Vietnam National University, Hanoi
Đại học Quốc gia Hà Nội
Vietnam's oldest modern university, now a national system of nine member universities and three schools reporting to the Prime Minister.
- Students
- 82,096
- 71,845 undergraduates
- Student–faculty
- 22:1
- ratio
- Founded
- 1906
- QS World Ranking
- 751-760
- 2027 edition
About VNU
Vietnam National University, Hanoi traces its history to the University of Indochina, founded on 16 May 1906, whose building at 19 Le Thanh Tong Street is still VNU's symbol. It became Vietnam National University in November 1945 and the University of Hanoi in 1956, and in December 1993 it was reorganised as VNU by merging the University of Hanoi with other leading Hanoi institutions. It is one of Vietnam's two national universities, reports directly to the Prime Minister and has unusual autonomy over staffing, programmes, research and finance.
VNU is a system rather than a single campus. Nine member universities (Science, Social Sciences and Humanities, Languages and International Studies, Engineering and Technology, Economics and Business, Education, Vietnam Japan University, Medicine and Pharmacy, and Law) sit alongside three schools (the International School, the School of Business and Management, and the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts) and research institutes for semiconductors, quantum technology and AI. It has 82,096 regular students, 71,845 of them undergraduates.
For 2026 VNU offered 21,380 undergraduate places across 166 programmes, including 15 STEM talent programmes. Most teaching is in Vietnamese, but the International School and several member universities run programmes in English. VNU suits students who want Vietnam's broadest research university, with study sites in central Hanoi and at the expanding Hoa Lac campus.
Ab uno disce omnes
“From one, learn all” — university motto
Why students choose VNU
VNU runs its own aptitude test, the HSA (Đánh giá năng lực), and uses it alongside national exam scores and international certificates to admit students.
The 2026 intake included 15 STEM talent programmes approved by the Ministry of Education and Training.
The International School teaches degrees in English, with international applicants admitted twice a year (fall and spring) after an interview.
VNU reports that 94% of its bachelor's graduates are employed within 12 months.
Admissions
2027 intake (Vietnamese system) and 2026-27 international admission rounds
Selectivity
VNU does not publish an overall admission rate. For 2026 it offered 21,380 undergraduate places across 12 training units; Vietnamese applicants are ranked by admission scores (national high school graduation exam, VNU's HSA test, international certificates or direct admission), with cut-off scores published by programme.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma (international applicants, International School) | High school graduation or equivalent with a GPA of at least 2.5/4.0, plus a successful admission interview |
|---|---|
| Vietnamese applicants | National high school graduation exam scores or VNU HSA test scores, meeting VNU's minimum quality threshold and the programme's cut-off |
| English language | IELTS 5.5 For the International School's English-taught undergraduate programmes: IELTS 5.5 or above, or TOEFL iBT or VSTEP equivalent, for applicants from non-English-speaking countries. Programmes taught in Vietnamese at other member universities require Vietnamese proficiency. |
Deadlines
- International School, spring semester intake (international applicants) Non-binding Next deadline · In 24 daysOctober 30, 2026
Rolling review; interviews follow document screening and results come 2-3 weeks after the interview.
- International School, fall semester intake (international applicants) Non-binding In ~9 monthsJune 30, 2027
Deadline as published for the 2026-2027 admission cycle (June 30 each year); confirm the 2027 date with the school.
- Vietnamese national admission (2027 intake) Non-bindingSet by the Ministry of Education and Training's national schedule (summer 2027)
VNU publishes its 2027 admission scheme and HSA test dates separately; the 2026 intake used HSA results, national exam results and direct admission.
VNU-wide 2027 admission dates for Vietnamese applicants had not been announced on the pages checked on 30 September 2026. The International School lists fixed annual deadlines of June 30 (fall) and October 30 (spring) for international applicants.
How to apply
Vietnamese school leavers register through the national admission system with exam or HSA scores for programmes at each member university or school. International applicants apply directly to the relevant unit; the International School asks for its application form, notarised and translated diploma and transcripts, passport copy, health certificate, proof of funds for at least one year, English certificate and a notarised CV, then interviews shortlisted applicants on a rolling basis.
What admissions looks for
- For international applicants, completed secondary education with a GPA of at least 2.5/4.0.
- English proficiency of IELTS 5.5 or equivalent for English-taught programmes.
- A successful admission interview with the International School's admissions committee.
- For Vietnamese applicants, admission scores above the programme's cut-off from the national exam or VNU's HSA test.
Tips for applying to VNU
- 1 If you are applying from abroad, the International School's spring intake (deadline October 30) lets you start in early 2027 rather than waiting for the fall.
- 2 Prepare notarised and translated copies of your diploma and transcripts early; they are required with the application.
- 3 Vietnamese applicants should consider sitting VNU's own HSA test, one of the main admission routes alongside national exam scores.
- 4 Check which campus your programme uses: several units teach in central Hanoi (Cau Giay, Thanh Xuan, Hoan Kiem), while others are moving to the Hoa Lac campus west of the city, where about 11% of learners now study.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in VND
Tuition is set separately by each member university and school, and VNU's central pages do not publish a fee table. The International School offers scholarships of up to 100% of full-course tuition for directly admitted students, and 50-100% for priority applicants, plus short-term, long-term and enterprise scholarships. VNU also runs merit scholarship schemes and exchange scholarships with partner universities.
- Up to 100% of full-course tuition
- International School scholarships for directly admitted students
- About VND 35,000
- Canteen meal (VNU global student handbook)
- From VND 100,000
- Hanoi bus or metro monthly pass
Academics
STEM talent programmes
15 talent programmes approved by the Ministry of Education and Training for 2026, reflecting VNU's priority on basic sciences and engineering.
Engineering and technology at VNU-UET
The largest 2026 intake of any VNU unit: 4,020 places across 20 programmes.
Science at VNU-HUS
2,510 places across 28 programmes in 2026, at the university whose specialised high school produced Fields Medallist Ngô Bảo Châu.
English-taught business and technology at VNU-IS
1,350 places across 15 programmes in 2026, including a 20-place talent engineering programme in automation and informatics.
Languages at VNU-ULIS
2,450 places across 17 programmes in 2026, the university's main centre for foreign languages and international studies.
Research
- VNU reported 1,711 papers in Web of Science and Scopus-indexed journals and 23 granted patents in its November 2024 indicators, with 72% of Scopus papers in Q1 or Q2 journals.
- Research units include institutes for semiconductors and advanced materials, quantum technology, and applied AI for sustainable development, plus the Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology.
- VNU publishes the VNU Journal of Science and runs a Science and Technology Development Fund for its researchers.
Schools & faculties
- VNU University of Science (VNU-HUS)
- VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU-USSH)
- VNU University of Languages and International Studies (VNU-ULIS)
- VNU University of Engineering and Technology (VNU-UET)
- VNU University of Economics and Business (VNU-UEB)
- VNU University of Education
- Vietnam Japan University (VNU-VJU)
- VNU University of Medicine and Pharmacy
- VNU University of Law
- VNU International School (VNU-IS)
- VNU School of Business and Management
- VNU School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts (VNU-SIS)
94% of VNU bachelor's graduates were employed within 12 months (VNU summary indicators, updated November 2024).
Student life
Student life at VNU is split between the busy Xuan Thuy campus in Cau Giay, older buildings in central Hanoi, and the new Hoa Lac campus to the west, where VNU reports 4,900 dormitory places and about 11% of learners now study. The VNU Center for Student Services runs dormitories, including My Dinh II, and organises cultural and community activities, while the Youth Union and Student Association run volunteer and exchange events. VNU's handbook for international students puts a canteen meal at about VND 35,000.
- Hoa Lac campus has 4,900 dormitory places (VNU indicators, November 2024).
- The My Dinh II dormitory in Nam Tu Liem is one of VNU's seven sites.
- A dedicated global student handbook covers banking, transport and daily life for international students.
- VNU offers semester exchanges with partners such as Kansai University and Sciences Po.
Housing. VNU runs dormitories through its Center for Student Services, including 4,900 places at Hoa Lac and the My Dinh II dormitory in Hanoi.
Location
Hanoi is Vietnam's capital, a dense city of lakes, old streets and motorbikes, with cheap street food and a metro alongside the bus network. VNU's main teaching sites are in Cau Giay and Thanh Xuan in the west of the city and on Le Thanh Tong Street in Hoan Kiem, while the Hoa Lac campus lies further west in Thach That district. Buses cost VND 7,000-12,000 a ride and metro tickets VND 8,000-15,000.
Nearest airport: Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)
Notable alumni
- VN Võ Nguyên GiápGeneral and defence minister who led Vietnamese forces at Dien Bien Phu; law degree from the Indochinese University (1933-1938)
- NP Nguyễn Phú TrọngGeneral Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (2011-2024); bachelor's in philology (1963-1967)
- LM Lê Minh HưngPrime Minister of Vietnam (since 2026) and former State Bank governor; BA in French language and culture
- NB Ngô Bảo ChâuFields Medal-winning mathematician; attended the specialised mathematics high school of the Hanoi University of Science (non-degree)
- TL Trần LậpSinger and co-founder of the rock band Bức Tường; economics graduate (2001) and literature graduate (2004)
- BB Bùi Bích PhươngFirst Miss Vietnam (1988); studied English at the University of Hanoi
Frequently asked questions
Is Vietnam National University, Hanoi a good university?
It is one of Vietnam's two national universities and is ranked in the 751-760 band in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 1201-1500 by THE for 2026. VNU reports that 94% of its graduates find work within 12 months.
Can international students study in English at VNU?
Yes. The International School (VNU-IS) teaches undergraduate programmes in English and asks for IELTS 5.5 or equivalent, a GPA of at least 2.5/4.0 and an interview.
What is the VNU application deadline for international students?
The International School's deadlines are June 30 for the fall semester and October 30 for the spring semester, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis.
What is the HSA test?
The HSA (Đánh giá năng lực) is VNU's own aptitude test. VNU uses HSA results, alongside national high school graduation exam scores and other methods, to admit Vietnamese students.
How many students does VNU have?
VNU has 82,096 regular students: 71,845 undergraduates, 8,382 master's students and 1,869 doctoral candidates, according to its 2026 admissions announcement.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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