What began with an unusual cluster of 147 perfect Math scores at a high school in Tuyen Quang has evolved into one of Vietnam's biggest exam integrity investigations, with 19 people now facing criminal charges.
The case first attracted nationwide attention in early July after the release of the 2026 national exam results, when analysts identified striking irregularities at the Tuyen Quang High School for the Gifted testing center.
An unusual pattern raises questions
Official results showed that Tuyen Quang Province recorded 154 perfect Math scores among more than 17,000 candidates who sat the examination.
However, 147 of those perfect scores - more than 95% of the province's total - were concentrated within a narrow range of candidate identification numbers, from 080163xx to 080166xx, covering just 328 examinees.
VietNamNet's analysis of the province's score distribution highlighted the unusually high concentration of top marks within that single testing group.
Soon after reports of the anomaly emerged, Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) launched a review, concluding that the Mathematics results required further investigation.
On July 2, a ministry inspection team worked with provincial authorities and relevant agencies to examine the examination process in accordance with national regulations.
The following day, Tuyen Quang Provincial Police announced that they had begun verifying reports of irregularities in the 2026 graduation examination.
According to investigators, 299 of the 328 students at the testing center had scored between 9 and 10 points in Mathematics, with an average score of 9.58, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the examination.
Authorities launch criminal investigation
Tuyen Quang High School for the Gifted. Photo: Vu Mung.
On July 4, the Tuyen Quang People's Committee submitted an initial report to the Prime Minister, the National Steering Committee for the graduation examination and provincial leaders.
The provincial chairman instructed the Department of Education and Training and police to conduct a comprehensive, impartial investigation, emphasizing that there would be "no prohibited areas and no exceptions," with any violations handled in accordance with the law.
Police officers reviewed examination records, interviewed candidates and invigilators, examined relationships between supervisors and students, and secured relevant locations to preserve evidence.
On the evening of July 5, investigators placed Nguyen Ha Duy (born 1998), a teacher at Tuyen Quang High School for the Gifted, under emergency detention over suspected violations linked to the examination.
Later that evening, the Ministry of Education and Training confirmed that its inspection team had identified significant irregularities in the Mathematics examination at the school.
The ministry said preliminary analysis indicated that the examination results were abnormal and required further investigation, particularly regarding the administration and supervision of the Mathematics exam.
The inspection team shared its findings with the Ministry of Public Security and Tuyen Quang Provincial Police to continue investigating the responsibilities of candidates, invigilators, examination officials and other individuals involved.
Charges expand to 19 suspects
Authorities serve legal documents to Nguyen Ha Duy. Photo: Tuyen Quang Provincial Police.
On July 8, provincial police formally charged and detained Nguyen Ha Duy on allegations of abusing official position and authority while performing public duties, under Article 356 of Vietnam's Penal Code.
During a press conference on July 9, police announced that four people had initially been charged.
In addition to Nguyen Ha Duy, authorities charged Tran Thi Thu Hang, vice principal of Nguyen Van Huyen High School, who served as head of the examination site at Tuyen Quang High School for the Gifted.
Police also charged two additional individuals whose identities have not yet been disclosed.
The investigation expanded significantly on July 13, when Tuyen Quang Provincial Police announced that 15 more suspects had been charged under the same offense of abusing official position and authority while performing public duties.
The latest development brings the total number of suspects charged in the case to 19.
Parents support a Mathematics retest
At a separate briefing on the 2026 graduation examination, Hoang Minh Canh, deputy director of Tuyen Quang's Department of Education and Training, said the department had met with all Grade 12 students, parents and independent candidates who took the examination at the affected testing center.
According to the department, all 322 parents and all six independent candidates supported holding a retest of the Mathematics examination to ensure fairness, transparency and protection of students' legitimate rights and interests.
Based on that consensus, provincial education authorities have asked the provincial government to request that the Ministry of Education and Training organize a new Mathematics examination for candidates who sat the test at Tuyen Quang High School for the Gifted.
The ministry has instructed provincial authorities to continue conducting a comprehensive investigation, determine the full nature of any violations, and impose strict disciplinary and legal measures against anyone found responsible.
MoET said any final decision on whether to hold a retest would be based on the investigation's findings, applicable examination regulations and an overall assessment of the case.
The ministry emphasized that any solution must ensure fairness, transparency and compliance with the law, while also protecting the legitimate interests of candidates with genuine academic ability.
Vietnamnet.vn
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