Vietnamese universities are seeing a sharp rise in graduates awarded good or excellent classifications. This surge matters because it can weaken the value of degrees for students and employers.

The proportion of Vietnamese graduates receiving good and excellent classifications is rising sharply, prompting concerns about grade inflation. In response, Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training issued a directive urging universities to identify and address grade inflation and to avoid setting quotas for high grades.

At the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Dr. Nguyen Trung Nhan said the school monitors grade distributions each semester. When the share of good and excellent classifications spikes, the university reviews assessment methods and strengthens evaluation requirements to keep standards high.

Experts suggest alternative ways to show real ability. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan recommends applying a normal‑distribution grading system, while independent education expert Bui Khanh Nguyen proposes percentile rankings. Pham Thai Son also calls for a “graduate competency passport” that records students’ skills and tangible work.

Employers stress that learning outcomes must match industry needs. Pham Thai Son says universities should systematically survey recruitment requirements and involve businesses in real‑world projects, so graduates demonstrate competence beyond inflated transcripts.

The overall goal is to ensure academic qualifications are backed by demonstrable capabilities rather than inflated grades. When grades reflect genuine skills, degrees remain credible for students, employers, and the higher‑education system.