficult circumstances, please introduce them to Tuoi Tre newspaper.
Military schools do not divide quotas into different methods.
Colonel Do Thanh Tam - Secretary of the Military Admissions Board of the Ministry of National Defense - said that according to the admission regulations of the Ministry
In 2025, schools will not be allowed to divide their enrollment quotas according to each method or combination of admissions, and military schools will also comply with this regulation.
When conducting admissions, if a school uses many different admission methods and combinations, military schools can determine the score difference between the combinations to ensure fairness when candidates have equivalent admission scores.
However, because most military schools use admission combinations with two common subjects, from 2024 onwards, schools will announce a standard score for all admission combinations.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chuyen-gia-huong-dan-cach-dat-nguyen-vong-xet-tuyen-an-toan-nhieu-co-hoi-dau-20250720084956027.htm
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