Vietnam will channel major resources into four universities in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang to push them into Asia's top 150 by 2030, positioning them as flagships of the country's higher education and innovation drive.
The institutions: Vietnam National University Hanoi, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, and the University of Danang were named in a Sept. 30 directive by the Central Steering Committee on Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation for the development plan.
The plan sets ambitious goals: each university must attract at least US$50 million annually for research, launch 50 innovative startups every year and develop 10 successful enterprises worth at least $200 million between 2026 and 2030.
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At present, Vietnamese universities lag behind Asia's leaders. According to the QS rankings, VNU Hanoi and VNU Ho Chi Minh City sit at 161st and 184th in Asia, Hanoi University of Science and Technology ranks 388th, while the University of Danang is in the 421–430 range. None have yet broken into the world's top 100 in any field.
The roadmap demands sweeping changes: At least 60% of science, engineering and technology programs must be taught in English, with a push for dual-degree partnerships with top 200 global universities. Half of all courses must include practical training, project-based learning or research, with internships made compulsory. By 2030, 30% of all students must be postgraduates, 40% of them pursuing PhDs.
To attract more top researchers, the schools must waive tuition for all PhD candidates starting in 2026–2027 and provide scholarships through teaching and research assistantships. Doctoral students will also be required to spend at least 10 months abroad at elite universities or research institutes. Faculty, meanwhile, should have opportunities every 5–7 years to work for a year at world-class laboratories or R&D centers in leading companies.
Financially, universities must ensure that research, technology transfer and innovation contribute at least 35% of their revenue, a target some experts warn is difficult. Currently, even among the 13 universities with annual revenues over VND1 trillion ($38 million), only the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City reaches a notable level, with 27.6% from science and technology. Most others remain under 11%.
By November, the four schools must submit action plans for climbing the rankings and propose large-scale science and technology infrastructure projects, especially in strategic industries.
The government has tasked multiple ministries, state-owned enterprises and the cities of Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh with supporting the effort, in hopes of building a "three-house model" linking universities, businesses and government, and boosting Vietnam's startup and innovation ecosystem.
