In line with Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW, the State will carry out a major and comprehensive merger of universities. This will be one of the essential “major surgeries” needed for the higher education system to achieve a “fundamental and comprehensive reform” in accordance with Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW.

Merging universities does not mean a mechanical combination through administrative decisions, nor is restructuring simply about reducing the number of institutions like a mathematical subtraction. The merger is, above all, the first step in revitalizing Vietnam’s higher education system in the new era.

A revolution in higher education

The restructuring and merger of universities are not merely an educational requirement but a strategic solution, a political decision tied to the country’s future. It aims to continuously enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of university governance, the quality and impact of higher education, and Vietnam’s international academic standing. This will be achieved by optimizing resources, attracting domestic and international talent, strengthening the link between education and research to better serve learners and society, and fostering closer collaboration between universities, enterprises, and research institutes, deepening the integration of Vietnam’s higher education with global higher education; and establish large, multidisciplinary, multifunctional universities with strong capacity for both specialized and interdisciplinary research and training — institutions capable of meeting the nation’s strategic missions while embodying the stature and spirit of the new era.

Therefore, the merger and reorganization of universities based on the spirit of inheriting traditions, promoting the values built by previous generations, and aligning with international standards and practices, truly represents a revolution, perhaps only ranking second to the administrative reorganization of local government units.

Vietnam’s path of development can not diverge from global trends and the progress of human civilization. The evolution of higher education in Vietnam must embody the message of General Secretary To Lam, who emphasized the need for internationalization in education built on three pillars “Learning – Studying – Inquiry”, along with scientific research, technological innovation, and university governance. The sooner and deeper this internationalization occurs, the greater the benefit for the nation and its people.

The establishment of large, multidisciplinary universities will bring clear competitive advantages in terms of resources, brand reputation, and training quality. However, these advantages can only be realized if accompanied by modern, transparent, and academically autonomous governance mechanisms.

Students of the University of Management and Business, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, at the graduation ceremony. Photo: VNU

National interests must come first

With the guiding principle that “Breakthroughs in education and training must begin with innovation in thinking, perception, and institutional reform”, the university merger process must be carefully considered in several key aspects as follows:

First, alongside a comprehensive understanding and implementation of the “Four Pillars” of Party Resolutions and Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW, mergers must be handled with fairness and logic, considering factors such as academic fields, research and training capacity, operational scale and efficiency, the national higher education and science–technology strategies, social consensus, and governance mechanisms that balance international standards with Vietnam’s conditions. The process must protect the rights of students and staff, safeguard public assets, and enhance resource allocation efficiency.

Second, mergers should follow the “comply or explain” principle, which means that universities either accepted state restructuring decisions because they are rational and optimal, or they can propose alternative, more reasonable arrangements — always prioritizing national interest above localism, factionalism, or group interests. On that basis, national universities should be reorganized following the model of historically prestigious comprehensive universities.

University mergers must respect history and selectivity, drawing lessons from developed countries where a single university often operates multiple campuses (e.g., the University of California system with nine campuses). In Vietnam, each major university should ideally have three campuses across the North, Central, and South, while some specialized institutions may maintain regional research stations or facilities suited to their missions and core values.

Third, an equitable, transparent, and objective “playing field” should be created through public investment mechanisms. The State should fund universities based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that reflect their societal contributions and the government’s assigned tasks over each five-year period.

The higher education system should function under a quasi-market mechanism, one that follows market principles but avoids total marketization. There must be State regulation and public oversight to minimize regional and economic inequalities and ensure equal access to higher education.

Students of Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Photo: HUST

Fourth, mergers may involve not only “addition” but also “division”. Splitting a university and integrating parts into more suitable institutions can be a necessary “sacrifice” for the greater strength of the entire system, again, with national interest as the top priority.

The current network of regional universities should be maintained and expanded. Vietnam’s “regional universities”, alongside national, specialized, and local institutions, play a crucial role in clustering higher education and research centers into strong academic hubs that support socio-economic development in their respective regions.

It is also advisable to re-establish Comprehensive Universities. Initially, at least two should be founded, one in Hanoi and one in Ho Chi Minh City, with consideration for a third in the Central and Central Highlands region, based in Da Nang. These universities must prove their worth through KPIs, contributing meaningfully to national development and global knowledge.

Universities must also be granted full and genuine autonomy. Autonomy does not mean total freedom, but rather self-governance under principles of transparency and accountability, ensuring compliance with national education laws and regulations.

The merger and restructuring of Vietnam’s university system is both timely and essential. It must be guided by the Party’s core resolutions, particularly the “Four Pillars” and Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW, while ensuring transparency, autonomy, and social responsibility. Only then can Vietnam build large, world-class universities that lead the nation’s progress and stand shoulder to shoulder with renowned institutions around the world, fulfilling their historic mission in the New Era of National Renaissance.

Prof. Dr. Tran Duc Vien