Nearly 116,300 students will pass out of 9th grade this year, morethan 5,000 higher than last year.
But 65 public high schools will reduce their enrolment quota, withTran Phu, Vinh Loc B and Ho Thi Bi seeing steep cuts.
It means more than 45,000 students will have to go to private highschools, vocational education centres or centres for continuing education.
The three will offer a total of 50,000 seats.
There was a shortage of public schools, the department said.
The entrance exam for public high schools is scheduled to takeplace on June 6 and 7./.