In the 2025-2026 school year, Ho Chi Minh City plans to enroll more than 70,000 students in public grade 10, accounting for about 79% of the total of more than 88,000 students studying in secondary schools.
During this final period, grade 9 students focus on reviewing. The closed schedule from morning to night, some students even study by themselves until late at night. In addition to regular classes, many students also attend exam preparation classes at the center or study online to practice and supplement knowledge.
Nguyen Minh Khoi, a 9th grade student in Binh Thanh District, expressed his first wish to join Gia Dinh High School - one of the schools with the top admission scores shared every year. I currently have a school schedule that lasts from 7am to 9pm every day.
Minh Khoi said that in addition to classes at school, he also enrolls extra classes outside. "I feel tired but I don't dare to ignore it because my admission score is always high. I often solve a Math problem every day to get used to the pressure of time, this is a subject that I have a bit weak knowledge of," Minh Khoi said.
Similarly, another 9th grade student, Tran Phuong Linh, shared that she had chosen to enter Bui Thi Xuan High School with the first wish. The female student said that she is suffering from mild stress, because seeing how much she studies feels not enough.
I felt the biggest pressure was Literature. This year's exam can use data outside of textbooks, so every day, in addition to studying and reviewing, I also read more books and newspapers," Phuong Linh shared.
Phuong Linh added that she is trying to adjust her psychology. In addition to studying every day, he also participates in cycling in the afternoon or morning.
Mr. Cao Duc Khoa - Principal of Huynh Khuong Ninh Secondary School (District 1) - said that this year the school will not organize review classes according to 3 subjects (Math, Literature, English) but the review has been combined by teachers right in the learning process.
Teachers study as much as they teach, review as they review so that students study as much as they cant wait. In May, the school also organizes classes according to the normal timetable, without increasing lessons to ensure the health of students, they have enough time to study and review by themselves.
Experiment over the years shows that it is important for teachers to instruct students on how to study effectively, not just studying a lot is good. Learning and resting need to be arranged in a balanced way, avoiding studying too much, causing both mental pressure and affecting their health, said Mr. Khoa.
Participating in the 10th entrance exam, candidates will take 3 subjects: Math, Literature (120 minutes/subject) and Foreign Language (90 minutes, according to foreign language 1 being studied at school). Candidates who register for a specialized school or integrated class will take an additional exam in a specialized subject or equivalent integrated (150 minutes).
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training said that depending on the number of actual records and the needs of the schools, the Department will consider additional admissions to high schools that lack many targets.
