A similar trend emerged at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, where cutoff scores for several STEM programs approached the 30-point ceiling.

The advanced program in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence led with 29.54 points, while Computer Science and the advanced Cybersecurity program also required more than 29 points.

At the University of Science under Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, the advanced Computer Science program topped the university with 29.32 points, while Artificial Intelligence required 28.68.

Experts say one factor driving the surge in cutoff scores for AI and STEM majors is the growing role of artificial intelligence and digital transformation as engines of economic growth around the world.

Government scholarship policies targeting basic sciences, key engineering disciplines and strategic technologies have also increased their appeal. The trend further reflects growing labor-market demand for highly skilled workers in these fields.

Teacher training remains highly competitive

Alongside technology, teacher-training programs remained among the hottest choices in this year’s admissions season.

At Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, a string of teacher-training programs required more than 29 points.

Chemistry Teacher Education topped the list at 29.83 points, equivalent to an average of nearly 9.95 points per subject. Literature Teacher Education and History Teacher Education both required 29.80 points, followed by Physics Teacher Education at 29.78 and Mathematics Teacher Education at 29.49.

Cutoff scores were also high at Hanoi National University of Education. Mathematics Teacher Education taught in English required 29 points, Chemistry Teacher Education 28.99 and Mathematics Teacher Education 28.95.

At Saigon University, Mathematics Teacher Education had a cutoff score of 28.89.

Explaining why teacher-training programs remain so competitive, Pham Thai Son, Director of Admissions at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, said students in these programs receive State support for tuition and living expenses, while training policies are linked to workforce demand.

Admissions quotas are also tightly controlled, with many programs at individual universities accepting only a limited number of students.

The admission of a significant number of students through direct-entry pathways further reduces the places available to applicants competing on national high school graduation exam scores, pushing cutoffs higher.

Military schools approach perfect scores

Vietnam’s military academies continued to feature prominently among institutions with the highest admission cutoffs in 2026.

The highest cutoff was 29.76 points, applying to female applicants to the Military Medical University and to the English Language program at the Military Science Academy.

At the Military Medical University, the cutoff for female applicants from northern Vietnam was also 29.60 points.

At the Military Technical Academy, the military-track program for female applicants from southern Vietnam required 29.03 points.

The exceptionally high cutoffs show that competition for places at military institutions remains intense, particularly for the limited quotas available to female applicants.

Economics remains competitive but no longer dominates

Cutoff scores at many economics-focused universities also remained high this year, although the field no longer dominated the rankings as it did in some previous admissions seasons.

At Foreign Trade University, the advanced International Economics program required 29.7 points, while International Business and Business Data Analytics both had cutoffs of 29.5.

At the National Economics University, Auditing required 28.84 points, E-commerce 28.62 and Logistics and Supply Chain Management 28.53.

Overall, the economics-related programs with the highest cutoff scores tend to be those closely connected with data, e-commerce and logistics.

The pattern partly reflects a shift among applicants toward disciplines that combine economics and business knowledge with technology and emerging workforce needs.

Thuy Nga