- TOPIK recognized as a foreign language exam for admissions, enabling Korean proficiency to support university entry
- Policy strengthens Korean language education and skills, motivating students to learn Korean for academic growth
- Move links education with job market demand, meeting the rising need for Korean-speaking talent
Vietnam will begin recognizing the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) in its university admissions process starting this year, marking a major step in strengthening language-based skills and global education pathways. The decision allows TOPIK scores to count toward the foreign language requirement in university entry, reflecting the growing academic and job-related value of the Korean language.
Vietnam becomes the second overseas region after Hong Kong to adopt TOPIK for university admissions. The approval comes under a ministerial decision issued on January 12 by Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training, according to Korea’s Ministry of Education and the National Institute for International Education.
Vietnam’s university admissions are based on a nationwide high school graduation exam. Students must take tests in mathematics and Vietnamese, along with two elective subjects. Under the new rule, TOPIK can replace the foreign language exam. Students who score Level 3 or higher, which indicates intermediate Korean proficiency, will receive an exemption for one elective subject, with their TOPIK score converted into official exam results.
The policy will apply to students entering universities from September this year, as Vietnam’s graduation exam takes place in late June. Korean was introduced as an optional foreign language in Vietnam in 2020 and became an official exam subject in 2021.
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Vietnam also ranks among the largest global test centers for TOPIK. Last year, nearly 86,000 Vietnamese students took the exam, the highest number outside Korea. Strong interest in learning Korean is closely tied to employment opportunities, as Korean language skills often provide hiring advantages and higher pay.
With Korean companies expanding operations in Vietnam, demand for Korean-speaking professionals continues to rise. The move highlights how education, language skills, and jobs are becoming increasingly connected across Asia.
