The first working day of the VNU Hanoi Agency at its new Hoa Lac headquarters.

A historic turning point

Inheriting the tradition of academic excellence from the University of Indochina and the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) boasts a strong team of faculty and scientists. With a glorious history spanning over 110 years, many leading officials of the Party and State have studied and trained here. VNU has affirmed its international standing, living up to the expectations and attention of the Party and State, and is highly regarded by society.

On May 19, 2022, the history of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) will have another special milestone as the entire administrative body relocates its headquarters to Hoa Lac, according to Announcement No. 1666/TB-VNU issued on May 18, 2022. The relocation of VNU's headquarters to Hoa Lac is an important preparatory step to welcome students to study and live there starting in September 2022.

This historic day for Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) is even more meaningful as it coincides with the 132nd anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth. On this occasion, all staff, faculty, and employees of VNU performed the flag-raising ceremony and respectfully offered incense, expressing their boundless gratitude and profound respect for President Ho Chi Minh – the beloved Father of the nation.

To achieve this momentous milestone, over the past six months, the entire Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) has worked together, united in purpose, and focused all resources on Hoa Lac, witnessing the rapid changes that have far exceeded expectations.

At the end of 2021, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) established a Steering Committee and Working Group to implement the task of bringing VNU students to study at the Hoa Lac campus. In the first and second quarters of 2022, VNU completed and put into use lecture halls, classrooms, laboratories, etc., at the HT1 and HT2 complexes, the Zone 4 dormitory area, the library, and the VNU administrative area. The VNU Board of Directors moved to work permanently at the Hoa Lac headquarters from March 2022. Alongside investing in the construction of essential facilities to serve the learning and working activities of students and lecturers, as well as the community in the coming time, VNU and its partners have actively planted more trees here, aiming to green 165 hectares.

The Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi stated that, with the determination, focus, and urgency of all units, the VNU Administration Building and the surrounding campus have been completed, contributing to a clearer overall picture of the facilities to welcome students to live and study in Hoa Lac in September this year.

The Director of VNU acknowledged and commended the efforts and cooperative spirit of the Office and functional departments, the Party and mass organization offices, member and affiliated units, especially the Office, the Construction Department, the VNU Development Center, the Construction Project Management Board; the Project Management Board; the World Bank Board; the Library and Digital Knowledge Center; and expressed gratitude to the sponsoring organizations and individuals, and the silent contributions of many officials, staff, and workers that have made VNU's workplace beautiful, green, and modern today.

The expectations of the Party, State, and Government for a world-class university city.

Twenty years ago, the late Prime Minister Vu Van Kiet demonstrated a grand vision and vision regarding the establishment and focused investment in two national universities so that Vietnam could soon have world-class universities.

Despite numerous difficulties, the ideals of the late Prime Minister Vu Van Kiet remain strong. The Vietnam National University project in Hoa Lac was officially launched on December 20, 2003, in the presence of Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem, and many leaders from ministries, departments, and central agencies.

During a meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the leadership of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), the Prime Minister emphasized the need to focus on completing the VNU construction project in Hoa Lac with high determination, great effort, decisive and effective action, and a new mindset and approach. The Prime Minister requested that the project be implemented as a national university urban area, with construction potentially phased but the planning having a long-term vision. The Prime Minister suggested a "5-in-1" model for this university urban area: a talent training center; a modern technology transfer and research center; a national and international-level innovation center; a smart and modern university city; and a center for public-private partnerships and research and training.

Following the Prime Minister's directive, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) has focused all its efforts on realizing the goal of bringing 15,000 students to study at the Hoa Lac campus. This aligns with the policy of relocating universities and colleges in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, currently located in central districts, to the outskirts to address the difficulties and inadequacies in terms of space and infrastructure for universities and colleges in Hanoi, as well as the impact of the university system on the overall development of Hanoi.

Joining in the atmosphere of this solemn ceremony, the Leadership Board and all staff, lecturers, and students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities also sent bouquets of fresh flowers, congratulations, and expressed their high determination to join in the strong transformation of Hanoi National University at its new Hoa Lac campus.