Vietnam caps university admission bonuses at 0.5 points for 2027

Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training announced on 13 November 2026 that university admission bonuses across the affected categories will be capped at a combined 0.5 points, rather than a separate allowance for each achievement, in 2027 and abolished from 2028. Universities typically combine high-school graduation examination results in 3 subjects relevant to an applicant’s chosen major, for a maximum score of 30 points.

VnExpress said holders of IELTS, an English-proficiency certificate, can currently receive up to 3 additional admission points.

Which bonuses are affected

Dân trí described the requirements as provisions of a ministry circular, following an earlier draft released for public comment. Universities that used bonuses under the rules through 2026 may choose to retain them during the transition, within the new cap, but must justify their use.

The circular covers bonuses for national academic-competition winners who do not use direct admission, applicants with special achievements or talents, and holders of foreign-language or international certificates.

Why the ministry is changing the system

The ministry says the change aims to make admissions fairer. In September 2026, Nguyen Tien Thao, director of the Department of Higher Education, said access to international language tests and similar academic activities depended heavily on where students lived and their economic background. He said universities’ differing conversion rates and bonus levels compounded that inequality.

In 2025, more than 37,300 applicants used English-proficiency certificates, primarily IELTS, to obtain bonus points. The most common score was IELTS 6.0, submitted by over 8,300 applicants. Universities assigned that same score 26 different bonus-point levels, creating disparities, the ministry said.

Many students interviewed by VnExpress said their parents paid for thousand-dollar courses to help them obtain an IELTS score that would earn admission bonuses.

How IELTS can still count

Applicants may still convert IELTS results into foreign-language subject scores rather than admission bonus points if their university accepts the certificates.