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Hong Duc University Makes a Strong Breakthrough in VNUR 2026 Rankings, Rising to 34th Nationwide with a 29-Place Jump

20/01/2026

The 2026 Vietnam University Rankings (VNUR-2026) have revealed notable changes across the national higher education system. In this context, Hong Duc University (Thanh Hoa) has emerged as a highlight, rising to 34th place nationwide. This achievement reflects the University’s significant progress in training quality and affirms its growing position and reputation within Vietnam’s higher education landscape.

According to VNUR methodology, the 2026 rankings are based on data and performance outcomes of higher education institutions in 2025. HDU’s position at 34th nationwide reflects the University’s training quality and governance capacity as assessed through an independent and transparent ranking framework.

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Hong Duc University (HDU)

In the 2024 VNUR, HDU was ranked 63rd; within just one ranking cycle, the University advanced 29 places, moving from the middle group to the top 34 most competitive higher education institutions in the country. Such a rapid rise is rare in the VNUR system and indicates substantial, rather than merely technical, improvements in quality and management.

VNUR-2026 reviewed 237 higher education institutions, of which only 193 met the data transparency and disclosure requirements to be officially ranked. This underscores VNUR’s increasing emphasis on information transparency, standardized reporting, and institutional accountability as key foundations of modern university governance. In this context, HDU’s inclusion and strong performance confirm its compliance with national regulations on public disclosure and its commitment to standardized, transparent management practices.

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Hong Duc University (HDU) is actively strengthening its international cooperation with more than 50 partner institutions from 25 countries, focusing on joint bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs as well as scientific research. Through strategic collaborations with prestigious partners such as the University of Zielona Góra (Poland), PUM (the Netherlands), the University of Erfurt (Germany), Woosuk University (Korea), LJ1D Consulting (France), and the Fulbright Program (USA), HDU aims to enhance the quality of education, promote faculty and student exchange, and develop high-quality human resources. Special emphasis is placed on advanced and emerging technologies, particularly in key fields such as semiconductor engineering, contributing to regional and national innovation and sustainable development

The VNUR ranking framework is built upon six standards and eighteen criteria covering the core pillars of higher education: training, research, and community service. HDU’s significant improvement across these indicators demonstrates that the University’s internal reforms and development efforts have been systematically measured, quantified, and recognized through an independent, scientifically grounded evaluation system.

Several key factors have contributed to this breakthrough. First, HDU has strictly implemented regulations on information disclosure and institutional transparency, thereby strengthening its governance capacity in line with modern and standardized practices. Second, the University has continuously enhanced its quality assurance system, including institutional and program accreditation, curriculum standardization, faculty development, and the strengthening of internal quality assurance mechanisms. These efforts have directly influenced the University’s performance in VNUR-2026.

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Hong Duc University Strengthens the Development of Textbooks and Learning Materials for Teaching and Learning

Student quality is another notable strength. As a comprehensive, multidisciplinary university of Thanh Hoa Province, HDU maintains close linkages with the local high school system, ensuring stable and competitive enrollment in programs that meet regional and societal needs. In VNUR’s approach, student quality is evaluated not only at entry but throughout the entire training process and in learning outcomes—an area where HDU has demonstrated clear advantages aligned with practical demands of the locality and the region.

Research and technology activities have also shown positive progress. VNUR-2026 utilizes data on scientific and technological projects and international publications from 2020 to 2024. HDU’s improved ranking thus reflects enhanced research productivity, increased implementation of scientific projects, and the development of application-oriented research directions serving community and socio-economic development.

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HDU Learner Quality: From Rigorous Admission to Outcome Standards Aligned with Real-World Needs

In parallel, the University has continued to invest in facilities and infrastructure, including lecture halls, laboratories, learning resource centers, and other support systems. In VNUR’s evaluation framework, facilities are not merely physical assets but integral components of training and research quality. The ongoing, systematic improvement of infrastructure has therefore contributed significantly to strengthening HDU’s overall capacity and sustainability.

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Modern Facilities and Infrastructure Supporting Education and Research at Hong Duc University

Commenting on the results, Associate Professor Dr. Bui Van Dung, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Hong Duc University, stated that achieving a Top 34 national position in VNUR-2026 is particularly meaningful for a provincially governed public university. The ranking confirms that HDU now belongs to the leading group among local universities nationwide, affirming the effectiveness of its strategic orientation toward quality enhancement and sustainable development.

The President emphasized that this achievement is the result of strong commitment, collective effort, and unity of the Party Committee, Board of Rectors, and all staff, lecturers, and employees. The University has consistently prioritized improving training quality, promoting research closely linked with practical needs, and upholding integrity and transparency in governance as the foundation for building institutional reputation and public trust.

Alongside internal quality improvement, HDU has increasingly focused on branding and communication through transparent information disclosure and participation in reputable national ranking systems. This is viewed as an objective channel to reflect the level of standardization and competitiveness of higher education institutions.

A concrete expression of this determination is the establishment of a Steering Committee for Ranking Index Improvement, tasked with analyzing VNUR and other ranking criteria and developing a systematic roadmap for targeted quality enhancement. As affirmed by the University leadership, participation in rankings is not for the sake of achievements alone, but a means for self-assessment, continuous improvement, and better service to learners and society.

The rise from 63rd place in 2024 to 34th in VNUR-2026 (based on 2025 data) marks a significant leap in quality and standardization for Hong Duc University. This achievement not only confirms the sound direction of the University’s quality assurance and governance reforms, but also opens a new position for HDU within Vietnam’s higher education system, providing a solid foundation for further enhancing its prestige and national competitiveness in the years to come.

Hong Duc University (HDU) is a public higher education institution under the People’s Committee of Thanh Hoa Province, located at 565 Quang Trung Street, Hac Thanh Ward, Thanh Hoa Province, Viet Nam. The University currently offers 7 doctoral programs, 22 master’s programs, and 40 undergraduate programs, with a total enrollment of 12,174 students as of December 31, 2025, including 8,382 full-time students. Its academic staff comprises 32 Associate Professors, 168 PhD holders, and 209 Master’s degree holders, ensuring strong capacity for multidisciplinary education and research. HDU has been accredited at the institutional level (Cycle 2) and has 26 accredited academic programs, including 5 master’s and 21 undergraduate programs, affirming its academic quality and reputation. With a campus area of nearly 478,000 m², modern classrooms, laboratories, research centers, a well-equipped library, and dormitories accommodating 1,800 students, Hong Duc University is steadily strengthening its position as a high-quality, multi-disciplinary center for education and research in the North Central region and nationwide.