Three universities in Ho Chi Minh City receive investment to join top Asian ranks

The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and Vietnamese-German University are selected for focused investment, aiming to develop into leading advanced universities in Asia.

This information was shared by Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau on 28/4.

Son stated that the selection and investment in Vietnamese-German University, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, and Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy followed a rigorous and objective review and evaluation process. The criteria included: being leading public universities with high autonomy; possessing international prestige; and offering training fields linked to the strategic human resource needs of the region, such as semiconductor microchips, international finance, smart medicine, and core technologies.

The development plan for major universities in the Southeast region aligns with the higher education master plan and ongoing programs and projects.

Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son reports at the meeting on 28/4. Photo: VGP/Thu Sa

Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son reports at the meeting on 28/4. Photo: VGP/Thu Sa

Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau generally agreed with the plan's content, asking the Ministry of Education and Training to submit the complete plan by 10/5. Additionally, he requested urgent completion of other programs and plans related to the goals outlined in Resolution 71 by 2030, which include: at least 8 universities among the top 200 universities in Asia, and at least one university ranking among the top 100 worldwide in specific fields.

The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, established in 1976, has approximately 36,000 students. It is one of 13 universities in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese-German University was founded in 2008 through a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Science and Art of the German state of Hessen. The total investment for the university is USD 200 million, featuring a campus spanning over 50 hectares, making it one of the largest in the country. Currently, the university enrolls about 3,500 students.

Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, established in 1947, currently has approximately 20,000 students. In addition to educating domestic students, the university also welcomes students from Laos and Cambodia and organizes short-term practical courses for students from the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, Germany, Sweden, and other countries.

Among the three institutions, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City aims to be in the top 250 leading universities in Asia by 2030, while Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy seeks to be among the top 100 health training institutions. The Vietnamese-German University has not yet specified its ranking objectives.

According to the 2026 Asia university rankings, published by Times Higher Education a week ago, Vietnam has 11 representatives, ranked from 184 to 801+. The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City leads the Vietnamese institutions.