This surge in demand has energized services for photography, makeup, and costume rentals, but it has also given rise to various risks when students book through the internet.

On weekends, the courtyard of Phan Đình Giót High School becomes a lively stage as seniors use their break time to capture school memories. From classrooms and corridors to the main yard, every corner is repurposed as a backdrop for these final keepsages. Classes are planning ahead to ensure that the photoshoots do not interfere with their intense study schedules. Nguyễn Tuấn Nam, a senior at the school, explains that his class agreed to shoot early to keep their focus on the upcoming exams, detailing a plan that covers everything from locations to specific assignments for the day to ensure a polished result.

Students are no longer satisfied with just traditional shots; they are now investing in distinct “concepts” for their portfolios. Whether it is a classic classroom setting with blackboards and chalk or a more “mature” look featuring vests and ao dai, the planning is meticulous. Trần Minh Ngọc from Điện Biên Phủ High School mentions that besides uniforms, her class prepares extra outfits to diversify their images, aiming to preserve the full spectrum of emotions from their time under the school roof.

At schools like Lê Quý Đôn Gifted High School, these events are organized with detailed scripts and even formal invitations sent to parents well in advance. This level of preparation reflects the growing importance graduating students place on the “graduation” ritual. Consequently, the local service market has entered a peak season since early March, with many studios fully booked one to two months in advance. Huỳnh Thế Cường, a local photographer, notes that schedules are particularly dense on weekends. He adds that beyond the main class crews, there is a rising trend of hiring private photographers for individual moments, leading to a persistent “fully booked” status for many professional studios.

While many parents support their children in preserving these milestones, they often advise a balanced approach that avoids excessive spending, reminding them that the core value lies in the memories of student life rather than expensive props. However, the vibrancy of the market has a darker side. Scammers are taking advantage of students by advertising attractive packages on social media and demanding a deposit, often one-third of the total cost, to secure a date.

Nguyễn Đức Minh from Phan Đình Giót High School shared his experience of losing a VND 500,000 deposit for a VND 1.5 million package after the “photographer” went silent on the day of the shoot. Similarly, Mai Thu Hà and Nguyễn Huyền Trang from Lê Quý Đôn Gifted High School saw their plans ruined and their deposits stolen after their online contact disappeared. Huỳnh Thế Cường points out that these incidents usually stem from loosely bound transactions based solely on chat messages without formal contracts or identity verification.

With the 2026 graduation exam scheduled earlier for June 11 and 12, starting the yearbook process in March is a logical move to reduce pressure. Nguyễn Thúy Hạnh, a homeroom teacher at Lê Quý Đôn, views early shooting as a positive trend if organized scientifically, though she constantly reminds students to maintain their mental stability for the exams. Ultimately, prioritizing transparent providers and avoiding unverified accounts is the best way to ensure that these yearbook moments remain a cherished and regret-free experience.