25/09/2026
The ceremony was attended by representatives of provincial agencies, former university leaders, business associations, partner institutions, alumni, sponsors, faculty members, parents, and students. Among the distinguished guests were Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tuy, Deputy Head of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization; Ms. Bui Thi Thanh, Deputy Director of the Thanh Hoa Department of Education and Training; and Mr. Trinh Van Suy, Deputy Director of the Thanh Hoa Department of Science and Technology.
Representing Hong Duc University were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hoang Ba Huyen, Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the University; members of the University Board of Management; leaders of affiliated units and organizations; faculty and staff members; parents; outstanding valedictorians of the K29 cohort; and representatives of new and current students.
A musical performance welcoming the Opening Ceremony for Cohort 29 and the Symposium Celebrating the 29th Anniversary of Hong Duc University, marking the beginning of the new academic year
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hoang Ba Huyen warmly welcomed 3,772 newly admitted students who officially joined Hong Duc University in 2026. He expressed sincere appreciation to parents for entrusting the University with the education of their children and reaffirmed HDU’s commitment to continuously improving educational quality and learner support services.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hoang Ba Huyen, Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Hong Duc University, delivers the opening address at the Opening Ceremony
Reviewing the achievements of the 2025–2026 academic year, the President highlighted the issuance of Decision No. 1268/QD-TTg dated July 14, 2026, by the Prime Minister of Vietnam on the merger of Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism into Hong Duc University. He emphasized that the merger not only represents an organizational transformation but also opens a new stage of development, enabling the University to further capitalize on its strengths as a comprehensive, multidisciplinary higher education institution closely aligned with the workforce needs and development priorities of Thanh Hoa Province.
Delegates attending the Opening Ceremony
Following the merger, Hong Duc University has a workforce of 922 staff members and employees, including 623 lecturers and teachers, 232 doctoral degree holders, and 34 associate professors. The University now serves more than 20,000 learners and offers 8 doctoral programs, 25 master’s programs, and 52 undergraduate programs. Its organizational structure has been streamlined to 26 affiliated units and one scientific journal, reducing 17 administrative units compared to the combined structure of the two institutions prior to the merger.
Sponsors and business representatives attending the Opening Ceremony
As the University enters the 2026–2027 academic year—the first year operating under its new structure and expanded scale—six key priorities have been identified: improving governance and coordination mechanisms; enhancing training quality and enrollment effectiveness; promoting science, technology, innovation, and knowledge transfer; developing human resources; modernizing physical and digital infrastructure; and fostering a safe, disciplined, learner-centered educational environment rich in development opportunities.
An overview of the Opening Ceremony
Addressing the K29 students, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hoang Ba Huyen encouraged them to quickly adapt to university-level learning and research, cultivate foreign language proficiency and digital competencies, strengthen communication and teamwork skills, develop critical thinking, and embrace innovation. He also emphasized the importance of integrity, responsibility, discipline, and community engagement as essential qualities of future graduates.
The President noted that the University’s 29th anniversary is not only an opportunity to reflect on its achievements but also a time to define responsibilities for the future. As HDU enters its 30th year, he called on the entire university community to transform tradition into motivation, potential into capability, and opportunities into tangible achievements, striving to build Hong Duc University into a high-quality, reputable, multidisciplinary institution that develops along the lines of smart governance, innovation, international integration, and sustainable contribution to provincial development.
Welcoming the First Cohort After the University Merger
During the ceremony, the University announced the admission decisions for the K29 cohort and honored outstanding valedictorians from various undergraduate programs. These recognitions reflected both the remarkable achievements of the incoming students and the University’s commitment to encouraging academic excellence from the very beginning of their university journey.
University leaders present certificates of merit and awards to outstanding valedictorian
Representing the 3,772 freshmen, Ms. Trinh Quynh Anh, a student of the K29 Literature Teacher Education Program under the Faculty of Social Sciences, expressed pride and excitement in becoming a student of Hong Duc University. She highlighted the special significance of belonging to the first student cohort enrolled after the historic merger. On behalf of the new students, she pledged to actively pursue knowledge, engage in research, develop professional skills and personal character, enhance digital competencies, and participate enthusiastically in student, cultural, sports, volunteer, and community service activities.
Student Trinh Quynh Anh, a freshman of the K29 Bachelor’s Program in Literature Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, delivers remarks at the Opening Ceremony
On this occasion, organizations and enterprises contributed to the Hong Duc University Scholarship Fund, helping support students facing financial difficulties and those who have achieved outstanding academic and extracurricular performance.
Launching the Emulation Movement Toward the University’s 30th Anniversary
Another important highlight of the program was the official launch of the emulation movement celebrating the 30th anniversary of Hong Duc University. On behalf of the University leadership, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dong Huong Lan, Vice President of the University, formally announced the campaign.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dong Huong Lan, Vice Rector, launches the emulation movement toward the 30th Anniversary of Hong Duc University
In her remarks, she emphasized that the 2026–2027 academic year marks the University’s first year of operation following the merger, creating new opportunities for growth and interdisciplinary development. The upcoming 30th anniversary was described as a significant milestone and a catalyst for a broad, practical movement aimed at fostering responsibility, innovation, creativity, and dedication among staff, faculty members, employees, and learners.
The movement focuses on five key areas: accelerating digital transformation and improving educational quality; promoting scientific research, technological innovation, and the development of exemplary research projects; encouraging academic excellence and active student engagement; creating a green, clean, modern, and civilized university environment; and strengthening the values and traditions of the Hong Duc University community while nurturing pride and aspirations for future development.
Faculty members, staff, and students are encouraged to translate these goals into practical initiatives, scientific products, innovations, and meaningful contributions. The campaign also promotes the application of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in teaching, learning, and administration, while strengthening interdisciplinary research and collaboration with businesses, local authorities, and domestic and international partners.
The ceremony concluded with a response speech from Dr. Nguyen Van Toan, Chairman of the University Trade Union, who called upon all members of the University community to actively participate in the movement and contribute to the successful realization of its objectives.
Delegates pose for a commemorative photograph
The Opening Ceremony for the 29th Regular Undergraduate Cohort took place at a historic moment as Hong Duc University entered its 30th year of development and began its first academic year after the merger. These milestones present new opportunities while also requiring higher standards in education, research, governance, and social contribution.
Building on 29 years of development and strengthened by new resources following the merger, Hong Duc University enters the 2026–2027 academic year with a spirit of unity, responsibility, innovation, and aspiration. The University remains committed to enhancing educational quality, advancing scientific research and knowledge transfer, and progressively realizing its vision of becoming a smart, innovative, internationally integrated university that makes meaningful contributions to the sustainable development of Thanh Hoa Province and beyond.