Vietnam National University - Hanoi  Background Information

Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) is the first modern university established in Vietnam. VNU has undergone various development stages: the University of Indochina established on 16 May, 1906; Vietnam National University (November, 1945); the University of Hanoi (June, 1956). In December, 1993, VNU was reorganized on the basis of amalgamating the University of Hanoi, Foreign Language Teachers’ Traning College (established in 1967) and other leading universities in Hanoi.

VNU is the largest multidisciplinary higher educational and research centre in Vietnam. VNU is entrusted with the task of producing qualified human resources for the industrialization and modernization of the country. VNU holds a special position in the system of tertiary education in Vietnam, operating according to a special regulation promulgated by the Prime Minister. VNU reports directly to the Prime Minister and has the high autonomy in organization -personnel, training programs, scientific research and technological development, planning - finance, international relations and other fields. VNU is entitled to work directly with ministries, ministerial level organizations, governmental bodies, people’s committees of central cities and provinces concerning affairs related to VNU. VNU’s colleges and institutes maintain their juridical person status of a higher education and scientific research institution as regulated by the Law on Education and the Law on Science-Technology.

At present, VNU offers over 60 undergraduate training programs according to two modes: full-time and part-time. Besides undergraduate programmes, including Honors Programmes, VNU offers 108 Master programmes and 81 Ph.D programmes. In addition, VNU has a system of schools for gifted pupils in various fields, with an aim to create qualified input resources not only for VNU but also for other universities in Vietnam. VNU also offers its undergraduate, graduate programmes and joint-training programmes in other cities and provinces throughout the country. The language of instruction at VNU is Vietnamese. In joint training programmes with foreign counterparts, foreign languages are allowed to be included in the instruction. The duration of full-time undergraduate, Master and Ph.D programmes is 4 years, 2 years and from 2-4 years respectively.

Over the last years, VNU has steadily developed with special attention to high quality of training and research, with special emphasis on key sciences and technologies, moving in the direction of a research university and international integration. The road ahead is still full of difficulties and challenges. However, VNU’s teaching staff and students will spare no efforts in realizing its very important mission, entrusted by the Government of Vietnam “Strive to be a comprehensive training and research institution of excellence on a par with leading universities in the region an in the world”.