There is a Vietnamese Language Proficiency Test in Vietnam called NLTV, abbreviation of “Năng lực Tiếng Việt.” “Tiếng” means language. “Việt” means Vietnam. “Năng lực” means ability. “Năng lực Tiếng Việt” can be literally translated to “Vietnamese language ability,” which means the ability to understand and use Vietnamese; in other words, Vietnamese Language Proficiency.
This is by far the most popular Vietnamese Language Proficiency Test in Vietnam.
If you pass the test, you will receive a Proficiency certificate from Đại Học Xã Hội và Nhân Văn – DHQG TP HCM (the University of Social Sciences and Humanities – National University Ho Chi Minh City), a member of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City system.
Anything from a university in Vietnam National University system is usually widely recognized in Vietnam.
Vietnam National Universities are public universities. You have to take entrance exams on different subjects to get in, and, depending on which school, they can be very difficult. It is easier to get in private university than these public national universities in Vietnam. The hardest and most important exam you will ever need to do in Vietnam from elementary school to college is the public university entrance exam to these national universities. And yes, we take exams for everything as students, exams to get in good middle schools, exams to get in high schools, exams to graduate from high school and exams to get into colleges. Welcome to Asia!
But anyway, I digress.
For more information regarding this test, you can visit the website of Đại Học Xã Hội và Nhân Văn – ĐHQG TP HCM.
I will include some common questions and important information here.
Table of Contents
- What is NLTV used for?
- How long is NLTV valid for?
- How many levels does NLTV test have?
- Where can I take NLTV test?
- Other Vietnamese Language Proficiency Tests
What is NLTV used for?
It is often used to demonstrate your Vietnamese Language Proficiency Level to schools, Vietnamese programs, or employers that require Vietnamese Language Proficiency.
How long is NLTV valid for?
It is valid for 2 years.
How many levels does NLTV test have?
NLTV has a total of 6 levels. NLTV has 3 main levels (Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced) and each main level has 2 sub levels.
| Elementary Level | A1 | Level 1 |
| A2 | Level 2 | |
| Intermediate Level | B1 | Level 3 |
| B2 | Level 4 | |
| Advanced Level | C1 | Level 5 |
| C2 | Level 6 |
Where can I take NLTV test?
You can take the test in Vietnam, South Korea and Taiwan.
For more information regarding how to register for the test and testing location, visit Đại Học Xã Hội và Nhân Văn – ĐHQG TP HCM.
Other Vietnamese Language Proficiency Tests
NLTV is probably the most official Vietnamese Language Proficiency Test so far as it is a test provided by a national university in Vietnam, and it grants proficiency certificate. The test is also available in South Korea and Taiwan.
However, many schools and organizations in other countries have held their own Vietnamese Language Proficiency Tests.
For example, Japan has held their own Vietnamese Language Proficiency Test. There is ViLT (Practical Vietnamese Language Test) created by Southeast Asia Language Exchange Association (JTAG).
Most Vietnamese Language Proficiency Tests held by universities in the U.S. are private tests, more like placement tests, to see which class or which level of Vietnamese class the students are qualified to take based on their knowledge of Vietnamese language. Some students may be able to skip classes or language requirement if they pass the test. However, these tests are not meant to grant proficiency certificates.
If you know any other Vietnamese Language Proficiency Tests, please let me know.