22/09/2026
Hong Duc University was established on September 24, 1997, under Decision No. 797/TTg issued by the Prime Minister, through the merger of three provincial colleges in Thanh Hoa. As the first higher education institution in the province, HDU has played a vital role in training human resources, advancing scientific research, and supporting regional development.
Mr. Tô Anh Dũng, Chairman of Thanh Hóa Provincial People’s Committee, delivers remarks at the ceremony announcing the Prime Minister’s Decision on the merger of Thanh Hóa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism into Hong Duc University on August 8, 2026
Over the past 29 years, generations of leaders, lecturers, staff, and students have worked tirelessly to build and strengthen the University. Thousands of engineers, teachers, bachelors, master's graduates, and doctoral degree holders have been educated at HDU, many of whom are now making significant contributions across various sectors throughout Vietnam.
Hong Duc University enters a new stage of development after 29 years of establishment and growth
A major turning point came in 2026 when the University entered a new phase of development following the merger approved by the Prime Minister under Decision No. 1268/QD-TTg dated July 14, 2026. This milestone not only expanded the University's organizational structure but also created new opportunities to enhance academic strengths, optimize resources, and increase its capacity to serve the province's development needs.
Following the merger, Hong Duc University now has 920 staff members and employees, including 541 lecturers, 232 doctorate holders, and 34 associate professors. The University offers 8 doctoral programs, 25 master's programs, and 54 undergraduate programs, serving more than 19,000 learners, including doctoral candidates, postgraduate students, and undergraduates. The expansion of facilities and academic resources has further strengthened the University's ability to improve educational quality, scientific research, and student services.
Delegates attend the ceremony announcing the Prime Minister’s Decision on the merger of Thanh Hóa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism into Hong Duc University
On the occasion of the University's 29th anniversary, Mr. To Anh Dung, Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, acknowledged the dedication and contributions of generations of university leaders, lecturers, staff, employees, and students throughout the University's development journey.
According to the Chairman, Hong Duc University has gradually evolved into a comprehensive multidisciplinary institution with significant contributions to human resource development, scientific research, and socio-economic progress. These achievements reflect not only the commitment and efforts of the University's community but also the continuous support and guidance of Thanh Hoa Province.
In education, the University has consistently achieved enrollment rates exceeding 90%, while more than 90% of graduates secure employment within one year after graduation, demonstrating the strong alignment between academic training and labor market demands.
Research activities have also achieved remarkable progress. During the past five years, the University has secured approval for 59 national, ministerial, and provincial research projects. HDU scholars have published 2,248 scientific papers, including 375 articles in prestigious international journals. The University's Journal of Science has been licensed for electronic publication, increasing its annual issues from six to eleven since October 2024, and has been recognized by the State Professorship Council in six academic disciplines.
Hong Duc University students engage in practical training, linking academic knowledge with hands-on experience and real-world applications
In the 2025–2026 academic year alone, HDU faculty members published 91 papers indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases. Numerous inventions, plant varieties, software applications, technical solutions, and research products have been successfully applied in practice.
Educational quality continues to be affirmed through accreditation achievements. The University has completed its second-cycle institutional accreditation and received a 4-star UPM rating. A total of 37 academic programs have been accredited, including 100% of teacher education programs at all levels. These accomplishments have created a solid foundation for the University's next stage of development, strengthening its capacity in education, research, innovation, and community engagement.
Following the merger, Hong Duc University has expanded its multidisciplinary profile, offering programs in education, engineering and technology, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, economics, law, social sciences, foreign languages, culture, arts, sports, and tourism. The addition of new academic fields, human resources, and institutional strengths has created broader opportunities for growth while also requiring the University to transform increased scale into higher quality and greater effectiveness.
Chairman To Anh Dung emphasized that the merger should not be viewed as an end goal but rather as an opportunity for the University to achieve new breakthroughs in quality and performance. A larger institution must be accompanied by higher educational standards, more effective governance, and greater social responsibility.
To meet these expectations, the University is encouraged to continue strengthening governance, developing its academic staff, enhancing educational quality, expanding scientific research, and promoting technology transfer. The resources brought together through the merger should be transformed into tangible outcomes that effectively serve the development needs of Thanh Hoa Province.
Career guidance activities at Hong Duc University help align education with employment opportunities and labor market demands
A key priority is to further modernize academic programs and teaching methods while strengthening connections with labor market demands and business needs. Particular attention should be given to sectors experiencing strong growth during the province's industrialization, urbanization, digital transformation, and economic restructuring processes. Beyond training human resources, the University is expected to play an increasingly important role in providing scientific, technological, and innovative solutions for regional development.
The Chairman also highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation among government agencies, universities, and enterprises. Through practical collaboration, the government can identify development needs and create supportive policies, the University can provide training and research solutions, and enterprises can actively participate in education, innovation, and workforce development.
Future international cooperation should focus not only on increasing the number of partners but also on enhancing the quality and effectiveness of collaboration. This includes gaining access to advanced knowledge, technologies, educational methodologies, and governance practices while creating more opportunities for faculty members and students to participate in international academic networks.
Digital transformation is also expected to become a major driver of institutional innovation. The integration and effective use of digital systems and data will support improvements in governance, teaching, research, and student services, contributing to the University's long-term vision of becoming a smart, modern, and professionally managed university.
At the heart of all these efforts is the development of a highly qualified academic community. The University will continue to invest in lecturers and researchers with strong professional expertise, innovative thinking, and international perspectives, while creating an environment that encourages creativity, research excellence, and lifelong contribution.
Reflecting on the University's 29-year journey, Chairman To Anh Dung expressed confidence that, with its strong foundation and newly expanded resources, Hong Duc University will continue to enhance its role as a leading multidisciplinary higher education institution. The University is expected to become an important center for high-quality human resource development, scientific research, technology transfer, and innovation in Thanh Hoa Province, the North Central Region, and Vietnam as a whole.
Mr. Tô Anh Dũng, Chairman of Thanh Hóa Provincial People’s Committee, and delegates visit the exhibition showcasing Hong Duc University’s products, research achievements, and cooperative activities at the 2026 Business Dialogue Conference
The 29th anniversary is both a celebration of a remarkable journey and the beginning of a new chapter. Nearly three decades of dedication have laid a solid foundation; the merger marks a significant transformation; and the true measure of future success will be reflected in educational quality, research impact, and meaningful contributions to society.
With its established achievements and renewed strengths, Hong Duc University is well positioned to advance its mission, enhance its reputation, and contribute even more effectively to the sustainable development of Thanh Hoa Province and the country.