According to the roadmap to 2030, Vietnam National University (VNU-HCM) will be in the top 100 universities in Asia and have at least one field in the top 100 in the world.
Thus, there is not much time left, the challenges are very large.
It is necessary to look directly at the reality, the race to rank international universities is not a smooth road. When VNU-HCM accelerates, universities in the region also constantly rise.
University ranking is comprehensive competition in terms of research quality, faculty, scientific publications, level of internationalization, business connectivity and social impact. To break through, we cannot do it in the old way, let alone "run after ranking" in a formal way.
How to get VNU-HCM into the top 100, the answer is people.
A university that wants to achieve international standards must gather a team of leading scholars, with real research capacity, recognized by the international scientific community.
VNU-HCM implements the VNU350 Program, setting a target of attracting 350 scientists by 2030, which is a step in the right direction. The fact that 22 scientists have been invited in 2025 and 71 people have been admitted after 5 rounds shows that this effort is becoming more substantive.
However, more importantly, it is to create a free, transparent, healthy competitive academic environment and sufficient conditions for scientists to maximize their capabilities.
More breakthrough policies are needed, from commensurate remuneration mechanisms, high income, modern research conditions, to autonomy in academia and resource use.
Along with elite forces is a focused and key investment strategy. Focused investment will create scientific products capable of making an impression on the international academic map.
Another factor is the innovation of management and evaluation systems. International rankings are based on transparent data on scientific publications, citations, international cooperation, and academic prestige.
When the assessment standard changes, the motivation to strive of lecturers and scientists will also change accordingly.
Furthermore, modern universities cannot be separated from businesses. Research must be linked to the development needs of the country, have the ability to commercialize, create economic value and social impact.
If VNU-HCM has close links with the business community and innovation, it will help enhance the prestige and position of the unit not only domestically.
The Top 100 Asian universities are not a formal destination, but a measure of a country's intellectual competitiveness.
If VNU-HCM can do it, it will not only be the success of a university, but also a step forward for Vietnamese education on the regional map.
