English Language Proficiency Standards in Vietnamese Universities

The requirement for English language skills is essential in preparing students for global job opportunities. The Ministry of Education and Training mandates that most universities in Vietnam expect students to achieve a minimum B1 level, in accordance with the Vietnam National Qualification Framework established in 2016. How are institutions adapting to this standard?

Dr. Thai Doan Thanh, Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City University of Food Industry, indicated that although students might fulfill academic criteria for graduation, they are still required to achieve proficiency in English and IT skills before receiving their diplomas. The IT standards are largely met, but only around 50% of students fulfill the English requirement on time, with the rest experiencing delays.

He clarified, “This does not imply a delayed graduation; students have completed their studies but are waiting for diplomas until they satisfy the English language proficiency.” The issuance of diplomas occurs once students meet this criterion.

Dr. Thanh shared that while some students complete the language requirement within a few months, others take 1-2 years. He expressed concern over the apparent disregard for this requirement, even with continuous reminders from the universities.

“Students often procrastinate and only focus on the language requirement in their final semester, when they are also busy with internships and thesis projects,” he remarked.

He encouraged new students to proactively plan for completing their English requirements, suggesting they aim to accomplish this by their second year when their language skills are still fresh from their studies.

Representatives from the University of Commerce reported that roughly 30% of recent graduates experienced delays due to unmet English requirements, with many of these students hailing from rural or economically challenged backgrounds, making it tougher for them to achieve language benchmarks.

A university representative stated, “Many students struggle with English, and the university curriculum is even more rigorous. Coupled with time and financial constraints—such as needing to pay for extra language classes—students also often juggle part-time jobs to manage tuition, complicating matters further.”

As a result, many students prioritize completing other course requirements first and then shift their focus to the language requirement, which leads to delays in diploma issuance.

Associate Professor Bui Hoai Thang, Head of Training at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, highlighted that proficiency in foreign languages is integral to the national qualification layout. Students enrolled in the standard curriculum need to achieve a TOEIC score of 600, while those in English-instructed programs need to aim for an IELTS score of 6.0.

This university has adopted a policy requiring students to fulfill their English requirement to be eligible for their final graduation project, ensuring a smoother diploma processing for those who complete their projects.

Dr. Nguyen Trung Nhan from Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry similarly mentioned that, although there are no specific statistics available, around 5-10% of students each year face delays due to language requirements, particularly within technical disciplines.

Moreover, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, Head of Training at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, reaffirmed the significance of English proficiency even in technical studies. The university’s language standards are aimed at preparing students for success in a global job market.

He noted that the students experiencing diploma delays due to English proficiency typically come from programs taught in Vietnamese, while those from English-taught programs seldom encounter this issue.

In compliance with the Vietnam National Qualification Framework, universities stipulate that graduates must achieve level 3/6 in English proficiency (equivalent to B1 level under the Common European Framework of Reference or an IELTS score of 5.0). Language majors have a higher bar, requiring level 5/6 (equivalent to C1 level or an IELTS score of 6.5).