Vietnamese authorities have charged a high school teacher while Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau has ordered a comprehensive investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding an unusually high number of perfect mathematics scores in the 2026 national high school graduation examination in Tuyen Quang Province.

The Investigation Police Agency of Tuyen Quang Provincial Police has charged Nguyen Ha Duy, a 29-year-old teacher at Tuyen Quang High School for the Gifted, with abuse of position or authority while performing official duties under Article 356 of Vietnam's Penal Code.

The charge marks the latest development in an investigation into suspected violations during the administration of the 2026 national high school graduation examination in the northern province.

According to official examination results, Tuyen Quang recorded 154 perfect scores in the mathematics exam among more than 17,000 candidates. Of those, 146 perfect scores - more than 95% of the province's total -were concentrated within a narrow sequence of candidate identification numbers, from 080163xx to 080166xx, representing a group of 328 candidates.

Following reports highlighting the unusual results, provincial authorities ordered an urgent review of the entire examination process, including exam administration, marking procedures and the publication of results. Police have since launched a criminal investigation and said they are continuing to determine the roles of other individuals who may have been involved.

In a separate development, the Government Office released a statement summarizing the conclusions of Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau following a meeting on the organization of the 2026 national high school graduation examination in Tuyen Quang.

The deputy prime minister acknowledged the prompt response by the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Public Security and the Tuyen Quang provincial government in addressing the case involving the unusually high mathematics scores at the examination center of Tuyen Quang High School for the Gifted.

He described the case as serious, saying it has had a significant impact on Vietnam's education sector and public confidence, particularly at a time when the government is prioritizing education as a national strategic priority.

At the same time, citing a report from the Ministry of Education and Training, Le Tien Chau emphasized that the incident is considered an isolated case and does not reflect the integrity of the nationwide examination or the efforts of education authorities and candidates across the country.

To ensure fairness, transparency and public confidence in the 2026 graduation examination results, the deputy prime minister instructed the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Education and Training, relevant agencies and the Tuyen Quang provincial government to urgently resolve the case.

He ordered authorities to establish the full facts through an objective investigation and to strictly handle any organizations or individuals found to have violated the law, while clearly determining the specific responsibilities and level of accountability of each party involved.

The deputy prime minister also instructed relevant agencies to develop measures to address the consequences in accordance with examination regulations and the law, while ensuring that students with genuine academic ability do not lose educational opportunities. At the same time, he stressed that the integrity, fairness and credibility of the national examination system must be upheld.

The Tuyen Quang provincial government was instructed to take responsibility for security failures affecting the examination, conduct a comprehensive review of the entire examination process, clarify institutional and individual responsibilities, and implement appropriate remedial measures to protect the legitimate rights of candidates.

Provincial authorities were also directed to conduct a comprehensive and impartial assessment of the examination process at Tuyen Quang High School for the Gifted, meet with all affected students and parents, and submit recommendations to the Ministry of Education and Training on measures to protect candidates' interests.

In addition, the province was instructed to proactively hold press briefings, provide timely and accurate information to the public, acknowledge any shortcomings in leadership or management if identified, and safeguard the identities, psychological well-being and legal rights of students.

The deputy prime minister assigned the Ministry of Public Security to lead the investigation, in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Training and the Tuyen Quang provincial government, to determine the nature of the violations, identify those responsible and ensure strict legal action where appropriate.

He also called for the investigation's findings to be announced as soon as possible so that authorities can implement appropriate corrective measures while ensuring fairness in university and college admissions and allowing eligible students sufficient time to complete their 2026 admission applications.

The Ministry of Education and Training was instructed to work with relevant agencies to develop solutions that protect the lawful rights of candidates and, where regulations permit, apply the option most favorable to students. Based on recommendations from Tuyen Quang authorities, the ministry will decide on final remedial measures within its authority.

Beyond the Tuyen Quang case, the deputy prime minister ordered a nationwide review of the 2026 high school graduation examination results. Any additional irregularities identified must be promptly investigated and handled in accordance with the law.

He also instructed the Ministry of Education and Training to review examination regulations and strengthen security measures at every stage of future examinations, including consideration of handheld scanners, surveillance cameras in examination rooms and tighter personnel management, in order to prevent similar violations from recurring.

Duc Phong - Tran Thuong