Many career paths after lower secondary school.

After graduating from lower secondary school, students no longer have only one option: taking the entrance exam to a public upper secondary school. With the development of vocational education and continuing education systems, new training models such as vocational secondary schools and the 9+ system are opening up more flexible paths, allowing learners to study both general education and vocational skills, and to plan their future early.

Students learn about different vocational training models. Photo: Thang Long Vocational College.

Diverse options after grade 9

In recent years, after completing lower secondary school, students have more options instead of focusing solely on the entrance exam to public upper secondary schools. Besides private high schools, students can attend vocational training centers, continuing education programs, or participate in vocational secondary education programs following the 9+ model.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, Head of the Examination Management and Educational Quality Assurance Department of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, the choice of path after lower secondary school should be based on academic ability, family circumstances, and long-term career orientation. He believes that the current education system is diverse enough to meet the needs of many different groups of students, no longer limited to the traditional upper secondary school path.

In Hanoi, nearly 58,000 students are currently enrolled in continuing education programs at 29 vocational training centers, 53 secondary and college-level schools, and 4 art schools. The majority of these students are pursuing a model that combines academics and vocational skills, thanks to advantages such as shorter training time, reasonable costs, and early job opportunities.

The 9+ model allows students, after graduating from 9th grade, to simultaneously study the prescribed general education curriculum and pursue vocational training at secondary or higher education institutions. After approximately 4-5 years, students can receive a college diploma and enter the labor market or continue their studies at a higher level.

Ms. Tran Thi Hai Yen, Deputy Director of the Hoai Duc Vocational Education and Continuing Education Center (Hanoi), said that this model offers many clear advantages. Students studying at public institutions receive the same tuition fees as high school students. At the same time, the vocational training program is free of charge according to the general government policy, significantly reducing costs for families.

An important point is that the training time is shortened, helping students to quickly adapt to the work environment and enter the labor market.

Besides reducing the pressure of prolonged studying, the 9+ model also helps students orient their careers earlier, limiting the tendency to choose majors based on trends but lacking suitability to their abilities.

You may also like

Thu Dau Mot University receives the Traditional Flag from the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City.On the morning of June 24th, Thu Dau Mot University held a ceremony to celebrate its 50th anniversary (1976-2026) and 17th anniversary of its establishment (2009-2026), and also received the Traditional Flag from the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City.

When history becomes a bridge of friendshipWithout any pre-prepared questions, Warrant Officer Soukthavy Vongmany, a student of the first cohort of Cultural Management at the Vietnam Military University of Culture and Arts, entered the Vietnam Military History Museum with a desire to learn more about the country where he was studying. Following in the footsteps of the Lao student through time-worn artifacts, documentary photographs, and stories of the special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, I felt how history is connecting today's young people with the past, with peace and friendship between the two nations.

Thu Dau Mot University continues to develop as an innovative university.On June 24th, Thu Dau Mot University held a ceremony to celebrate its 50th anniversary (1976-2026) and 17th anniversary of its establishment (2009-2026).

Changing mindsets and the challenges they present

One of the key factors driving the development of the 9+ model is supportive government policies.

According to Government Decree 238/2025/ND-CP dated September 3, 2025, students enrolled in this model are exempt from all tuition fees for the intermediate level for two years in all training programs. When continuing their studies at the college level, students also receive a 70% tuition fee subsidy for some key programs such as industrial electricity, automotive technology, fashion design, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, and welding.

These policies not only help reduce the financial burden on families but also contribute to attracting students to fields that are experiencing a shortage of high-quality technical workers.

In many vocational education institutions, students also receive enhanced practical training and hands-on experience at businesses during their studies. This is a crucial factor in improving vocational skills and increasing their employability after graduation.

According to Mr. Le Dinh Chien, Deputy Principal of Thanh Oai B High School (Hanoi), in recent years, parents have had a more realistic view when choosing a path for their children.

"Previously, many families wanted their children to attend public schools at all costs, but now they are more concerned about what environment suits their children and what abilities they possess. Some parents are also proactively researching vocational training, intermediate-level programs, and colleges instead of avoiding them as before," Mr. Chien shared.

This change has helped vocational education and continuing education gradually gain a more open perspective. However, according to experts, there are still limitations that need to be overcome. Some vocational education and continuing education centers lack uniformity in quality, and there are disparities in facilities between different units. In addition, social prejudices against vocational training still persist, with many people considering it a "lower" option compared to university.

Furthermore, not all 15-year-old students are mature enough to determine their future career. If they choose based on trends or lack understanding, they may easily become discouraged or change careers midway. Therefore, the guiding role of family and school is crucial.

You may also like

Tightening the management of tutoring and extra classes will create a turning point in reducing academic pressure.GD&TĐ - Establishing a strict legal framework helps reduce academic pressure, protect students' rights, and build a healthy school environment.

Ho Chi Minh City is piloting a decentralized teacher recruitment system for 246 schools.Ho Chi Minh City has just approved a pilot program to reform the operational mechanisms of 246 preschool and primary/secondary education institutions for the period 2026-2030. Accordingly, schools will have increased autonomy in teacher recruitment, personnel management, and the implementation of high-quality, internationally integrated educational programs.

Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training: Over 524,000 children's records have been digitized.The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training announced that over 524,000 children's records have been digitized; the child identification rate has reached 94.65%. Of these, 164,280 out of 165,899 children aged 5-6 have had their identities verified for enrollment at the primary school level, a rate of 99.02%.

Experts emphasize that diversifying post-secondary education pathways is an inevitable trend, helping to effectively channel students and meet the workforce needs of society. However, the most important thing is not choosing which path to take, but rather finding one that suits each student's abilities.

With proper guidance, students can develop their strengths, reduce academic pressure, and have a sustainable development path. In fact, many students who pursue continuing education or vocational training have found stable employment early on, while some students following the traditional academic path struggle if they lack clear direction. Therefore, instead of viewing public high school as the only path, parents should consider vocational education as a normal option with equivalent value within the education system.

Han Minh

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/nhieu-huong-di-sau-thcs.html