Many universities in Vietnam only accept international foreign language certificates during their enrollment process and refuse to recognize the Vietnamese Standardized Test of English Proficiency (VSTEP).

VSTEP refers to the English proficiency test based on the six-level foreign language competency framework for Vietnam, corresponding to levels A1 to C2 of the European reference framework.

The six-level foreign language certificate from Vietnam is accepted in most fields, including civil servant exams, promotions, and some university and postgraduate admissions. 

Still, most large universities currently only accept international foreign language certificates, such as IELTS or TOEFL.

Hanoi Medical University, for example, only accepts IELTS and TOEFL certificates.

Similarly, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City and the University of Transport and Communications merely accepts the IELTS certificate. 

At the Foreign Trade University, both IELTS and TOEFL certificates are accepted.

The University of Information Technology under the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City also only accepts IELTS and TOEFL certificates when calculating priority points for admissions.

The National Economics University accepts the TOEIC, IELTS, and TOEFL certificates.

Universities that accept IELTS, TOEFL, or TOEIC certificates have specific minimum score requirements. Some universities even have minimum score requirements for each skill on the exam.

As a case in point, the National Economics University requires a minimum score of 785 in listening and reading, 160 in speaking, and 150 in writing for the TOEIC certificate.

On the other hand, many large universities accept the VSTEP certificate for university admissions.

For instance, the Hanoi University of Science and Technology accepts several foreign language certificates, including VSTEP, in addition to common certificates like IELTS, TOEFL, and TOEIC.

In the south, the Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City accepts five English language certificates, including VSTEP. Saigon University allows the conversion of results from IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, Linguaskill, Aptis, and VSTEP exams into English exam points in the admission process.

The Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade also permits candidates to convert foreign language certificates, consisting of VSTEP, into foreign language points in admission.

Like us on Facebook or  follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!