The fact that many Vietnamese universities are consistently recognized in international rankings not only reflects improving academic capabilities but also demonstrates the effectiveness of the deepening process of autonomy and integration.
Within that overall picture, Van Lang University stands out as a prime example, representing the efforts to innovate institutions, undergo digital transformation, and connect with businesses, contributing to the realization of the Party and State's major policies on sustainable educational development.
In November 2025, the 2026 Asian University Rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) marked a significant milestone for Vietnamese higher education: Van Lang University was ranked 251st in the region, 199th in academic reputation, among the top 5 universities in Vietnam, and within the top 1001-1200 universities worldwide .
Van Lang University is ranked 251st in Asia and among the top 5 universities in Vietnam according to QS Asia 2026 – a testament to its efforts towards autonomy and integration. (Image: Van Lang University website)
Behind those figures lies not only the efforts of a single university, but also the result of a comprehensive institutional transformation, where the major policies of the Party and State on "fundamental and comprehensive reform of education and training" have been put into practice, creating new momentum for the Vietnamese higher education system to integrate, develop sustainably, and assert its capabilities on the regional knowledge map.
Educational reform: From policy to practical implementation.
Resolution 29-NQ/TW (2013) of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam marked a turning point in Vietnamese educational thinking, aiming for the comprehensive development of learners' abilities and qualities. By 2025, Resolution 71-NQ/TW inherited that spirit, emphasizing three key breakthroughs: perfecting institutions, promoting university autonomy, and international integration linked with digital transformation.
From a guiding principle, university autonomy has now become an operating principle, enabling educational institutions to be proactive in finance, personnel, and curriculum, while also being accountable for quality and reputation.
It is in this context that many Vietnamese universities, especially private ones, are gradually asserting their position. Van Lang University is one of the prime examples, clearly reflecting the spirit of "autonomy coupled with responsibility, integration coupled with quality" that the State is encouraging and guiding development towards.
Autonomy and integration: the path to policy realization.
"University autonomy" was once understood primarily in terms of finance, but through the implementation of Resolution 71, this concept has expanded to include academics and governance, enabling universities to proactively plan strategies while taking responsibility for quality and social impact. Van Lang University is one of the institutions that has consistently and early implemented this spirit.
In this context, this model becomes a prime example of the spirit of "autonomy coupled with responsibility" that the State's new policies aim for. From an application-oriented training approach, the university is developing towards a socially impactful university – where research, teaching, and collaboration are closely linked to businesses and the sustainable development needs of the community.
Instead of expanding in size through quantity, the university chooses to raise academic standards through facts and results, clearly demonstrated in its research strategy, international publications, and academic collaborations. This approach aligns with the spirit of Resolutions 29 and 71, emphasizing innovation, accountability, and the development of genuine quality.
According to the QS Asia 2026 rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds (UK), Van Lang University is among the top 251-300 universities in Asia, ranking 199th in "Academic Reputation" - an index reflecting the assessment of the regional research community.
Previously, according to the Times Higher Education's THE Impact Rankings 2025, Van Lang University was ranked in the 601-800 group of universities worldwide for sustainable development, demonstrating its efforts to align education and research with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These indicators not only honor the university but also show that the autonomy policy is proving effective, enabling Vietnamese educational institutions to compete on a level playing field based on quality and transparency through data.
Vietnamese education on the path to international integration.
Along with autonomy, international integration is one of the major pillars of higher education development policy. At Van Lang University, the internationalization strategy is not limited to collaborative training, but extends to research networks, semester exchanges, cross-national internships, and building a multicultural learning environment right here in Vietnam. Vietnamese and international students learn, create, and participate together in programs like Speak Up for Van Lang, activities that are not only experiential but also reflect the spirit of an open and multifaceted education.
The reality at Van Lang University shows that the process of innovation and business cooperation is creating many practical experiences for students. According to Tuoi Tre Newspaper (December 2024), more than 400 Van Lang students participated in the "Learning at Tuoi Tre Newspaper Editorial Office" program, the first formal practical training model between a private university and a central press agency, helping students work as real reporters, learning how to verify and process information in a professional environment.
The signing ceremony for the training cooperation agreement between Van Lang University and Tuoi Tre Newspaper - a "learning at the newsroom" model - helps students gain practical professional experience. (Photo: Van Lang University website)
Many lecturers and students also participate in innovative projects with businesses and professional associations such as VNPR (Vietnam Public Relations Association), thereby enhancing their application capacity, critical thinking, and professional skills. These experiences demonstrate that transformation is only sustainable when there is a harmonious combination of policies, people, and technology.
In particular, the fact that Van Lang University was honored by Microsoft as a "Typical Digital School in Asia" and selected by HR Asia-Human Resources Asia (a leading human resources magazine in the region) as the "Best Workplace in Asia" in 2025 is proof of how a private university in Vietnam can apply digital transformation and build a humane environment, in line with the direction the State is promoting: developing digital education, enhancing the capacity of the staff, and placing people at the center of the innovation process.
However, alongside these advancements come numerous challenges that Vietnamese higher education needs to overcome. Competition in terms of training quality, international publications, and attracting talent is increasingly fierce; in particular, private universities must balance academic development with financial sustainability.
Some institutional barriers include complex and lengthy new program approval processes; and frequently changing regulations on admissions and accreditation, making it difficult to proactively adjust curricula to meet the needs of society and businesses.
According to an internal survey at Van Lang University, many students reported that innovative programs helped them access knowledge from multiple perspectives, but they still struggled to adapt to new demands for critical thinking and digital skills. Some lecturers shared that the process of autonomy and innovation requires them to invest more time and effort in updating teaching methods, especially when applying project-based learning models or integrating technology. These are the fundamental challenges that genuine integration and autonomy must face.
Rankings - a mirror reflecting true quality.
Among Vietnam's system of over 240 higher education institutions, the fact that a private university has made it into the top 251 in Asia is the result of a steadfast commitment to innovation, linking training with accreditation and academic proof. This is not just an achievement of one university, but reflects the overall direction of Vietnamese education in viewing "rankings" as a tool for self-reflection, self-adjustment, and quality improvement.
Ranked 199th in Asia for academic reputation, according to QS, this is a signal that efforts invested in research, teaching, and scientific collaboration are being recognized. These indicators are not the ultimate goal, but rather a reflection of the inherent capabilities of the higher education system in the context of increasing competition and international integration.
Importantly, through external evaluation processes, Vietnamese universities, especially private ones, are gradually developing a culture of transparency and accountability, considering the quality of education as the central measure. This approach aligns with the objectives of Resolution 71 on transforming governance models towards data-driven, independent accreditation and sustainable development.
National policy values and vision
If education is considered the foundation of sustainable development, then the gradual rise of Vietnamese universities in the region is clear evidence of the effectiveness of fundamental and comprehensive reform policies.
The success of Vietnamese universities in international rankings demonstrates the correctness of the autonomy policy, where institutions are empowered academically, financially, and in terms of personnel, while also being accountable to society.
The rise of private universities like Van Lang University is proof that the policy of socializing education and equal opportunities is proving effective. Private universities not only contribute to the training of high-quality human resources but also affirm their role in accompanying the State in enhancing national academic competitiveness. In fact, not only Van Lang but many other private universities in Ho Chi Minh City such as Hoa Sen, FPT, Hutech... are also demonstrating their ability to integrate and be academically transparent, contributing to a new face for Vietnamese higher education during this transitional period.
From such innovative models, we can learn that when mechanisms are truly empowered, and when schools are encouraged to be transparent and creative, the Vietnamese education system will develop its own strength to integrate and assert its identity. The success of a school, when viewed holistically, is a contribution to the common vision: creating an open, humane, and sustainable education system.
Each step forward in international rankings reinforces the belief that Vietnamese education is capable of integrating, competing, and asserting its identity. It also demonstrates that when policies are on the right track, implemented consistently, and supported by genuine incentives, results are measured not only by numbers but also by the prestige and social influence of the education system.
The achievements of Van Lang University and many other universities not only contribute to enhancing national prestige but also affirm that the Party and State's educational development policies are on the right track.
Overview of Van Lang University - a private university model oriented towards sustainable development and international integration. (Photo: Van Lang University website)
The thirty years of Van Lang University are part of the larger picture of Vietnam's rapidly transforming education system. From a managerial mindset to a governance mindset, from quantity to quality, from closed-off to integrated – this is a journey initiated by the State's policies and now being realized at many levels.
Behind the numbers lies a spirit.
The success of Vietnamese universities today, including Van Lang University, is a testament to the value of policy, rather than the individual achievements of each institution. International rankings are not the ultimate goal, but rather milestones in the process of self-reflection, self-improvement, and self-affirmation of the educational system's capabilities. The policy of university autonomy, institutional reform, and international integration is proving its correctness and feasibility when implemented with responsibility, transparency, and creativity. More importantly, when a pioneering university demonstrates the effectiveness of the autonomy and integration policy, that success will inspire other universities to continue innovating and improving their governance models.
Based on this experience, the development of higher education in Vietnam needs to be carried out on a synchronized ecosystem, where universities, businesses, and management agencies connect, share responsibilities, and create an environment for creative learning and research, training human resources linked to social realities and the goals of green and sustainable development.
Building a "university-enterprise-state" ecosystem not only spreads knowledge and professional innovation, but also fosters a spirit of symbiosis and comprehensive cooperation, maximizing the overall strength of Vietnamese higher education in the era of global integration and competition.
Thus, rankings are just numbers, but behind those numbers lies an affirmation of a spirit: when the State creates the mechanisms, when institutions are empowered and held accountable, and when society participates in monitoring and recognition, then Vietnamese education can fully integrate on equal terms and reach regional prominence.
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/khi-xep-hang-khong-chi-la-con-so-ar986750.html
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