In October 1945, President Ho Chi Minh signed the decree to establish Hanoi University of Arts – the precursor of the current VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi. In April 1956, University of Hanoi was established. During this period, fundamental foundation for the disciplines of social sciences and humanities as well as the university’s tradition and reputation were laid.
In September 1995, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities was established on the basis of the disciplines of social sciences and humanities from University of Hanoi, and became an official member of Vietnam National University, Hanoi - the country’s leading comprehensive and most prestigious training and research center.
It can be said that USSH today is the continuation of the University of Literature, Hanoi University, and Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Its aim is to become an advanced research university, with the mission of "taking the lead in training high-quality human resources, and creating and disseminating knowledge of social sciences and humanities".
In 75 years of development, USSH has always been considered by the Party and State of Vietnam to be the country's biggest center for training and studying social sciences and humanities, tasked with producing a force of qualified staff specialized in the fundamental sciences and contribute to national development and defense.
Integrity and entrepreneurship, standardization and creativity are the core traditional values of the University always preserved and promoted by generations of its staff and students.
In 2005, on the 60th anniversary of its tradition, the University was awarded the Title of Labor Hero by the Vietnamese President.
In 2010, celebrating 65 years of tradition, the University was the Medal of Ho Chi Minh by the Vietnamese President.
In 2015, celebrating 70 years of tradition and 20 years of establishment of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, recognizing the contributions by the University to training human resources and science-technology development in the period 2009-2014, the Vietnamese President awarded the University the Labor Medal of the First Order.
Over 75 years of development, despite countless difficulties, thanks to its cohesion and entrepreneurship, the University has become more and more developed, striving to become an advanced research university in the region and the world.
University of Social Sciences and Humanities currently has 15 faculties; 1 division; 9 functional offices; 01 school; 01 research institute; 10 training and research centers; 01 company; 01 Museum; 01 Journal; 01 High School for Gifted Students in Social Sciences and Humanities. The University has 520 staff members: 70% of whom are Doctors, 28% are Professors/Assoc.professors. USSH's administrative system is being perfected through modernization and integration.