In 2025, Ho Chi Minh City (before the merger) has 2 specialized schools under the Department of Education and Training (GDĐT), including: Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted and Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted.
According to Lao Dong's statistics, the benchmark score for nguyện vọng 1 (NV1) is maintained at a high level, and also shows a clear differentiation between subjects. The benchmark score ranges from 27 to 37.5 points, creating a difference of more than 10 points between specialized classes.
In the highest group, the Biology specialized class of Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted leads with 37.5 points. This is also one of the highest scores in many years. In addition, the Math specialized class is also at a high level with 37.25 points; Literature specialized class achieved 36 points, while English specialized class - Project 5965 and English specialized class have benchmark scores of 35.75 and 35.5 points respectively.
At Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted, the NV1 benchmark score is lower but still at a high level. Some classes such as specialized Biology (35.75 points), specialized Literature (35.5 points), specialized Mathematics (35.25 points), specialized English - Project 5965 (35 points)...
Overall, the group of subjects Math, Informatics, English, Literature and Biology continue to be the subjects with the highest benchmark scores.
In the middle group, NV1 benchmark scores range from 30 to under 35 points, concentrated in subjects such as Chemistry, Physics and Geography. Compared to the upper group, the competition level in these classes is "easier to breathe".
Meanwhile, the lowest group belongs to History. At Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted, the NV1 benchmark score is only 27 points, the lowest in the school. At Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted, this subject also only takes 30 points.
For top specialized classes, candidates almost have to achieve an average score of 8.5-9 points or higher per subject to have a chance of passing.
In 2026 (after the merger), Ho Chi Minh City will have 2 more specialized schools under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, which are Hung Vuong High School for the Gifted and Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted.
Candidates taking the 10th grade specialized entrance exam can register 2 aspirations for specialized classes at 4 specialized high schools ranked in priority order (spiration 1 is the highest aspiration). Admission consideration will start from aspiration 1, which aspiration is admitted, candidates will study that aspiration.
If not admitted to the 10th grade specialized high school or admitted but not confirmed for enrollment, candidates will continue to be considered for admission in 3 regular 10th grade aspirations.
Candidates will take 4 exams. Among them, 3 non-specialized exams include Mathematics and Literature (120 minutes/subject), Foreign Language is foreign language 1 being studied at school (90 minutes). In addition, candidates take an additional specialized subject exam according to the registered subject with a time of 150 minutes.
For candidates taking specialized subjects that are foreign languages, they can choose to take the exam in the correct registered specialized foreign language.
The admission score for specialized classes is calculated according to the formula:
Literature + Math + Foreign Language + (specialized subject score × 2).
Candidates are only considered for admission when they take enough exams, do not violate exam regulations and all exams achieve above 2 points.
The entrance exam to 10th grade for the 2026-2027 school year in Ho Chi Minh City will take place in 2 days, June 1st and 2nd.
