Circular No. 09/2026/TT-BGDĐT stipulates the organization of language proficiency tests for foreign languages and Vietnamese.

CIRCULAR

REGULATIONS ON ORGANIZING FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTS AND ORGANIZING VIETNAMESE LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTS

BASED ON THE EDUCATION LAW NO. 43/2019/QH14, AMENDED BY THE EDUCATION LAW NO. 123/2025/QH15;

BASED ON THE HIGHER EDUCATION EDUCATION LAW NO. 125/2025/QH15;

BASED ON CIRCULAR NO. 37/2025/NĐ-CP DATED FEBRUARY 26, 2025 OF THE GOVERNMENT REGULATING THE FUNCTION, MISSION, POWERS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING;

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE QUALITY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL;

THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING ISSUES THIS CIRCULAR REGULATING THE ORGANIZATION OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTS AND THE ORGANIZATION OF VIETNAMESE LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTS.

Article 1. Scope of Application and Applicable Subjects

1. This Circular stipulates the standards for the testing organization unit for foreign language proficiency tests according to the Framework for Foreign Language Competence for Vietnam, and the organization of Vietnamese language proficiency tests according to the Framework for Vietnamese Language Competence for Foreign Nationals; the responsibilities of the testing organization unit, the linked testing organization unit, and relevant state management agency.

2. This Circular applies to:

a) Higher education institutions and other educational institutions engaged in higher education activities that train undergraduate programs in foreign languages; literature, language pedagogy, Vietnamese language and culture, linguistics, Vietnamology;

b) Organizations and individuals related to the organization of foreign language proficiency tests and the organization of Vietnamese language proficiency tests.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this document, certain terms are understood as follows:

1. Testing organization unit for foreign language proficiency refers to units that organize testing and issue foreign language certificates according to the Framework for Foreign Language Competence for Vietnam.

2. Testing organization unit for Vietnamese language proficiency refers to units that organize testing and issue Vietnamese language certificates according to the Framework for Vietnamese Language Competence for Foreign Nationals.

3. Linked testing organization unit are higher education institutions or other educational institutions engaged in higher education activities within Vietnam or abroad that have agreed or entered into a cooperation agreement with the testing organization units for foreign language proficiency and/or the testing organization units for Vietnamese language proficiency.

Article 3. Foreign Language Certificates and Vietnamese Language Certificates

1. Testing organizations issue certificates to test takers who meet the requirements corresponding to the Framework for Foreign Language Competence for Vietnam, which are national education system certificates.

2. Testing organizations issue certificates to test takers who meet the requirements corresponding to the Framework for Vietnamese Language Competence for Foreign Nationals, which are national education system certificates.

3. The validity period of foreign language and Vietnamese language certificates issued by state agencies or units using such certificates is determined according to the specific purpose and requirement of each particular job.

Article 4. Standards for Testing Organization Units

1. Testing organization units for foreign language and Vietnamese language proficiency must meet standards to ensure objectivity, fairness, transparency, security, safety, and quality of the examination.

2. The standards for testing organization units are specified in Appendix I attached to this Circular.

3. Standards stipulated in paragraph 2 of this Article serve as a basis for self-assessment by the testing organization unit on its organizational capacity and for relevant authorities to conduct supervision, inspection, and follow-up according to legal provisions. Depending on the extent of violation by the testing organization unit, the Ministry of Education and Training will consider suspending or temporarily halting the examination activities until all standards, criteria, and related requirements are met as per this regulation.

Article 5. Responsibilities of the Organizing Unit for Examinations

1. Develop an examination organization plan according to the template in Appendix II of this Circular, publicly disclose the plan on the unit's official website at least 60 days before the examination date. Before posting on the unit's official website, send the plan to the Ministry of Education and Training (through the Department of Quality Management) for management purposes and to publish a list of units that meet the requirements of this Circular to organize examinations.

2. Bear full responsibility for the examination organization work and related matters before, during, and after each examination period; implement inspection and supervision of the examination organization process.

3. Maintain records of the examination organization process, issuance of language certificates or Vietnamese language certificates. The organizing unit shall maintain:

a) Permanently the list of examinees, detailed score sheets, and the list of examinees who have received certificates;

b) Examination data, data from surveillance cameras in examination rooms, marking rooms, server areas, supervision records, marking records, CD or DVD discs containing test papers, and any minutes of proceedings (if applicable), in accordance with current retention periods for documents and materials as stipulated by the Ministry of Education and Training in the field of education and training.

4. Provide relevant documentation related to examination organization, test papers, certificate issuance; evidence of safe and serious examination organization upon request from competent state authorities.

5. Receive and handle issues related to certificate issuance and distribution; complaints and suggestions related to examination organization work.

6. Implement reporting systems by June 15th and December 15th each year to the Ministry of Education and Training (through the Department of Quality Management), including aggregated data on examination results evaluating language proficiency or Vietnamese language proficiency examinations as per the template in Appendix III of this Circular.

7. Regularly inspect, supervise, and maintain standards, criteria, and regulations for examination organization according to the provisions of this Circular. Bear legal responsibility for the examination organization work including the obligation to explain before state management agencies and society regarding the examination organization work and the quality of the examination.

Article 6. Responsibilities of Linked Organizing Units

1. The linked organizing unit must ensure physical infrastructure, equipment, and personnel requirements requested by the organizing unit for supervision duties as stipulated in Article 4 of this Circular to support language proficiency examinations. In the case of a foreign-linked organizing unit, it must have legal personality under the laws of its country of origin and be recognized by the competent authority of that country. Provide relevant evidence promptly upon request from Vietnamese state authorities.

2. Fulfill obligations and rights in accordance with agreements or cooperation contracts during the linked examination organization process to ensure security, safety, and quality. Bear responsibility for explaining before state management agencies and society regarding the quality and effectiveness of the linked examination organization.

3. The linked organizing unit shall not issue certificates.

Article 7. Responsibilities of the Regulatory Authority

1. The Ministry of Education and Training shall direct and implement inspections of the activities of units organizing language proficiency tests for foreign speakers and units organizing language proficiency tests for Vietnamese, in accordance with current regulations.

2. Units under the Ministry of Education and Training are tasked to provide professional guidance on procedures and standards compliance for test-organizing units; to publicize a list of units meeting the criteria on the Ministry's official website.

Article 8. Transitional Provisions

1. Units currently implementing language proficiency tests for Vietnamese according to the Framework for Vietnamese Language Proficiency for Foreigners as per Circular No. 27/2021/TT-BGDĐT dated October 7, 2021, by the Minister of Education and Training, may continue to conduct tests and issue certificates until December 31, 2027.

2. Units currently implementing language proficiency tests for foreign languages according to the Framework for Foreign Language Proficiency Levels 6 for Vietnamese as per Circular No. 23/2017/TT-BGDĐT dated September 29, 2017, and amended by Circular No. 24/2021/TT-BGDĐT dated September 8, 2021, by the Minister of Education and Training, may continue to conduct tests and issue certificates until December 31, 2026.

Article 9. Implementation Provisions

1. This Circular shall take effect from April 15, 2026.

2. This Circular replaces: Circular No. 27/2021/TT-BGDĐT dated October 7, 2021, by the Minister of Education and Training, which issued regulations for language proficiency tests according to the Framework for Vietnamese Language Proficiency for Foreigners; Circular No. 23/2017/TT-BGDĐT dated September 29, 2017, by the Minister of Education and Training, which issued regulations for language proficiency tests according to the Framework for Foreign Language Proficiency Levels 6 for Vietnamese; and Circular No. 24/2021/TT-BGDĐT dated September 8, 2021, which amended certain provisions of the regulations for language proficiency tests according to the Framework for Foreign Language Proficiency Levels 6 for Vietnamese issued with Circular No. 23/2017/TT-BGDĐT dated September 29, 2017, by the Minister of Education and Training.

3. The Deputy Director General, Director of the Department of Quality Management, heads of relevant units under the Ministry of Education and Training; directors of education and training departments; rectors of universities and academies; deans of higher education institutions; and heads of relevant units and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.