VNU-HUS – A leading institution in natural sciences education in Vietnam with 8 faculties and 1 high school for gifted students
Undergraduate and Graduate Education
VNU University of Science (VNU-HUS) is home to approximately 7,000 undergraduate students and 600 graduate students across its eight faculties, which span nearly all areas of natural sciences:
- Faculty of Mathematics, Mechanics, and Informatics
- Faculty of Physics
- Faculty of Chemistry
- Faculty of Biology
- Faculty of Geography
- Faculty of Geology
- Faculty of Meteorology, Hydrology, and Oceanography
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences
At VNU-HUS, all undergraduate and graduate programs are designed to cultivate deep and comprehensive professional knowledge. Students benefit from a balanced education that combines classroom learning with hands-on experience in laboratories and research environments, fostering both theoretical understanding and practical skills.
One of the key contributors to the university's success is its High School for Gifted Students (HSGS). Established as the first institution of its kind in Vietnam, HSGS is celebrated for its exceptional academic standards and its impressive achievements in national and international Olympiads in Mathematics, Informatics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Notable alumni include Prof. Ngo Bao Chau, a Fields Medalist (2010) and mathematician at the University of Chicago, and Prof. Dam Thanh Son, a physicist also at the University of Chicago.
Advancing scientific excellence through globalized education and specialized programs
Dedicated Talented Program
Since 1997, VNU has offered the Talented Program, a specialized initiative designed to nurture the brightest students. Each faculty hosts a dedicated Talented Program, admitting only the top 15–20 students of the year into exclusive classes. These students benefit from exceptional academic resources and an environment tailored for excellence. The Honors Program has proven to be a highly successful model for talent development Many graduates of the program pursue PhD degrees abroad, with a significant number returning to serve as lecturers in Vietnam, contribute to leading universities worldwide, or take on key roles in top corporations.
International Standard Programs
To strengthen global competitiveness, uphold academic excellence, and prepare graduates for the international job market, VNU-HUS has introduced and is expanding International Standard Programs in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. These advanced programs, delivered primarily in English, attract international students, facilitate student exchanges, and foster global academic collaboration. By aligning with international standards, VNU-HUS contributes to national development and continues to play a vital role in an increasingly interconnected world.
Curriculums with a Focus on English Proficiency Alongside Scientific Expertise
To meet the demands of Vietnam’s internationalization, VNU-HUS has upgraded its curriculum to emphasize both subject expertise and English proficiency. Many programs offer up to 80% of courses in English and require a B2 level of English proficiency for graduation, equipping students to excel in global academic and professional settings.
Active Joint Program
In collaboration with National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), Taiwan, VNU-HUS launched Vietnam's first Semiconductor Program, the master’s degree in Semiconductor Technology, in 2019. The program has been running successfully for the past five years and was recently extended for another five years. As part of the program, NYCU provides scholarships for students to spend their first year in Vietnam and their second year in Taiwan. To date, more than 30 students have graduated, with many now working at leading companies in the field such as TSMC, Micron, and Phison, while others are pursuing PhDs at top universities worldwide.
Previous Joint Training Programs
To advance its commitment to innovative higher education and its goals of regional integration and alignment with international standards, the university implemented a special project supported by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU). Through partnerships with schools ranked among the world’s top 100 universities, VNU University of Science offered six advanced undergraduate programs, which have concluded recently after fulfilling their mission.
- Advanced program in Chemistry with University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA (since 2006)
- Advanced program in Mathematics with University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA (since 2008)
- Advanced Program in Physics with Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA (since 2009)
- Advanced Program in Biology with Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA (since 2009)
- Advanced Program in Environmental Science with Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA (since 2010)
- Advanced Program in Geology with University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA (since 2009)
The following graduate programs have also ended after successful partnerships and completed their mission:
- Organic Chemistry with University of Rennes I, Rennes, France
- Nuclear Physics with University of Bordeaux I, Bordeaux, France
- Environmental Engineering with Kitakyushu University, Kitakyushu, Japan (Project 911)
- Master and Doctoral Training Program with University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Master and Doctoral Training Program in Nano Science and Technology with Japan Advanced Institution of Science and Technology (JAIST), Nomi, Ishikawa, Japan
- Master and Doctoral Training Program in Environmental Science and Technology with Gwangju Institution of Science and Technology (GIST), Honam, South Korea
- Master Program in Polluted Areas Treatment and Waste Management with Dresden Technological University (TU Dresden), Dresden, Germany
- Master Program in Organic Chemical Materials with University of the South, Toulon-Var, Toulon-Var, France
- Master Program in Land Administration with University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands.