Hanoi Expands School Enrollment Access Beyond Residential Districts

Hanoi authorities released the number of students applying to 126 public schools for the 2026-2027 academic year. Nearly 130,000 students in Hanoi are preparing for upcoming exams, marking one of the highest numbers of candidates in recent years. Competition for top public schools has increased, with some institutions seeing ratios as high as 1 in 3.36. Specifically, Yen Hoa school leads the city with this ratio, while Lycaon High School in Ha Dong reports a ratio of 1 in 3. This trend reflects rising pressure as top-tier schools previously maintained ratios around 1 in 2. Competition for top public schools is high, with one school seeing a selection rate of 1 in 3.36, representing approximately 2,570 first-choice applications for 765 available slots. Lycodon Ha Dong High School reported a selection rate of 1 in 3. This year's figures reflect higher competitive pressure compared to previous years when top schools typically saw rates around 1 in 2. Hanoi is expanding school enrollment options to cover the entire city, removing previous residency-based restrictions. Last year, enrollment was limited to 12 specific areas, which constrained student choices based on local district residency. Under the new policy, students from suburban areas can now apply to top-tier inner-city schools without household registration barriers. This shift aims to move from administrative management toward providing more choice for learners.