The city plans to have 103,739 slots in public high schools; however, as the number of secondary school graduates has surged, the maximum admission rate is 70 percent.

The public grade 10 entrance exam for the 2026-2027 school year is scheduled for June 1 and 2. Candidates will take three written exams: Literature, Mathematics (120 minutes each), and a Foreign Language (90 minutes).

Students can also attend exams to enter high schools for the gifted. There are four such schools in HCMC, including Le Hong Phong, Tran Dai Nghia, Hung Vuong, and Le Quy Don. 

Candidates must take four exams, including three common subjects (Math, Literature, and Foreign Language) and one specialized subject.

Calculations show that if all 9th graders take the exam, approximately 65,000 students will not pass into public schools. The education sector aims to maintain an enrollment rate of at least 70 percent, thereby reducing the number of "failed" candidates to about 51,000. However, the issue is not a lack of seats at schools, but rather finding appropriate pathways for students after secondary school.

Beyond the public system, HCMC also has a vast network of non-public and vocational education providers capable of admitting tens of thousands of students annually.

Private high schools and international schools play a vital role in the city’s education. In the former HCMC area alone, there are about 100 private and multi-level schools with annual quotas reaching tens of thousands. These schools manage their own enrollment plans independently.

Additionally, nearly 40 continuing education centers offer a flexible orientation where students can study academic subjects alongside vocational training. This is a suitable choice for those with average academic performance or those wishing to reduce exam pressure.

One trend encouraged by the education sector is for students to enroll in intermediate (2-year training) or college-level vocational programs (3-year training) after grade 9. HCMC’s system of vocational colleges is large and ready to accept secondary school graduates.

Vocational pathways gaining traction

One trend encouraged by the education sector is for students to pursue intermediate or junior college-level vocational programs after lower secondary school. HCMC currently has a large system of vocational and college institutions ready to admit Grade 9 graduates.

Students can apply to vocational schools or vocational–continuing education centers based on secondary education results, including graduation scores, four-year academic records, and Grade 9 performance.

The advantage of this pathway is the combination of academic knowledge and job skills. After about 3–4 years, students can complete intermediate or junior college programs by age 18–19 and enter the labor market early with practical skills.

According to Hoang Van Phuc, Rector of Saigon Polytechnic College, recent years have seen positive shifts in post-secondary streaming, offering students more options beyond the traditional high school route. 

“General education is not the only path. What matters is that students understand their abilities and interests to choose the right direction,” he said.

Alongside private high schools and continuing education centers, the “9+” model, i.e combining academic and vocational training, is becoming increasingly popular among parents and students.

Phuc noted that the 9+ program allows secondary school graduates to study both academic subjects and vocational skills, with the academic curriculum streamlined to seven core subjects.

Under this pathway, students can complete an intermediate qualification after 1–2 years, and a college degree after an additional 1–2 years if they meet academic requirements set by the Ministry of Education and Training. They may even progress to university within about 1.5 years.

A notable feature of the program is its strong emphasis on practical training, accounting for about 70 percent of study time. Students not only learn theory but also gain hands-on experience through internships at enterprises during training. As a result, graduates can enter the workforce immediately without retraining, an advantage that makes them attractive to employers.

Phuc went on to say that that the 9+ model also helps address broader education challenges, easing pressure on public Grade 10 admissions and reducing the mismatch between training and labor market demand. 

“Parents can feel confident choosing this path, as it offers practical training, early employment opportunities, and alignment with market needs,” he said.

At Saigon Polytechnic College and other vocational institutions, students receive both academic and professional training, enabling them to earn a formal college degree while completing the high school curriculum after four years.

Thuy Nga