Increase combined admission, requiring many criteria
The Banking Academy uses three admission methods, including: Direct admission, combined admission, and based on high school graduation exam scores.
Compared to last year, the Banking Academy abolished independent transcript admission for students with good academic performance. Instead, in the combined admission method, the school uses transcript results combined with international certificates (SAT, IELTS, TOEFL iBT), scores from the HSA competency assessment test of Vietnam National University, Hanoi or the V-SAT entrance competency assessment test.
Similarly, the Academy of Journalism and Propaganda in 2026 no longer considers admissions based on high school transcript scores. The Academy enrolls students by 3 methods: Direct admission and priority admission according to the admission regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training and the Academy's regulations on majors suitable for the winning exam subject; admission combined with English certificates; admission based on the high school graduation exam results.
In the Southern region, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics (UEH) also adjusted and reduced the enrollment method from 5-6 methods as in previous years to 2 main methods: Direct admission and combined admission.
Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City determined that in 2026, 8 member units will innovate enrollment in the direction of streamlining, standardizing and improving quality. This university agreed to implement a comprehensive admission method, combining 3 groups of criteria: High school exam results, competency assessment results and high school learning process.
Dr. Le Viet Khuyen - Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Universities and Colleges supports the trend of increasing combined admission, using international foreign language certificates as one of the combined criteria in admission, instead of considering this as an independent admission method. This trend helps improve input quality, while reducing pressure and creating fair opportunities for candidates.
Gradually eliminate traditional combinations
Along with reducing admission methods and increasing combined admissions, many universities are expected to strongly adjust admission combinations in the 2026 enrollment season, including removing blocks C00 and A00 in a series of majors.
For example, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi is expected to abolish C00 combination admissions in 11 majors, including hot majors such as Journalism, Public Relations, Psychology...
The C00 combination is only applied in a number of majors such as Political Science, Social Work, Cinema and Mass Art, History, Archivology, Linguistics, Anthropology, Information - Library, Religious Studies, Philosophy, Cultural Studies, Literature, Vietnamese Studies and Sociology.
The Academy of Journalism and Propaganda also plans not to enroll in block C00, continuing to use 16 admission combinations, most of which have English or allow replacing English with international certificates.
Ho Chi Minh City University of Law said that in 2026, it will not use C00 and A00 combinations in admission based on high school graduation exam scores. Instead, the school will build new combinations with two common compulsory subjects: Literature and Foreign Language for the group of law majors, English language; or Math and English for the remaining majors. The third subject is chosen by candidates among the subjects of the 2018 General Education Program.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Nhu Hue - Deputy Head of the Management and Training, Training Department, Academy of Journalism and Propaganda said that this trend of schools is in line with the Government's new policy of making English a second language in schools.
When introducing Geography into the enrollment combination, students studying Literature, History, and Geography have complete opportunities. Some combinations have Literature or Geography, History or Geography,..." - Ms. Hue said and affirmed that the adjustment does not reduce candidates' chances of passing. Conversely, with the diversity of combinations, students have more opportunities.
Expected many new points in the high school graduation exam regulations
Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung, chief specialist of the Higher Education Department, Ministry of Education and Training, said that university entrance exams in 2026 are affected by Resolution 71-NQ/TW of the Politburo and laws in the field of education, leading to many adjustments in exams and admissions.
Mr. Hung informed that the 2026 high school graduation exam regulations are being consulted by the Ministry of Education and Training and are expected to have noteworthy new points: The exam is organized about half a month earlier than in 2025; Shortening the time for considering graduation recognition; Integrating temporary graduation certificates and exam results in one document; Simplifying and shortening the re-examination process.
These changes aim to reduce procedural pressure for candidates and educational institutions.
Regarding the 2026 university admission regulations, Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung said that the Ministry of Education and Training and schools need to soon announce specific admission regulations and plans to help candidates proactively develop their study plans, career orientation and choose suitable schools.
