Vietnam approves plan to elevate Ho Chi Minh City universities to Asian elite

Prime Minister of Vietnam signed Decision No. 966/QD‑TTg on 29 May 2026 approving a development scheme for major universities in Ho Chi Minh City and the broader Southeast region. The plan targets three to four institutions—University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), University of Medicine and Pharmacy Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam‑German University and Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City—aiming to raise them to the leading tier of Asian universities.

Implemented over 2026‑2035, the program provides state budget funding and outlines targets such as UEH joining the top‑150 Asian business‑management schools, the medical university meeting top‑150 health‑science standards, and the Vietnam‑German University adopting a German‑style research model. Objectives include expanding enrolment of high‑quality students, strengthening faculty, boosting international research output, modernising campus infrastructure, and fostering greater international cooperation. By 2030 the universities are expected to be key hubs for talent development and innovation, contributing to the economic growth and global integration of Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeast region, with longer‑term aims to rank among the top 100 Asian universities by 2050.