The National Economics University was established under Decree No. 678-TTg dated January 25, 1956 with the initial name of the School of Economics and Finance. At that time, the School was placed within the People’s University system of Viet Nam under the direct authority of the Prime Minister.

On May 22, 1958, the Prime Minister issued Decree No. 252-TTg to change the name of the University to the University of Economics and Finance under the Ministry of Education.

In January 1965, the University was once again renamed the University of Economics and Planning.

On October 22, 1985, the Minister of Universities and Vocational Secondary Schools (now the Ministry of Education and Training) issued Decision No. 1443/QD-KH to change the name of the University to the National Economics University.

On November 15, 2024, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 1386/QD-TTg on converting the National Economics University into the National Economics University.The National Economics University has been entrusted by the Government with three core mandates:

To provide advisory services on macroeconomic policy;
To deliver undergraduate and postgraduate education in economics, management, and business administration;
To train managerial personnel for enterprises across all sectors of the economy.
Over nearly 70 years of establishment and development, the National Economics University has consistently maintained its position as:

A leading center in Vietnam for education and professional development in economic management and business administration. The University has trained generations of well-qualified, dynamic graduates who are highly adaptable to the market economy and capable of adopting new technologies. Many alumni currently hold key leadership positions within the Communist Party, the National Assembly, the Government, and major enterprises.

A prominent center for economic research serving education, socio-economic policy formulation for the Party and the State, ministries, local authorities, and business strategy development for enterprises. The University has undertaken numerous major research projects in economics and business, many of which were directly commissioned by the Government. It also maintains active research collaborations with universities, research institutes, and international organizations worldwide.

A center for consultancy and knowledge transfer in economic management and business administration. The University has made significant contributions through advisory services to central and local government bodies, as well as to enterprises. Its extensive impact on Vietnam’s reform and development process has been strengthened through close partnerships with public and private sector institutions.

The National Economics University has established academic exchange and research cooperation with leading universities and research institutes in countries such as Russia, China, Bulgaria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Australia, Japan, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Thailand, and others.

The University also maintains strong partnerships with international organizations, including SIDA (Sweden), UNFPA, CIDA (Canada), JICA (Japan), the Government of the Netherlands, UK ODA, UNDP, the World Bank, the Ford Foundation (USA), and the Hanns Seidel Foundation (Germany).

By 2030, the National Economics University aims to become a fully autonomous institution, a pioneer in digital transformation, with a modern, intelligent, and professional governance system, and a strong standing in international university rankings.