Candidates at the Hai Ba Trung High School examination center in Vinh Phuc province appear confident before the exam - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH
This morning, June 26th, over 1.1 million students nationwide began taking the first subject of the 2025 high school graduation exam: Literature, with a time limit of 120 minutes.
This is the first year the high school graduation exam is being held according to the 2018 General Education Program, so the exam questions and preparation methods are of particular interest to the candidates.
Among the subjects, Literature caused the most anxiety for candidates due to a major change in the question-setting process (as shown in the sample exam): textbook materials were not selected for the reading comprehension, social commentary, and literary analysis sections.
"The exam questions don't use material from textbooks, but depending on the specific requirements of the exam, candidates can still use both textbook and non-textbook materials as examples and evidence for the arguments presented in the essay," noted Ms. Hoang Anh, a teacher at Chu Van An High School (Tay Ho District, Hanoi ). She also reminded candidates that when researching and choosing to use material from social media, they must find reliable sources.
This year, Hanoi has the highest number of high school graduation exam candidates nationwide, with over 124,000 candidates, an increase of over 15,000 compared to last year. The city has 233 examination centers with nearly 5,000 examination rooms, including 4 centers specifically for students studying under the 2006 curriculum.
In Ho Chi Minh City, according to statistics from the Department of Education and Training, the city has 99,578 registered candidates, an increase of 8,891 compared to 2024. Notably, the number of independent candidates this year has increased by 5,000.
Of the total number of registered candidates, 97,940 are following the 2018 general education program and 1,638 are following the 2006 program.
The city organized 171 examination centers with 4,242 examination rooms, including 168 centers for candidates from the 2018 program (corresponding to 4,180 rooms), and 3 centers for candidates from the 2006 program (62 rooms). Each examination center was also equipped with 3 reserve rooms to handle any unforeseen situations during the exam.
To ensure exam security, surveillance cameras will be installed in the rooms where exam papers and answer sheets are stored at all 171 examination centers, with completion scheduled for June 19th. The camera system will cover the entire area containing exam papers and answer sheets, recording all actions taken with these items and continuously storing data, even in the event of a power outage.
Many candidates arrived at the exam site at Le Quy Don High School, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, as early as 6 am - Photo: THANH HIEP
Minh Khue's parents (Le Quy Don High School, District 3) reminded her to double-check her documents and belongings before entering the exam room - Photo: THANH HIEP
Teachers from Tran Cao Van Secondary and High School are taking attendance at the exam site at Tran Hung Dao High School, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: NHU HUNG
Minh Trong, a student from Nguyen Du Secondary School in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, had to use crutches to take the exam but was confident he could do well - Photo: MY DUNG
At the Nguyen Du Secondary School examination center in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, many candidates arrived early, excitedly getting acquainted with friends and the examination site.
The students here are candidates taking the exam under the 2006 program and are independent candidates.
Le Hoang Khang, born in 2004, said this was his second time taking the high school graduation exam, so he was no longer nervous. "The first time I took the exam, I didn't apply to any school. After that, I did my military service, so now I'm taking the graduation exam again to apply to a police academy," Hoang Khang said.
Similarly, Ly Quoc Bang, from Hau Giang, is also taking the high school graduation exam for the second time with the aim of applying to universities and colleges in the near future. "I've studied thoroughly, and I hope I can do well on the exam. Literature isn't my strongest subject, but I've tried my best," Ly Quoc Bang said.
At this same exam location, a student suffered a broken leg after falling while on the way to the exam. Despite the accident and the need to get to the exam, the student was very cheerful as they entered the first exam, Literature.
Nguyen Do Minh Trong said that he fell last Thursday and injured his leg, which affected his studying, but he was still confident going into the exam. "I'm currently serving in the military, and I don't think this injury will affect my performance in the exam," Trong shared.
The Nguyen Du Secondary School examination center is for independent candidates, taking the exam according to the 2006 general education program. There are over 300 candidates taking the exam here. They will take three subjects: Literature, Mathematics, and Foreign Language, and depending on their choice, they may also take an elective exam such as Natural Sciences or Social Sciences.
Candidates check their exam room assignments at Chu Van An High School (Hanoi) during the exam registration process - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH
Candidates present at the exam site at Luong The Vinh Secondary and High School, Hanoi - Photo: NAM TRAN
Male students at the exam center at Luong The Vinh Secondary and High School, Hanoi - Photo: NAM TRAN
Checking documents and items allowed into the exam room with friends - Photo: NAM TRAN
Female students in Da Lat at the Thang Long High School exam site - Photo: MV
The homeroom teacher is taking attendance of the students in her class participating in the 2025 high school graduation exam, photo taken at the Hai Ba Trung High School exam center (Vinh Phuc) - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH
Student Ton Nu Thi Mo (Class 12C4, Dang Tran Con High School, Phu Xuan District, Hue City) was assisted by volunteers who helped push her wheelchair into the examination room. Mo suffered a traffic accident in 2019, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. Only now has she been able to fulfill her dream of becoming a candidate in the 2025 high school graduation exam. - Photo: Nguyen Duc Huynh
On the morning of June 26th, Phan Ho Chau Anh, a candidate from Chu Pah district, Gia Lai province, was transported by ambulance from the University Medical Center - Hoang Anh Gia Lai Hospital to the exam center to participate in the first exam session. Chau Anh was involved in a traffic accident on the morning of June 25th. She suffered a crushed right ankle, a fracture, dislocation, and a torn extensor tendon. Doctors performed surgery and provided urgent treatment to ensure she was healthy enough to participate in this year's exam. This morning, Chau Anh received a bandage change and medication early so she could arrive at the exam site on time.
An ambulance transported candidate Phan Ho Chau Anh, residing in Chu Pah district, Gia Lai province, to the exam site on the morning of June 26th. Chau Anh was involved in an accident on June 25th. - Photo: TAN LUC
At examination centers in Son Dong district (Bac Giang province), police officers, volunteer youth, and assigned officials guided candidates in depositing their belongings, checked their items, and ensured that no mobile phones, documents, smart devices, cameras, etc., were left behind.
Mr. Nguyen Khac Khanh, head of the exam center at Son Dong No. 2 High School (Bac Giang), said that the exam center had clearly assigned tasks at the "soft gate". This is where officials are present from 6:00 AM and 12:45 PM to remind students before entering the exam room to have all the necessary documents, pens, and permitted study materials.
In particular, Mr. Khanh noted that neither officials nor candidates are allowed to bring mobile phones, smartwatches, etc., into the examination hall.
According to Mr. Bach Dang Khoa, deputy director of the Department of Education and Training of Bac Giang province, the department has instructed examination centers to ensure the best possible facilities, security, and safety for candidates, and to implement soft gates at school entrances, with staff assigned to handle the task depending on the situation.
Candidates in Bac Giang pass through a "soft gate" area before entering the examination area - Photo: HA QUAN
At the exam site at Lac Long Quan High School (Khanh Vinh district, Khanh Hoa province), parents and students arrived early to begin the first exam subject, Literature.
This is the only examination center in this mountainous district, and the majority of candidates taking the exam here are members of local ethnic minority groups.
Anxiously bringing his child to the exam site, Mr. Cao Van Tinh said he had lost sleep and appetite for the past few days as his child entered this important exam, hoping that his child would remain calm and complete the test successfully.
Candidate Mau Thi Xuan Ngoc (Nguyen Thai Binh High School) shared: "This is the first year taking the high school graduation exam under the 2018 General Education Program. I feel a lot of pressure, but I'm also ready and have prepared myself mentally to do my best on the exam."
In 2025, Khanh Hoa province has 14,780 candidates registered to take the high school graduation exam.
Of these, 14,537 candidates took the 2018 General Education Program exam, and 243 candidates took the 2006 General Education Program exam.
A candidate named TNK mistakenly went to the wrong exam location at the last minute and received assistance from traffic police in Da Lat. The candidate was supposed to take the exam at Tran Phu High School but went to the wrong location, Bui Thi Xuan High School. - Photo: MV
Parents give their daughter advice before the first exam - Photo: MINH PHƯƠNG
Candidates at the Luong The Vinh Secondary and High School examination center check and fill in their personal information in the examination room - Photo: NAM TRAN
Candidates at the exam center at Luong The Vinh Secondary and High School (Hanoi) check and fill in their personal information in the exam room - Photo: NAM TRAN
Supervisors encourage candidates before the exam at the Le Duan High School exam center (Buon Ma Thuot City) - Photo: MINH PHUONG
Exam supervisors guide candidates to their positions (Buon Ma Thuot City) - Photo: MINH PHUONG
A student taking the exam at Le Quy Don High School in Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province, takes advantage of the time to review their lessons - Photo: TRUNG TAN
Candidates discuss the literature exam at the exam center at Le Quy Don High School, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak - Photo: TRUNG TAN
Candidates wait to enter the examination room at Chau Van Liem High School examination center, Can Tho City - Photo: T. Luy
Candidates taking the literature exam in Nam Can town, Nam Can district, Ca Mau province - Photo: THANH HUYEN
This morning, over 17,700 candidates in Dong Thap took their first exam. The weather was cool and cloudy, but quite favorable for candidates to get to the exam centers. - Photo: DANG TUYET
Tran Phuong Thao, a student from Nguyen Trung Truc High School (in Rach Gia City, Kien Giang province), is cheerful and confident about doing well in the exam. - Photo: CHI CONG
Due to the rain in Kien Giang this morning, local authorities assisted in transporting candidates to the examination centers on time - Photo: CHI CONG
Parents encourage their children before the exam - Photo: CHI CONG
Details of the 2025 high school graduation exam schedule - Graphics: NGOC THANH
Items allowed in the 2025 high school graduation exam - Graphic: NGOC THANH
The "Choosing University and College Admission Preferences 2025" event will be held in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
The two-day "University and College Admissions Application Selection Fair" for 2025, jointly organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper and the Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education and Training), will take place simultaneously in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi on July 19th.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the event will take place on the campus of the University of Technology, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10). In Hanoi, the event will take place on the campus of Hanoi University of Technology (1 Dai Co Viet Street, Hai Ba Trung District). Parents and candidates can enter free of charge.
After the Ministry of Education and Training announces the high school graduation exam results and begins the registration and adjustment of university and college admission preferences, the "Preference Selection Day" is an opportunity for candidates to update information directly, receive timely advice, and gain more confidence before the "preference closing" on the system during this crucial period.
At the event, students and parents will have the opportunity to interact one-on-one with experts from the Ministry of Education and Training, admissions representatives from universities, and experienced career counselors. All questions from parents and students will be answered thoroughly, based on real-world data and the latest trends for 2025.
Hundreds of booths offering direct consultations from major domestic and international universities, colleges, vocational schools, and study abroad consulting agencies are expected to be spread throughout the event spaces in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thi-sinh-bat-dau-thi-mon-van-ky-thi-tot-nghiep-thpt-2025-20250625211358832.htm
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