Many students and teachers receive tens of millions of dong from IELTS despite low scores

Three of the five winners of the IELTS Prize 2025 special prize, from left to right: Student Phu Thanh Ngoc, teacher Tran Le Ngoc An and student Nguyen Ngoc Ha My PHOTO: NVCC

The British Council - the co-owner of IELTS alongside IDP and Cambridge Assessment English - has just announced 15 winners of the IELTS Prize 2025, including 5 special prizes (VND 50 million/prize) and 10 inspirational prizes (VND 10 million/prize). These are the first winners after the British Council first reformed the IELTS Prize after more than a decade of its launch, affirming that the value of IELTS lies not only in the score but also in the knowledge, skills and opportunities it opens up.

Specifically, candidates who want to compete for the IELTS Prize in previous years often had to achieve a minimum score, from 6.0 IELTS and most recently the standard was lowered to 5.5, but this requirement has been removed in this year's review season. In addition, the 2025 prize does not discriminate against age or profession, instead requiring candidates to start university or postgraduate studies in Vietnam or abroad in the prescribed academic year.

Additionally, this year's award waived the requirement for essays and letters of recommendation and instead allowed candidates to share their stories through video .

The special prize winners include Phu Thanh Ngoc, a student at the Banking University with IELTS 5.5; Nguyen Tan Minh Quan, a doctor and teacher in Ho Chi Minh City with IELTS 8.5; Truong Thi Linh, an English teacher in Hanoi with IELTS 6.5; Nguyen Ngoc Ha My, a recent graduate of Luong The Vinh High School for the Gifted (Dong Nai) with IELTS 8.5; Tran Le Ngoc An, an English teacher in Da Lat with IELTS 8.0.

Meanwhile, the 10 winners of the inspirational award are Pham Tuan Anh, a student at the Foreign Trade University (Hanoi); Nguyen Khanh Minh Chau, an English teacher; Nguyen Quoc Hung, a student at the Academy of Posts and Telecommunications Technology (Hanoi); Nguyen Phuoc Hai Khanh, a student at Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted (Nghe An); Le Nhat Linh, an English teacher; Nguyen Canh Luan, an English teacher; Nguyen Xuan Phu Sang, an English teacher; Dao Xuan Sang, founder of the "Learn English with Saga" community; Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, a student at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Ho Chi Minh City National University); Nguyen The Vinh, a student in Thanh Hoa.

Ms. Samantha Lea Smith, National Director of Examinations (Vietnam) of the British Council, informed that this year's IELTS Prize entries reflected "human depth, humility, and the journey of maturity" of each candidate. "IELTS is gradually becoming a platform for connecting, developing oneself and spreading positive values," Ms. Smith commented.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhieu-hoc-sinh-giao-vien-nhan-chuc-trieu-dong-tu-ielts-du-diem-khong-cao-18525080511061011.htm