Vietnam National University was established on the basis of Indochina University, opening its first course on November 15, 1945 under the chairmanship of President Ho Chi Minh. This is the first multidisciplinary, multi-field university established under the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
On June 4, 1956, the Government established Hanoi University, the first university of basic sciences (natural sciences and social sciences - humanities) in the North after the restoration of peace. Hanoi University directly inherited the traditions and facilities and techniques of the University of Indochina (1906), the Vietnam National University (1945) and the School of Basic Sciences (1951).
With a strategic vision, our Party and State have identified education and science and technology as the top national policies. Following that motto, on January 14, 1993, the 4th Conference of the Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (Term VII) issued a Resolution, which clearly stated the task of "Building a number of key national universities" (1) to act as the locomotive and backbone for the country's higher education. Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) was established with that role and mission.
Three times Uncle Ho visited Hanoi UniversityOn May 23, 1957, President Ho Chi Minh and President KEVorosilov (Soviet Union) visited Hanoi University. During this visit, Uncle Ho made important statements about the role of education and knowledge in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland of the cadres and students of Hanoi University. He emphasized the importance of training talents for the country, as well as developing revolutionary ideology and patriotism among students. He reminded teachers and students of the University to strive to teach and learn to fulfill their tasks.
This visit not only demonstrated the interest of the leaders of the two countries in education, but also contributed to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the Soviet Union. Before leaving, President Ho Chi Minh sang the song “Solidarity” to bid farewell to President E. Vorosilov.
In 1959, the University was honored to welcome Uncle Ho to visit twice.
In March 1959, President Ho Chi Minh and President R. Prasad (India) visited Hanoi University. During the visit, Uncle Ho gave a speech to 5,000 staff and students of the school. He encouraged and motivated students not only to study to acquire knowledge but also to apply it in practice, to serve the people and the Fatherland. He advised: "Learning must go hand in hand with practice, education must go hand in hand with labor" (2).
Here, President R. Prasad expressed his interest in the development of education in Vietnam and affirmed the friendly relationship between the two countries.
On June 26, 1959, President Ho Chi Minh and President A. Sukarno (Indonesia) attended a welcoming rally of university students and some vocational and high schools held at Hanoi University.
During the visit, Uncle Ho reiterated what “Uncle Carno” had advised the students: “The future of mankind lies largely in you young people - that is, you are the owners, the future masters and mistresses of the earth. But how can you be worthy of being a master and mistress? It is not enough to just sit back and relax and become a master and mistress, but:
1. Must be closely united.
2. Try to study well.
3. Must work well.
4. Overcome all difficulties to win, to enjoy all the science and knowledge of the 20th century era".
Finally, on behalf of Vietnamese students, He sent to the Indonesian youth and students "all the warm friendship and socialist emulation spirit of Vietnamese youth and students" (3).
The visits of Uncle Ho and high-ranking leaders of other countries demonstrated the solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and other countries; at the same time, they demonstrated the consistent policy of the Party and State of Vietnam on building an education system to serve the cause of national construction and defense: not only improving people's knowledge and training human resources, but also focusing on nurturing talents - a high-quality source to realize the aspiration of developing Vietnam.
Hanoi National University promotes President Ho Chi Minh's teachings, builds a research and innovative universityThe Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress of the Party affirmed: “Continue to synchronously innovate the goals, contents, programs, methods, and approaches of education and training in the direction of modernization, international integration, comprehensive human development, meeting the new requirements of socio-economic development, science and technology, adapting to the Fourth Industrial Revolution... Appropriate investment in high-quality, high-level education and training... Strive to make our country a strong country in education and training in the region, catching up with the advanced level of the world, participating in the international human resource training market” (4).
VNU strives to become a multidisciplinary, multi-field, research and innovation university, among the leading universities in Asia and the world.
Ho Chi Minh's teaching that "learning is not only learning knowledge, but also learning to be a human being" has been implemented by Hanoi National University through building a learning environment that not only focuses on academics, but also focuses on comprehensive development of students' qualities, ethics and soft skills. Extracurricular activities, cultural and sports exchange programs are organized for students to practice life skills, teamwork skills and leadership skills.
Hanoi National University has been developing strongly and sustainably in a modern, high-quality direction, closely following the teachings of President Ho Chi Minh. Promoting the combined strength of all resources, promoting the spirit of community and prestige, Hanoi National University constantly strives to train cadres with high professional capacity, a sense of responsibility to society, and generations of highly qualified students with sufficient capacity and qualities to serve the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.
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(1) Resolution No. 04 - NQ/HNTW of the 4th Conference of the Party Central Committee (7th tenure) on continuing to innovate education and training, January 14, 1993.
(2) Nhan Dan Newspaper, No. 1836, March 25, 1959.
(3) Nhan Dan Newspaper, No. 1929, June 27, 1959 and Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, National Political Publishing House - Truth, Hanoi, 2011, vol. 12, pp. 246-247.
(4) Communist Party of Vietnam: Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates, National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2021.
