Annual Working Exchange Seminar 2026 between the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City and the National Economics University

11 Jan, 2026

On the morning of January 9, 2026, the 2026 annual working exchange seminar between the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and the National Economics University (NEU) was held in Khanh Hoa, creating a multidimensional academic exchange forum and setting the stage for key collaborative programs for 2026.

An overview of the session

From UEH, attendees included Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao – Secretary of the Party Committee; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung – UEH Acting President; Dr. Dinh Cong Khai – Vice President; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong – Chairman of the Development Strategy Council; Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh – Chairman of the Science and Training Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet – Chairwoman of the UEH Alumni Executive Committee; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Dinh - Former Chairman of the University Council; Dr. Nguyen Thien Duy - Chairman of the Trade Union; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Hoai - Former Vice President, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the JABES Journal, along with leaders of member schools, campuses, offices, divisions, centers, faculties, and institutes.

From NEU, attendees included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho – Secretary of the Party Committee; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong – President of the University; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu – Vice President of the University; Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat – Chairman of the Scientific & Training Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Ha – Chairman of the Advisory Council; Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong - Former President of the University; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Lam - Former Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee; Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Cuong - Former Vice President; Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Van Hoa - Former Vice President; Dr. Nguyen Huu Dong - Chairman of the Trade Union, and leaders of professional units.

In his opening speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung, UEH Acting President, shared: "The 70-year journey of the National Economics University and the 50-year journey of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City are not just the histories of two key universities but also of pioneering, leadership, and enduring impact on the nation's development.

A special element of this journey is the 'Enduring Bonds”' - the deep bond between two universities at opposite ends of the country, sharing a common mission, vision, and values, and partnering in the development of our society and nation."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung, UEH Acting President, delivering his opening remarks

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, President of NEU, added: "There is a special relationship between our two universities, built and nurtured by many generations of leaders. Today, we are here to continue fostering this bond of solidarity in a new era, and I wish both universities continued strong development, maintaining their leading positions in Vietnam and the region."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, President of NEU, speaking at the session

At the session, delegates reviewed the comprehensive cooperation between the two universities from 2020-2025, spanning training, research, governance, and community engagement. The UEH-NEU cooperative relationship has been continually concretized through annual collaborative programs, contributing to the implementation of each institution's strategic tasks and jointly aiming for sustainable development. Representatives from both universities presented a report on the results of their 2020-2025 collaboration and the orientation for the 2025-2030 period.

Truong Minh Kiet, M.A., Acting Head of the UEH University Office, presenting the results of the 2020-2025 cooperation

Dr. Bui Duc Dung, Head of the NEU General Affairs Office, presenting the orientation for the 2025-2030 period

Representatives from both universities shared activities towards celebrating the 50th anniversary of UEH's establishment and the 70th anniversary of NEU's establishment. Through activities planned for this year, the two universities reflect on their development path while affirming their determination to write a new, proud chapter based on a resilient legacy of internal strength, consolidating and elevating the strategic partnership, synergizing academic strengths in training, research, and policy consultancy, thereby making positive contributions to the Vietnamese higher education system and the international integration process.

Duong Minh Man, M.A., Head of the UEH Human Resources and Organisation Development Department, presenting on the activities for the 50th anniversary of UEH's establishment

Dr. Bui Duc Dung, Head of the NEU General Affairs Office, sharing plans for the 70th anniversary of NEU's establishment

During the in-depth exchange session, participating delegates discussed, shared opinions, clarified cooperative contents, and proposed initiatives to continue consolidating, expanding, and elevating the cooperative relationship between UEH and NEU in the coming period. Notably, the sharing by Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat - Chairman of the Science and Training Council of the National Economics University on human resource development through fields related to the green economy and ESG. These suggestions opened new approaches for both universities in building human resources oriented towards green, sustainable development, aligning with the development strategy pursued by Khanh Hoa province.

Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, Chairman of the Science and Training Council, National Economics University, presenting on "Developing a Fast-Green-Digital Economy in Khanh Hoa: Implications for Human Resource Training at NEU & UEH."

Delegates engaging in discussion

The program also featured three parallel discussion sessions focused on key topics:

Session 1: Promoting the exchange of lecturers and students between the two universities

The first discussion session focused on systematizing and enhancing the effectiveness of lecturer and student exchange activities between UEH and NEU towards regularity, sustainability, and with clear mechanisms. The two universities agreed to build a joint coordination process and implement annual Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) to concretize academic and training exchange activities.

Accordingly, each year, each side plans to exchange about 50 domestic students and 10 international students, accompanied by supportive policies on tuition, accommodation, and study conditions. Additionally, faculties/institutes of the two universities will co-organize at least 2 academic or professional seminars each year, while implementing lecturer exchange and co-teaching activities with a scale of at least 2 lecturers per faculty. The two universities also agreed to promote mutual credit recognition and research the development of a shared database on scientific research, international publications, and cooperative projects, serving as a foundation for establishing a Joint Working Group from January 2026.

Session 2: Agreeing to organize a National Scientific Seminar on 40 years of Vietnam's economic renovation: Achievements, challenges, and development orientation in the new period

The second discussion session focused on exchanging and agreeing on the orientation for organizing a National Scientific Seminar with the anticipated theme "40 years of Vietnam's Economic Renovation: Achievements, Challenges, and Development Orientation in the New Period". Delegates agreed that the seminar would not stop at summarizing the 40-year renovation journey but aim to research, consult, and propose economic development models suitable for Vietnam's new context.

With the advantage of being multi-disciplinary, multi-field universities, the seminar's content will be expanded to other areas, based on scientific evidence and in-depth research from both institutions. Both sides agreed to develop the seminar following an annual scientific forum model, with the first edition planned for 2026 and a preparation time of 3-6 months to ensure academic quality, a review process, and a formal Call for Papers.

Session 3: Cultural-social exchanges, spreading university values for the community

The third discussion session focused on implementing a series of cultural, artistic, sports, and social responsibility exchange activities between staff, lecturers, and learners of the two universities throughout 2026. Both sides agreed to coordinate in implementing community support activities, including a project to support local educational institutions with a total estimated budget of 200 million VND, deployed in units associated with the campuses of both schools.

Furthermore, exchange activities and dialogues between the Trade Unions and Youth Unions of the two universities are planned for January 2026 and December 2026, combined with charitable programs and "Border March" activities on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union. Activities for young intellectuals such as the Forum "The Role of Young Intellectuals in the Digital Economy" are planned for August 2026, along with a series of sports activities, alumni exchanges, and collective art performances during the summer months and the anniversaries of both universities, identified as highlights to enhance cohesion, spread humanistic values, and affirm the role of universities in serving the community.

The working session not only provided an opportunity to exchange academic and governance experiences but also strengthened the heartfelt bond between the two institutions. The UEH-NEU cooperation model is becoming increasingly substantive, making tangible contributions to socio-economic development, Vietnam's higher education system, and the process of global integration.