IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a vital international English proficiency certification, widely recognized for study, work, and immigration purposes across many countries. In Vietnam, the two authorized test centers are IDP Education and the British Council. To help candidates understand the necessary costs, this ECE article provides a detailed breakdown of IELTS test fees, additional service charges, and the most accurate payment procedures for 2026.

Official IELTS Test Fees (2026 Update)

A key point for candidates to note is that the 8% VAT rate currently in effect will remain applicable until December 31, 2026, per government regulations. The fees for primary IELTS tests at IDP and the British Council are currently standardized as follows:

IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training: 4,664,000 VND. This fee applies to both paper-based and computer-delivered tests.
IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI): 5,252,000 VND (For UK visa and immigration purposes).
IELTS Life Skills (Level A1 or B1): 4,414,000 VND (For settlement or visa extension purposes in the UK).
Note: Tax policies are subject to change based on the latest government guidance at the time of your registration.

IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) Fees

IELTS One Skill Retake allows candidates to retake a single skill (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking) if they haven’t achieved their desired score, rather than retaking the entire test. This is an optimal solution for both time and cost efficiency:

IELTS One Skill Retake Fee (Academic/General): 2,940,000 VND.
IELTS for UKVI One Skill Retake Fee: 3,320,000 VND.
Conditions: Candidates may only register for one retake per official test and must complete it within 60 days of the original test date.

Comparison Table of Additional Service Fees

Beyond the primary test fees, candidates may require additional services. Below is a detailed comparison of these costs between IDP and the British Council:

Fee Category	IDP Vietnam	British Council (BC) Vietnam	Notes
Enquiry on Results (EOR)	2,268,000 VND (Applies to all test types)	2,160,000 VND (Standard IELTS, Life Skills) 2,268,000 VND (IELTS for UKVI, One Skill Retake)	100% refund if your score increases after the review.
Additional Test Report Form (TRF)	200,000 VND / hard copy	Contact BC directly to confirm	Applies one month after the results date.
Domestic TRF Postage	Confirm directly with IDP	150,000 VND / TRF	Standard postal delivery fee.
International Courier (DHL)	1,400,000 VND	1,280,000 VND	Sending TRF abroad (up to 0.5kg).
Test Date Transfer	1,100,000 VND	Per specific regulations	Must be requested at least 15 days before the test date.
Speaking Test Reschedule	900,000 VND	Not applicable	Exclusively for IDP candidates.

Payment Methods

Both IDP and the British Council offer various flexible payment methods for candidate convenience:

At IDP

Pay online upon registration:

International cards: VISA / Mastercard / JCB.
Internet Banking / QR Code: Via domestic ATM cards or banking apps / e-wallets (supporting most major Vietnamese banks like Vietcombank, Techcombank, ACB, BIDV, Vietinbank, Sacombank, Agribank, MB Bank, VP Bank, etc.).

Offline payment:

Cash or card swipe: Available at IDP offices nationwide.

Bank transfer: Account details vary by test center:

Hanoi Test Center (VN104):
Account Name: Công Ty TNHH Giáo Dục IDP Việt Nam
Account Number: 001-069954-002
Bank: HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd. – HCMC Branch
Swift code: HSBCVNVX

HCMC Test Center (VN101):

Account Name: Công Ty TNHH Giáo Dục IDP Việt Nam
Account Number: 001-069954-001
Bank: HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd. – HCMC Branch
Swift code: HSBCVNVX

Da Nang Test Center (VN501):

Account Name: Công ty TNHH Giáo Dục IDP (Việt Nam)
Account Number: 12337888
Bank: Asia Commercial Bank (ACB) – Saigon Branch

Transfer Content (General): Candidate Full Name_Test Date_Phone Number_ID/Passport Number used for registration (e.g., Nguyen Van A_29Jun25_0912345678_C1234567) or follow specific syntax: VN501_Candidate Name_Test Date_AC or GT_email for the Da Nang center.

At British Council (BC)

Pay online upon registration (within 60 minutes of selection):

Via PayDollar: VISA/Mastercard credit cards.
Via ATM portal: Domestic ATM cards (select your respective bank).
Via VietQR: Scan QR code using banking apps or e-wallets (Zalo Pay, ShopeePay, MoMo, Moca, etc.).

Offline payment:

Bank transfer:

Account Name: BRITISH COUNCIL VIETNAM LLC
Account Number (VND): 0201912008
Bank: Citibank, N.A – Hanoi Branch
Bank Address: Horison Building, 40 Cat Linh, Dong Da, Hanoi
Bank code: 01605001
SWIFT Code: CITIVNVX
MANDATORY Transfer Content: Include the Reference Number (e.g., A3-VN002-S-XXXXXXX – found in email/portal) and Phone Number (e.g., 84-09XXXXXXXX).
Note: You must upload proof of successful transaction to the registration portal or email Exams.Payments@britishcouncil.org

Card swipe at BC offices:

Hanoi: 3rd Floor, Lancaster Luminaire Building, 1152 Lang Road, Dong Da District.
HCMC: 1st Floor, Viettel Building, 285 Cach Mang Thang Tam, Ward 12, District 10.
Working hours:

Monday – Friday (08:30–19:00); Saturday (08:30–12:00 and 13:30–16:30).

Refund, Cancellation, and Rescheduling Policies

This is where candidates are most at risk of losing fees if they are not familiar with the regulations.

1. Test Date Transfer

At IDP: Free if requested 15 days in advance. 1,100,000 VND fee if requested 4-14 days prior. Transfers are not permitted within 3 days of the test date.
At BC: Candidates may only transfer their test date once, and the new date must be within 3 months of the original.

2. Cancellation and Refunds

Cancellation 15+ days prior: Candidates receive a 75% refund of the test fee.
Refund processing time: Usually within 6 weeks from the date of submitting a valid application with the original VAT invoice.
Special cases: If cancelling due to serious illness (surgery, accident, etc.), candidates must provide medical records with an official stamp from a public hospital to be considered for a refund or transfer.

Important Considerations

Payment Deadline (BC): Candidates have 24 hours to complete payment after registering online with BC. After 72 hours, unpaid registrations are automatically cancelled.
Registration Confirmation: Registration is only considered successful once payment is completed and a confirmation email is received from IDP or BC.
Bank Transaction Fees: Candidates are responsible for any additional transaction fees (if applicable) during bank transfers.
Accurate Transfers: Ensure the exact fee amount is transferred and the correct payment content is provided as required by each unit (IDP syntax: Name_Test Date…, BC syntax: Reference Number…) to avoid delays. Overpayments under 100,000 VND may not be refunded (BC policy).
Check for Updates: Always visit the official websites of IDP (https://ielts.idp.com/vietnam) and the British Council (https://www.britishcouncil.vn/thi/ielts) for the latest information on fees, regulations, office addresses, and bank accounts before registering or paying.
Service Regulations: Each additional service (EOR, transfer, additional TRF) has its own conditions and deadlines. Please read these regulations carefully.

Tips for Optimizing IELTS Costs

IELTS fees are significant, so you can use these tips to save money:

Register early for offers: Both IDP and BC frequently offer study vouchers, free mock tests, or cash-back promotions of up to 500,000 VND for early registrants.
Utilize free resources: After paying, IDP provides access to the IELTS Master online preparation software; BC offers free preparation courses and “Road to IELTS” materials.
Avoid retakes: Instead of retaking the entire test, consider the One Skill Retake service if you only missed the score in one skill, saving over 1,700,000 VND.

Understanding IELTS fees and related services helps candidates prepare more proactively. While primary test fees are the same, additional service charges, procedures, and payment details may differ between IDP and the British Council. Candidates should base their decision on personal needs, compare support services, and check the latest information to choose the most suitable test provider.

Wishing you effective preparation and the IELTS results you expect!