The Vietnam National University was established on the basis of the University of Indochina, with its first course opening on November 15, 1945, under the chairmanship of President Ho Chi Minh. It was the first multidisciplinary 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 North Vietnam after peace was restored. Hanoi University directly inherited the traditions and material and technical infrastructure of Indochina University (1906), 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 top national priorities. Following that principle, on January 14, 1993, the Fourth Conference of the Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (Seventh Term) issued a Resolution, which clearly stated the task of “Building a number of key national universities”(1) to serve as the leading and core of higher education in the country. Hanoi National University (HNU) was established with that role and mission.
President Ho Chi Minh visited Hanoi University three times.On May 23, 1957, President Ho Chi Minh, along with Soviet President Kevin Rohru, visited Hanoi University. During this visit, President Ho Chi Minh made important statements about the role of education and knowledge in the cause of national construction and defense, particularly for the faculty and students of Hanoi University. He emphasized the importance of training talented individuals for the country, as well as developing revolutionary ideology and patriotism among students. He reminded the university's teachers and students to strive to teach and learn effectively to fulfill their mission.
This visit not only demonstrated the concern of the leaders of both countries for education, but also contributed to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the Soviet Union. Before departing, President Ho Chi Minh led the singing of the song "Unity" to bid farewell to President E. Vorosilov.
In 1959, the University had the honor of welcoming President Ho Chi Minh 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 cadres and students of the university. He encouraged students not only to learn to acquire knowledge but also to apply it to practice, serving the people and the Fatherland. He instructed: "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, along with President A. Sukarno (Indonesia), attended a celebratory rally organized by students from universities and several vocational and high schools at Hanoi University.
During the visit, President Ho Chi Minh reiterated the advice that "Uncle Karno" had given to the students: "The future of humankind largely rests in you young people - that is, you are the masters, the future owners of the earth. But to be worthy of being the masters, how should you act? It's not enough to just sit with your arms crossed to be the master, but:
1. We must be closely united.
2. Try your best to study well.
3. We must work hard.
4. Overcome all difficulties to achieve victory, to enjoy all the scientific knowledge and understanding of the 20th century.
Finally, on behalf of Vietnamese students, he sent to Indonesian youth and students "all the warm friendship and socialist emulation spirit of Vietnamese youth and students" (3).
President Ho Chi Minh's visits, along with high-ranking leaders from other countries, demonstrated the close ties and friendship between Vietnam and these nations. They also consistently reflected the Vietnamese Party and State's policy on building an education system that serves the cause of national construction and defense: not only raising the intellectual level of the people and training human resources, but also focusing on nurturing talent – a high-quality resource to realize Vietnam's development aspirations.
Hanoi National University, upholding the teachings of President Ho Chi Minh, is building a research and innovation university.The Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party affirms: “Continue to comprehensively innovate the goals, content, programs, methods and approaches of education and training in the direction of modernity, international integration, comprehensive human development, meeting the new requirements of socio-economic development, science and technology, adapting to the Fourth Industrial Revolution… Invest appropriately in high-quality, high-level education and training…. Strive to make our country a strong country in education and training in the region, catch up with the advanced level of the world, and participate in the international human resource training market” (4).
Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) strives to become a multidisciplinary, multi-field research and innovation university, ranking among the leading universities in Asia and the world.
Ho Chi Minh's teaching that "learning is not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about learning to be a good person" has been implemented by Hanoi National University through the creation of a learning environment that focuses not only on academics but also on the holistic development of students' character, ethics, and soft skills. Extracurricular activities, cultural exchange programs, and sports events are organized to help students develop life skills, teamwork skills, and leadership abilities.
Hanoi National University has been developing strongly and sustainably in a modern, high-quality direction, closely linked to the teachings of President Ho Chi Minh. Leveraging the combined strength of all resources, fostering a sense of community and prestige, Hanoi National University continuously strives to train highly competent professionals with a strong sense of social responsibility, and generations of highly qualified students with the necessary skills and qualities to serve the cause of national construction and defense.
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(1) Resolution No. 04 - NQ/HNTW of the Fourth Conference of the Central Committee of the Party (7th term) on continuing to reform the education and training cause, 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, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2021.
