Students of the early childhood education faculty at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Education during the freshman welcome ceremony on September 7, 2025. Photo: My Dung / Tuoi Tre
Dr. Bui Hong Quan, dean of the early childhood education faculty, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that about 4,000 candidates took aptitude tests this year to compete for places in the program, compared with 1,000 last year.
"This is a very positive sign for early childhood education," Quan said.
He attributed the sharp rise to several factors, including a nationwide shortage of preschool teachers.
According to the faculty's data, the employment rate for graduates in the field is as high as 98 percent, with some students receiving job offers as early as their second or third year.
Recent changes in Vietnam's Education Law have also raised the professional status and benefits of preschool teachers, making the career more attractive.
Salaries for newly graduated teachers now range from VND11 million (US$416) to VND13 million ($492) per month at public schools in Ho Chi Minh City, and from VND7 million ($265) to VND15 million ($568) at private institutions, depending on the teacher's skills and placement, Quan said.
The surge in applicants has pushed up admission standards.
The faculty's cutoff score increased by nearly two points this year, from 24.24 to 26.05 out of 30. The top entrant scored 28.79, meaning they achieved near-perfect marks across subjects.
"This year is also special because the applicants are the first cohort to graduate under the 2018 general education curriculum," Quan said.
Dr. Bui Hong Quan, dean of the early childhood education faculty at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Education. Photo: My Dung / Tuoi Tre
In response to rising demand, the faculty is placing greater emphasis on training quality.
Students will have opportunities to learn from international peers and experts, while also strengthening soft skills.
"Our guiding principle is that happy preschool teachers can change the world," Quan said.
"We aim to build future educators who are solid in expertise, skilled in practice, and rich in compassion."
Only one male student is among the 250 freshmen admitted this year to the early childhood education faculty.
The student, 18-year-old Le Trung Nghia from former Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City told Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper that his choice was shaped by childhood memories.
With his parents working long hours, he spent much of his early years in kindergarten, where teachers cared for him with warmth and dedication.
"My family told me how the teachers treated me like their own child," Nghia said.
"That left me with deep gratitude, and I decided I had to pursue preschool education."
Nghia passed the entrance exam with a score of 26.5, choosing storytelling and singing for his aptitude tests.
Supporting him throughout the process was his former kindergarten teacher, who has since retired but returned to coach her one-time pupil.
Now, as the only male student in his cohort, Nghia hopes to follow in her footsteps and one day become a preschool teacher himself.
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