By Aziza Francienne · B2C Marketing Manager
The Vietnamese national curriculum is set by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET). It's known for strong mathematics and sciences and a competitive university-entry culture. Since the 2018 reform (the "General Education Programme 2018"), the curriculum has moved toward competency-based teaching. A small number of international schools blend it with English-medium delivery.
The learning pathway
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Ages 6–11
Primary (Tiểu học)
Five years of primary. Vietnamese, mathematics, natural and social sciences, morality, English (from Grade 3), arts and PE.
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Ages 11–15
Lower Secondary (THCS)
Four years of lower secondary (Grades 6–9). Ends with a graduation assessment for entry to upper-secondary schools.
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Ages 15–18
Upper Secondary (THPT) & THPT Exam
Three years of upper secondary (Grades 10–12). Culminates in the National High School Graduation Examination (THPT), used both for the school-leaving certificate and university admissions.
The 2018 reform
Vietnam's General Education Programme 2018 shifted teaching from knowledge-transmission toward competency-based learning: choosing electives from upper-secondary, project work and applied learning. Rollout has been staged across primary and secondary through the 2020s.
Is Vietnamese right for your child?
It tends to suit families who…
- •Have Vietnamese connections or are moving to Vietnam
- •Want strong mathematics and science foundations
- •Are considering Vietnamese universities
It may be less ideal if…
- •You need a globally-portable single qualification
- •Your child has no Vietnamese and is joining above primary
- •The high-pressure exam culture is a concern
Common questions
FAQs about the Vietnamese curriculum
Is the THPT accepted at UK/US universities?
Sometimes, with strong English-language scores and often a foundation year. Many families supplement with A-Level, IB or SAT for stronger overseas admissions.
Can international students attend Vietnamese national schools?
It varies by locality. Most expatriate families choose international schools that either offer the Vietnamese curriculum bilingually or use IB / British / American systems entirely.
Find schools