Primary school students in Hanoi. Instead of comparing tuition or teaching styles, her main concern was which school produced more successful applicants to top-tier public middle schools - and eventually, to specialized high schools. In her experience, families who wait until grade 5 to begin preparing for selective middle school exams often find it too late. “If you're aiming for a high-quality public middle school, the academic foundation needs to be laid much earlier. “When young children are burdened with the pressure of a middle school exam years away, it can trigger early burnout or anxiety.

Source: VietNamNet News January 20, 2026 08:30 UTC