Candidates are excited, parents are supportive.
Starting in mid-April, the entrance exam for the 49th cohort of regular university students (Phase 1) at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports attracted more than 4,000 applications – a record high in recent years.
This number not only shows the growing interest of candidates, but also clearly reflects the shift in social awareness towards the field of sports. The school campus was bustling with candidates and parents from many provinces and cities who came to participate in the talent test. The atmosphere was both tense and excited, because for many students, this was not just an exam, but also the starting point for their journey to pursue their passion.
Accompanying her daughter from An Giang to Ho Chi Minh City for the exam, Ms. Doan Thi Cam Chau (Hoa Thuan commune, An Giang) said that her family left the day before to arrive in time for the morning exam. Her daughter registered to compete in badminton – a sport she has loved since childhood. “If she likes it, I support her, I just encourage her to pursue her passion. If she passes, that's great, if not, consider it an experience…,” she shared.
According to Ms. Chau, training facilities in the local area are limited, but the family still tries to create opportunities for their child to get involved in sports from an early age. Since the second grade, the child has participated in martial arts classes at the local cultural center to improve physical fitness. "The environment now is quite harsh, so I want my child to have good health and a strong foundation from a young age," she added.
This is not an isolated case; many other parents are also actively supporting their children throughout the selection process. Choosing a career in sports is no longer seen as "risky" as before, but is gradually being recognized as a serious path with the potential for sustainable career development.
From the perspective of a contestant, Pham Van Dong (a 12th-grade student from Binh Chanh High School for Gifted Athletes) said that he competed in the men's 400m race and achieved a time of 59.53 seconds - placing him in the fairly good group. For Dong, participating in the competition was not only to test his abilities but also a calculated step towards his future path.
“My first choice is Physical Education , and my second choice is Sports Coaching. If there are subsequent exam sessions, I will still register to improve my results,” Dong said. The male student also shared that, in addition to the exam at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports, he plans to register for the aptitude test at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports in the near future.
According to Dong, participating in multiple exams increases the chances of admission and allows for an accurate assessment of one's abilities through each test. "Each school has different organizational methods and criteria, so taking more exams gives me more options and helps me understand my current level so I can adjust my training accordingly," she said.
In reality, many candidates this year tend to develop clear application strategies instead of focusing on a single opportunity. Actively participating in multiple aptitude tests and applying to various training institutions demonstrates serious preparation and an increasingly competitive mindset. At the same time, this reflects a shift in candidates' perception of the sports and physical education field – from subjective feelings to a concrete, long-term career orientation.
Candidates register their preferences for admission to the physical education and sports major. Photo: Thuy LinhExpand opportunities, diversify methods
In Ho Chi Minh City, along with the development of the training system, sports and physical education majors are expanding significantly in scale and variety. Besides traditional majors such as Physical Education or Sports Coaching, many new fields such as Sports Management and Sports Biomedical Sciences are also attracting the attention of prospective students.
This reality shows that sports is no longer a small "niche" in higher education, but is gradually becoming a clearly defined profession, meeting society's need for high-quality human resources in the fields of healthcare, training, teaching, and management.
In 2026, Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports will recruit 1,300 students for its full-time undergraduate program and 345 students for its part-time program, across four majors: Sports Coaching, Physical Education, Sports Management, and Sports Biomedical Sciences.
According to Dr. Vo Quoc Thang, the school's principal, the more than 4,000 applications for the aptitude test are clear evidence of society's growing confidence in the quality of education. At the same time, this also places higher demands on the organization of the entrance examination, ensuring fairness, transparency, and adherence to regulations.
Notably, the part-time study program continues to be maintained with a curriculum and qualifications equivalent to the full-time program, providing flexibility for learners - especially those who are already working or who are unable to pursue full-time studies.
Regarding the 2026 admissions process, the school will apply three main methods, combining academic performance and aptitude test scores. Specifically, candidates can choose to apply based on their high school graduation exam scores combined with aptitude; based on their high school transcripts combined with aptitude; or through direct admission as regulated by the Ministry of Education and Training.
A common requirement among all methods is a mandatory aptitude test, with a minimum score of 5.0/10 or higher. The Physical Education major also has additional requirements: a GPA of at least "good" in 12th grade or a graduation exam score of 6.5 or higher – except in some special cases such as high-achieving athletes. Furthermore, the projected tuition fee of approximately 15 million VND per academic year, implemented according to a set schedule, is considered appropriate and helps reduce the financial burden on students.
Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports also implemented a recruitment plan with a total target of 500 students, focusing on the fields of Physical Education, Sports Coaching, and Sports Management.
The talent test registration process is conducted online, with in-person assessments including physical fitness, 30m sprint, and standing long jump. Notably, preferential policies for candidates with national and international competition achievements continue to be maintained – allowing exemption from the talent test or awarding bonus points, thereby encouraging the development of high-performance sports.
In Ho Chi Minh City, candidates can also choose to study physical education and sports at Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, or Ho Chi Minh City University of Management and Technology. These universities recruit students through various methods such as high school graduation exam scores, academic transcripts, or aptitude tests; some majors also incorporate physical fitness criteria.
Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/nganh-the-thao-hut-thi-sinh-post775928.html
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