What NEET Score Do You Need for MBBS in Vietnam 2026?
Vietnam’s medical universities do not set a minimum NEET score for admission. To practice medicine in India after your Vietnam MBBS, NMC only requires that you have cleared the qualifying percentile — approximately 137 marks (50th percentile) for General/EWS category. Your actual rank does not matter. A score of 140 qualifies you just as much as a score of 600.
What NMC Actually Requires — The Real Rules
Every year, students and parents spend weeks anxiously calculating whether their NEET score is “good enough” for MBBS in Vietnam. And every year, they are either incorrectly told they don’t need NEET at all — or incorrectly told they need a high score. Both versions are misleading. Here is what the National Medical Commission actually states.
Under the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations 2021, any Indian student who wants to eventually practice medicine in India must have:
- Qualified NEET with the minimum qualifying percentile — not a high rank, just the cutoff percentile
- A valid NEET scorecard at the time of admission to the foreign university (valid for 3 years from the exam date)
- The NEET qualification is required before joining the foreign university — not after graduation
The NMC’s position is unambiguous: No minimum score is prescribed beyond the qualifying percentile. The commission has explicitly stated that NEET qualification — not a specific score — is the eligibility condition for obtaining the certificate required to appear for the NEXT licensing exam after graduation.
What this means practically: a student who scored 140 on NEET and a student who scored 600 on NEET are both equally eligible for Vietnam MBBS — as far as NMC is concerned. The difference will show up only in scholarships and in some university-specific requirements, which we will cover below.
NEET Score vs NEET Qualifying: The Difference That Changes Everything
This distinction is the most misunderstood aspect of overseas MBBS eligibility. Let us be absolutely clear about what each term means.
| Term | What It Means | Matters For |
|---|---|---|
| NEET Qualifying | Clearing the minimum percentile threshold set by NMC — 50th percentile (≈ 137 marks) for General/EWS; 40th percentile (≈ 107 marks) for OBC/SC/ST | NMC eligibility, NEXT exam eligibility, practicing in India |
| NEET Score / Rank | Your actual marks out of 720 and your All India Rank — relevant for Indian government medical college seats | Indian government medical college admissions only. Not required for Vietnam. |
Source: NMC FMGL Regulations 2021 and NTA NEET UG guidelines
NMC does not care if you scored 140 or 600. It only checks: Did you cross the qualifying percentile? If yes — you are eligible. For Vietnam MBBS, your actual rank and score carry no weight in the admission process. What carries weight is your 12th board percentage, your English proficiency, and your age.
This is the reason thousands of students with perfectly good NEET qualifying scores — scores between 140 and 350 — choose Vietnam. They crossed the NMC threshold. They cannot get a government medical college seat in India with that score. But they can get admission, complete their degree, clear NEXT, and return to practice medicine in India. That is a complete, NMC-approved, legitimate pathway.
University-Wise NEET & Eligibility: All 4 Universities Explained
Aieraa Overseas Studies currently works with four NMC-approved universities in Vietnam. Each has its own eligibility criteria. Here is a complete breakdown so you know exactly where you stand.
| University | Location | NEET Required for Admission? | Min 12th Marks (PCB) | Additional Criteria | NEET for India Practice? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCTU Phan Chau Trinh University |
Da Nang | Not Required for Admission | 60% in PCB + English | English medium schooling. Min age 17. | Yes — NMC qualifying percentile |
| Can Tho University of Medicine & Pharmacy |
Can Tho | Not Required for Admission | 80% in PCB + Maths | English medium. Min age 17. | Yes — NMC qualifying percentile |
| Dai Nam University | Hanoi | Required (for scholarship) | Indian recognised board | English medium. Min age 17. NEET for scholarship eligibility. | Yes — NMC qualifying percentile |
| BMTU Buon Ma Thuot Medical University |
Buon Ma Thuot | Qualifying score required | 65% in PCB | English medium. Min age 17. NEET qualification mandatory for admission. | Yes — NMC qualifying percentile |
Data accurate as of May 2026. Verify specific requirements with Aieraa before applying.
Important clarification: “Not required for admission” means the university accepts students based on 12th marks without asking for a NEET scorecard at the application stage. However, this does not mean NEET is irrelevant. Students must still have cleared NEET with the qualifying percentile if they intend to practice in India — this is an NMC rule, not a university rule.
PCTU — Da Nang (Rank #1 Private University in Vietnam)
PCTU is one of Vietnam’s most prestigious medical institutions — a hospital-university model with 9 owned hospitals, Vietnam’s first simulated hospital, and ECFMG approval. For admission, PCTU assesses your 12th board marks and English ability. No NEET scorecard is required at the point of application. This makes PCTU particularly accessible to students who qualified NEET but did not achieve high scores.
What makes PCTU worth noting for NEXT preparation: the university has integrated USMLE-style content into its curriculum. Students consistently report that this depth of preparation significantly helps with NEXT readiness — which matters far more than your NEET score ever did.
Can Tho — Government University (45+ Years, Vietnam’s 3rd Ranked)
Can Tho is a government-funded institution — Vietnam’s equivalent of a government medical college. It has seven government teaching hospitals and a 100-acre campus. For Indian students, Can Tho requires a stronger 12th performance (80% in PCB and Maths) — but again, no specific NEET score is mandated for admission. Over 25 Indian students have already received scholarships from Can Tho based on academic performance during their studies — meaning a good NEET score is not the only route to reduced fees here.
Dai Nam — Hanoi (Fastest Growing, In-Campus Hostel)
Dai Nam is uniquely positioned for students who want the capital city experience, with the added security of an in-campus 15-floor international hostel. Dai Nam awards scholarships to top students based on NEET score and 12th marks — so a higher NEET score genuinely helps here financially. For admission itself, the process is straightforward and based on your 12th records.
BMTU — Buon Ma Thuot (500-Bed Hospital, Up to 100% Scholarship)
BMTU requires NEET qualification for admission — meaning you must have cleared the qualifying percentile threshold. There is no minimum score beyond that. BMTU offers the most significant scholarship structure of the four: up to 100% tuition waiver based on academic performance, awarded each year to deserving students. If you have cleared NEET and are financially mindful, BMTU deserves serious consideration at the counselling stage.
What To Do If You Have a Low NEET Score
“Low NEET score” means different things to different people. Let us define it clearly for the purposes of Vietnam MBBS.
| Score Range | NMC Status | Vietnam Admission Status | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 137–250 | NMC Qualified | Fully Eligible | Apply to PCTU, Can Tho, or Dai Nam. Strong 12th marks matter most here. |
| 251–400 | NMC Qualified | Fully Eligible | Apply to all four universities. Check scholarship eligibility at Dai Nam and BMTU. |
| 401–600 | NMC Qualified | Fully Eligible + Scholarship Potential | Eligible for all universities and merit scholarship consideration at Dai Nam and BMTU. |
| Below 137 (General/EWS) | Not NMC Qualified | Admission possible, India practice not possible | Seriously reconsider. Either re-attempt NEET, or get honest guidance on your specific situation. |
These are general ranges. Category-specific qualifying marks differ. Verify your specific category cutoff with NTA’s official scorecard.
The most practical reality for a student with a score between 137 and 350 is this: you have cleared the only threshold that NMC cares about, and Vietnam’s admission process evaluates you on what remains — your 12th board performance, your English ability, and your commitment to the program.
What this means for your future: A student who scored 145 on NEET and a student who scored 545 on NEET will sit the same NEXT exam after graduating from Vietnam. They will be evaluated identically by NMC. The degree they hold will be equivalent. Their ability to practice medicine in India will be identical. The only thing that differentiates their six years in Vietnam is how hard they study once they get there.
“In 12 years of counselling families, the most common regret I hear is not ‘I wish I had a higher NEET score.’ It is ‘I wish someone had told me earlier that my score was enough, and I could have started my medical education two years sooner.’ NEET determines your entry point in India. Vietnam’s universities and NMC together determine your endpoint — and both are achievable with the qualifying percentile.”
If You Have Not Yet Cleared NEET — Be Completely Honest With Yourself
This section requires straightforwardness. If you have not cleared the qualifying percentile, you face a genuine fork in the road — and no consultant should make that choice easy or comfortable, because it is not easy.
Option 1: Re-attempt NEET. This is the cleanest path. NEET is held once a year. Clearing the qualifying percentile — not a high score, just the cutoff — is achievable with focused preparation for most students. If you are 17 or 18, one more year of preparation is genuinely worth considering.
Option 2: Seek expert counselling before making any decision. There are some specific situations — age, family circumstances, prior attempts — where an honest, personalised conversation changes the picture. At Aieraa, we have that conversation. We do not encourage decisions that could leave a student with a degree they cannot use in India.
Our commitment: Aieraa Overseas Studies will not admit a student to Vietnam without NEET qualification if that student intends to practice in India. That is our ethical line. If you are in this situation, call us — not for a sales pitch, but for an honest assessment of your options.
Can a Good NEET Score Get You a Scholarship?
Yes — and this is one of the underappreciated angles of Vietnam MBBS for students who cleared NEET with a decent score but not enough for an Indian government seat.
| University | Scholarship Type | NEET Score Role | Maximum Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCTU | Top 10 per batch — Biology marks + English essay | Biology component of NEET is relevant | Partial tuition waiver |
| Can Tho | Merit-based during studies — academic performance | Not directly, but NEET prep builds the discipline | Partial tuition waiver; 25+ Indian students have received it |
| Dai Nam | Top 10 annually — NEET score + 12th marks | Directly considered for scholarship selection | Significant fee reduction per year |
| BMTU | Academic performance-based — annual review | Initial scholarship also considers NEET score | Up to 100% tuition waiver |
Scholarships are competitive and based on overall profile. Speak to Aieraa for a personalised scholarship assessment.
A student who scored 400+ on NEET, while not eligible for an Indian government seat, may well qualify for a meaningful scholarship at Dai Nam or BMTU. In some cases, this scholarship can reduce the total six-year cost by 15–30%. We calculate this during the counselling session — it is one of the most useful conversations a family can have before making a decision.
The 3-Year NEET Validity Rule Nobody Tells You
For Indian medical admissions, your NEET score is valid for exactly one year. This means the intense cycle of re-appearing each year for those who miss the cutoff.
For overseas MBBS — including Vietnam — NMC has a fundamentally different rule. Your NEET scorecard is valid for three years for foreign medical university admissions.
What this means practically: If you qualified NEET in 2024 with 160 marks — a score that did not help you in India — that scorecard remains valid for Vietnam MBBS admission through 2027. You are not locked into applying the year you appeared. Families have more time to research, visit events, speak to consultants, and make a considered decision.
This rule is particularly relevant for students who qualified NEET in 2024 or 2025 and are now exploring Vietnam for the 2026 intake. Your score does not expire. Your options remain open.
NEET is the Beginning, Not the End: The NEXT Exam Pathway
Everything discussed so far is about getting into Vietnam. But the bigger picture — the reason NEET qualification is non-negotiable — is what happens when you come back.
The National Exit Test (NEXT) is replacing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE). All MBBS graduates — whether from Indian colleges or from abroad — will appear for NEXT to obtain a medical licence in India and qualify for PG programs.
- Complete your MBBS in Vietnam (6 years: 54 months coursework + 12 months internship at the same university)
- Apply to NMC with your degree, internship certificate, and NEET scorecard
- Appear for NEXT — the unified licensing exam for all medical graduates
- Obtain your medical licence and register with your State Medical Council
- Practice in India or pursue PG (MD/MS) — the same pathways available to Indian MBBS graduates
The fact that matters: your NEET score has zero bearing on NEXT performance. NEXT tests your clinical knowledge and reasoning built during your MBBS — and Vietnam’s NMC-approved universities are structured precisely around NMC’s clinical training requirements. PCTU’s USMLE integration, Can Tho’s seven government hospitals, BMTU’s 500-bed campus hospital — these are the factors that determine NEXT performance, not whether you scored 140 or 540 on NEET four years earlier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum NEET score for MBBS in Vietnam 2026?
Can I get MBBS admission in Vietnam with 150 marks in NEET?
Is NEET compulsory for MBBS in Vietnam?
How long is my NEET score valid for MBBS abroad?
What are the 12th marks required for MBBS in Vietnam?
Does NEET score affect NEXT exam after Vietnam MBBS?
Which Vietnam university is best for low NEET scorers?
Can I get a scholarship in Vietnam with a low NEET score?
How to Apply for MBBS in Vietnam in 2026 — Step by Step
Check your NEET year and confirm it falls within the 3-year validity window for overseas admissions. If you appeared in 2024, 2025, or 2026 — you are within the window.
Check your PCB percentage against each university’s minimum. PCTU: 60%. Can Tho: 80%. BMTU: 65%. Dai Nam: English medium board recognised in India.
Contact Aieraa Overseas Studies at +91 9659637137. Divya Senthamizh personally reviews your marks, NEET score, budget, and family situation — and recommends the university that genuinely fits.
Documents needed: 10th and 12th marksheets, NEET scorecard, passport, English medium certificate, passport-size photos, medical fitness certificate. Aieraa coordinates directly with the university.
Once the university issues your admission letter, Aieraa handles Vietnam student visa documentation. Average processing time: 4–6 weeks.
Our team receives every student at the airport, sets up hostel, does city orientation, and stays in contact with your family throughout your first week — and throughout the six years.
Not Sure Where Your NEET Score Stands?
Talk to Divya Senthamizh personally. 12 years of experience. 1,000+ students placed. No pressure. Just honest clarity on whether Vietnam is right for you.