Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City
Đại học Quốc gia Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
Southern Vietnam's national university system: eight member universities on a 643.7-hectare university city.
- Students
- 100,000
- Founded
- 1995
- QS World Ranking
- 801-850
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Suburban
- 643.7 ha (about 1,590 acres)
About VNU-HCM
Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) was established by the government on 27 January 1995 by merging nine Ho Chi Minh City universities, and was reorganised in 2001 around a core of member institutions. It is a university system rather than a single campus university: its members include the University of Technology, University of Science, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, International University, University of Information Technology, University of Economics and Law, An Giang University, University of Health Sciences and the Institute for Environment and Resources.
VNU-HCM reports more than 100,000 students, about 6,000 lecturers and 360 professors and associate professors, and a 643.7-hectare university city in the east of Ho Chi Minh City with dormitory capacity for 50,000 students. Its members offer 147 undergraduate programmes, of which 68 are taught entirely in English, plus 36 undergraduate joint programmes with international partners and 165 internationally accredited programmes (ABET, AUN-QA, FIBAA, CTI and others).
Vietnamese students are admitted each summer through VNU-HCM's own Competency Assessment Examination, the National High School Graduation Examination or direct admission for award winners. VNU-HCM suits students who want a large Vietnamese public university system with engineering, science, IT, economics and health programmes, and international students looking for English-taught programmes and joint degrees with overseas partners.
Why students choose VNU-HCM
68 undergraduate programmes are taught entirely in English, and 84 programmes across all levels.
165 programmes hold international accreditation from bodies such as ABET, AUN-QA, FIBAA, HCERES, CTI and ASIIN, according to VNU-HCM.
The 643.7-hectare university city has dormitory capacity for 50,000 students and nearly 340 student clubs.
Top entrants can win full-tuition scholarships for their whole programme, and high-scoring freshmen can receive 50-100% of first-year tuition.
Admissions
Undergraduate entry, autumn 2027
Selectivity
VNU-HCM does not publish a system-wide admission rate; each member university sets cut-off scores by programme.
Typical entry requirements
| Vietnamese National High School Graduation Examination | Programme-specific cut-off scores set by each member university |
|---|---|
| VNU-HCM Competency Assessment Examination | Used by member universities for admission; taken in March or early June of the entry year |
| International students | Apply to a member university; International Student Offices advise on visas, housing and admission |
Deadlines
- Competency Assessment Examination, first sitting Non-bindingMarch 2027
VNU-HCM holds the exam twice a year, in March and early June.
- Competency Assessment Examination, second sitting Non-bindingEarly June 2027
- Admission decisions Non-bindingJuly-August 2027
Undergraduate admissions follow the release of National High School Graduation Examination results.
VNU-HCM's English site gives the general pattern (Competency Assessment Examination in March and early June; admissions in July-August) rather than exact dates, and no 2027 exam schedule had been announced on vnuhcm.edu.vn by 30 September 2026; check the member university's admissions page for 2027 registration deadlines.
How to apply
Vietnamese students register for the Competency Assessment Examination and/or sit the National High School Graduation Examination, then apply to programmes at member universities, which may combine admission methods. Admission decisions are made between July and August. International students apply to the member university that offers their programme, with support from its International Student Office.
What admissions looks for
- Strong results in the Competency Assessment Examination or the National High School Graduation Examination.
- Awards in national or international academic competitions, which can lead to direct admission.
- Qualities VNU-HCM aims to develop: intelligence, adaptability, creativity and responsibility.
Tips for applying to VNU-HCM
- 1 Take the Competency Assessment Examination in March so you still have the June sitting as a second chance.
- 2 Pick the member university first: programmes, tuition and scholarships are set by each member, such as the English-taught International University.
- 3 If you rank first in your member university's entrance results, you can win a full-tuition scholarship for the whole programme.
- 4 Students from low-income households can apply for VNU-HCM Development Fund loans of up to VND 20 million a year without collateral.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in VND
Tuition and most scholarships are set by each member university. VNU-HCM highlights full-tuition scholarships for students who rank first in entrance exams, 50-100% first-year scholarships for high-scoring freshmen, sponsored scholarships (such as Vừ A Dính, Pony Chung and Odon Vallet), a VNU-HCM Development Fund loan of up to VND 20 million a year with no collateral, and Vietnam Bank for Social Policies loans of up to VND 4 million a month for low-income students. Members also offer tuition instalment plans and on-campus jobs.
- For the top-ranked entrant at each member university
- Full-tuition scholarship
- Up to VND 20 million per academic year, no collateral
- VNU-HCM Development Fund loan
- Up to VND 4 million per month
- Vietnam Bank for Social Policies loan
Academics
Academic calendar: Two main semesters of 3-4 months plus a summer semester of about 2 months
Aerospace Engineering (University of Technology)
Offered by VNU-HCM's engineering school; engineering degrees take 4.5 years.
Artificial Intelligence (University of Science / University of Information Technology)
Taught at two member universities.
Biomedical Engineering (International University)
Offered by the International University, one of VNU-HCM's eight member universities.
Medicine (University of Health Sciences)
Six-year programme within the national university system.
Business Administration
Offered at the University of Technology, University of Economics and Law, International University and An Giang University.
Research
- VNU-HCM reports 19,028 publications, 307 patents and 5,476 research projects.
- Technology transfer and community service bring in more than VND 250 billion a year, according to VNU-HCM.
- In 2025 VNU-HCM and the World Bank hosted a policy workshop on Vietnam's semiconductor workforce.
Schools & faculties
- University of Technology
- University of Science
- University of Social Sciences and Humanities
- International University
- University of Information Technology
- University of Economics and Law
- An Giang University
- University of Health Sciences
- Institute for Environment and Resources
Student life
Most VNU-HCM members share a university city on the eastern edge of Ho Chi Minh City, with dormitories for up to 50,000 students and nearly 340 student clubs covering academics, sport, music, the arts and volunteering. The system runs more than 2,700 extracurricular programmes a year, with signature events such as the VNU-HCM Student Sports Festival, the Open Basketball Tournament, the Student Music Festival and the Youth Symphony concert series. International Student Offices at member universities help with visas, housing and cultural adjustment.
- Dormitory capacity for 50,000 students.
- Nearly 340 student clubs and 2,700+ extracurricular programmes a year.
- VNU-HCM Student Sports Festival and Student Music Festival.
- A mental health e-handbook for dormitory residents, launched in 2024.
Housing. VNU-HCM's dormitory system in the university city has capacity for 50,000 students.
Location
VNU-HCM's university city covers 643.7 hectares in Linh Xuan Ward in the eastern part of Ho Chi Minh City, where most member universities share one campus. Students follow the Vietnamese academic calendar, with two main semesters, a summer semester for internships and fieldwork, and a Tet (Lunar New Year) break of 2-3 weeks in January or February.
Nearest airport: Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)
Notable alumni
- VV Võ Văn ThưởngPresident of Vietnam 2023-2024; bachelor's in philosophy (1992) from the University of Ho Chi Minh City and master's in philosophy (1999) from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU-HCM
- TB Trần Bá DươngFounder of automaker THACO; mechanical engineering graduate (1983) of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, now a VNU-HCM member
- NM Nguyễn Mạnh LuậtCybersecurity specialist and CEO of CyberJutsu Academy; computer science graduate (2016) of the University of Information Technology
- LN Lê Nguyễn Bảo NgọcMiss Intercontinental 2022; business administration (marketing) graduate of the International University
Frequently asked questions
Does VNU-HCM offer programmes in English?
Yes. 68 undergraduate programmes are taught entirely in English, and 84 programmes across all levels, alongside 45 joint degree programmes with international partners.
How do you get into VNU-HCM?
Through VNU-HCM's Competency Assessment Examination (March and early June), the National High School Graduation Examination, or direct admission for competition award winners. Admission decisions come in July and August.
How much is tuition at VNU-HCM?
Tuition is set by each member university and programme, so check the member's own fee page. VNU-HCM offers full-tuition scholarships to top entrants and 50-100% first-year scholarships to high scorers.
Does VNU-HCM have dormitories?
Yes. The dormitory system in the VNU-HCM university city has capacity for 50,000 students.
How long are degrees at VNU-HCM?
Four years for most bachelor's programmes, 4.5 years for engineering and architecture, five years for pharmacy and six years for medicine.
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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