The number of candidates taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in the academic year of 2011-12 has doubled in Vietnam over the last five years, and increased by 14 percent from last year, said the British Council Vietnam on April 19.

According to the council, the number has nearly reached 30,000.

They also noted that the quality of the candidates improved, with a 50 percent rise in the number of those achieving scores of 8 or above.

Compared to other countries in the region, including China and Japan , Vietnamese students have been achieving higher average scores.-VNA