Private high schools in Hanoi have released their enrollment plans and fee structures for the 2025-2026 school year. At many schools, students who pass the entrance exam must pay a deposit to secure their spot.
Parents must pay the non-refundable fee upon enrollment to secure a spot. If the student enrols, the amount is applied toward other school expenses for the academic year.
Nguyen Ha from Cau Giay District paid a VND15 million (USD587.54) reservation fee for a place for her son at Olympia School. "This backup option helps reduce the psychological pressure in case he doesn't pass the entrance exam to a public school in the area, so we decided to go for it," she said.
Huong Trang from Nam Tu Liem District has considered Luong The Vinh Secondary and High School, as an alternative for her child. However, with a reservation fee of VND15 million, she is now looking for a more affordable option.
Many parents in Hanoi must pay the non-refundable fee upon enrollment to secure a spot (Photo by Hoang Thanh)
Archimedes High School requires a reservation fee of VND23 million, while Wellspring Bilingual School charges VND25 million. The cost at Newton Secondary and High School is VND12 million.
A representative from a private secondary school in Hanoi acknowledged that placing a deposit at private schools as a backup is understandable, given parental concerns about the Grade 10 entrance exam. However, he advised parents to avoid unnecessary stress and refrain from paying deposits at multiple schools, which can be costly. Instead, they should focus on schools suitable for their child's abilities and future orientations.
Tran The Cuong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, acknowledged that some private high schools in the city collect reservation fees. According to these schools, the policy is intended to ensure stability in the enrollment process and prevent disruptions caused by parents withdrawing their child's application.
Reservation fees are a mutual agreement between parents and schools, but the educational environment should prioritise humanitarian values. Therefore, schools should reconsider this practice and adopt more appropriate policies.
Hanoi has approximately 127,000 secondary school graduates this academic year, around 6,000 fewer than last year. The total quota for public 10th-grade admissions is 79,000 students, bringing the acceptance rate to over 62 percent, slightly higher than the 60-61 percent recorded in previous years.
