Several parents brought their children to the examination site at Nguyen Trai High School in Hanoi's Ba Dinh District on Wednesday, the first day of the two-day exam. There was a light rain, so people were wearing rain coats.
Over a million 12th graders across the country took the exam on Literature for 120 minutes in the morning and Math for 90 minutes in the afternoon. In Hanoi, 102,000 students are taking the exam.
A parent hugs her child in front of Nguyen Trai High School just before the exam begins.
The annual high school graduation exam is the largest in Vietnam and considered by many as the most important. Its results play a role in setting one's career path, as it will decide if a student can get into their desired university, or any university.
In front of an examination site at the Quoc Hoc - Hue High School For The Gifted in Hue, several parents wait for their children to complete their exams.
"I stand here so I can look at my grandchild clearly," said 72-year-old Huynh Xuan Phat.
Nguyen Chien, 52, stands waiting in front of the school gate, using a helmet to shield his face from the sun.
Pham Hoa, 60, clasped her hands together in front of Le Quy Don High School in HCMC's District 3 to pray for her grandchild during the examination.
She said she has been raising her grandchild since they were small due to family circumstances.
"All my love I have spent on my grandchild. I hope my grandchild does the exam well as preparation into the future," she said.
Nguyen Thanh Huy Cuong hugs his mother after completing the exam at Ernst Thailman High School in HCMC's District 1.
Pham Thi Thu Hong congratulates her daughter Tran Pham Huyen Linh after she walked out of the gates of Nguyen Du High School in HCMC's District 1.
"The exam was not really what I expected, but I'm still confident in what I did," Linh said.
Le Truong Khang congratulated his daughter after she finished the exam at Ernst Thailman High School.
"She said she did well, so everyone in my family is happy," he said.
Dac Tien was joyful as he walked with his son Dac Tai outside the examination site at Ngo Quyen High School in Dong Nai Province that borders HCMC.
Tai said he did well and feels comfortable about the rest of the examination.
Au Quoc Khang, 71, in Can Tho's Ninh Kieu District, carried his granddaughter An Duong Uyen Nhi over 10 km to the examination site in Chau Van Liem High School.
"I sat on the motorbike and waited outside the school gates. When she got out, I would bring her home for a meal and took her back to the examination site for the afternoon test, just for peace of mind. I heard she did well on Literature, so I'm very happy," said Quang.
The examination will take place Wednesday and Thursday. Students will take tests in Literature, Math, Foreign Language and either a group of natural sciences subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) or social sciences (Geography, History and Citizens' Education).
Results are expected to be announced on July 18.
