On the morning of April 5, 2026, candidates at Cluster 16 – Test Site 35 – Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering (HCM-UTE, formerly Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education) completed Phase 1 of the 2026 Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City Academic Competency Test (V-ACT) organized by Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM). The exam took place in a serious and well-disciplined atmosphere, with all procedures conducted safely and strictly in accordance with regulations.
This year, HCM-UTE recorded the participation of more than 3,199 candidates, arranged across 97 examination rooms. The year 2026 also marks the fourth consecutive year that HCM-UTE has collaborated with VNU-HCM to organize the V-ACT, and the fifth year the University has used the test results for admissions into its academic programs. Building on extensive experience from previous exam seasons, HCM-UTE thoroughly prepared infrastructure, examination facilities, and human resources, ensuring a professional and completely safe testing environment.
Invigilators checked candidates’ information before they entered the examination rooms at HCM-UTE
The Phase 1 V-ACT of VNU-HCM in 2026 was held at 55 institutions across 15 provinces and cities (after administrative mergers), spanning from the Central region to the Mekong Delta. In Ho Chi Minh City alone, there were 22 test sites-the highest number among all localities hosting this phase. This year, the V-ACT continued to consist of 120 multiple-choice questions, with a duration of 150 minutes and conducted in a paper-based format. The test structure was adjusted to align with the 2018 General Education Curriculum. After several years of implementation, the VNU-HCM V-ACT has become a reliable admission method, contributing to improving enrollment quality not only at VNU-HCM but also at many universities and colleges nationwide, including HCM-UTE.
To provide maximum support and reduce psychological pressure for candidates and their parents, HCM-UTE mobilized a large number of student volunteers stationed at key areas from early morning. Volunteers actively assisted with directions to exam rooms, internal traffic coordination, and administrative procedures throughout the exam period. Thanks to this support, candidates at HCM-UTE felt reassured, calm, and confident to perform their best.
HCM-UTE student volunteers supporting candidates during Phase 1 of the 2026 V-ACT
Successfully co-organizing the V-ACT not only demonstrates the University’s strong commitment to community service but also reaffirms its outstanding organizational and operational capacity in ensuring optimal conditions for large-scale examinations and events. According to the 2026 admissions plan, HCM-UTE will continue to use the results of both phases of the VNU-HCM V-ACT as part of its combined admission methods.
Regarding the University’s renaming:
On December 26, 2025, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 2809/QĐ-TTg, officially renaming Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education to Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering (HCM-UTE), reflecting its multi-disciplinary development orientation, strengths in technology and engineering, and its current stature.
Before 2007, the University was a leading institution in technical teacher education. Since 2007, in response to changes in the national academic program classification system, it has expanded strongly into technology, engineering, and related fields. The renaming aligns with the Higher Education Network Development Plan for 2021–2030 with a vision to 2050, meeting workforce demands in the digital transformation era, and affirming its role as a key national university in technology and engineering.