On the afternoon of November 6, 2025, at Agribank’s headquarters, National Economics University (NEU) and the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) held a cooperation agreement signing ceremony to strengthen a relationship built over more than 20 years. The two sides share the goal of developing a high-quality workforce, helping improve their operational efficiency and reputation in the new era and contributing positively to the country’s socioeconomic development.

A view of the cooperation agreement signing ceremony between NEU and Agribank

Representing Agribank at the signing ceremony were To Huy Vu, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the Members’ Council; Pham Toan Vuong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Member of the Members’ Council and General Director; Le Xuan Trung, Member of the Members’ Council; along with Deputy General Directors; the Chief Accountant; the Director of the Staff Training School; representatives of the leadership of departments and centers at the headquarters; leaders of Agriculture Bank Insurance Joint Stock Corporation (ABIC); and leaders of Agribank’s Hoang Mai Branch.

Representing NEU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, President of NEU; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU; Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, Chair of the Scientific and Training Council; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Ha, Chair of the Advisory Council; along with representatives of the leadership of schools, departments, faculties, institutes and centers, and the University’s faculty, staff and students.

NEU and Agribank established their relationship in 2004 and have achieved positive results over more than 20 years. As the banking sector undergoes a significant shift toward digitalization and international integration, strengthening comprehensive cooperation between Agribank and NEU is essential. It brings mutual benefits and lays the foundation for a comprehensive, sustainable partnership, helping improve both sides’ operational efficiency and reputation in the new era. The cooperation will help Agribank forge closer links between training, research and banking practice, facilitate access to a high-quality workforce, and enhance its brand image within the academic and student communities. For NEU, the cooperation agreement opens opportunities to strengthen business engagement, support students’ practical training, internships and employment, and advance applied research in banking, digital transformation and sustainable development.

To Huy Vu, Chair of Agribank’s Members’ Council, speaks at the signing ceremony

Speaking at the signing ceremony, To Huy Vu, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of Agribank’s Members’ Council, emphasized that the event was not only a milestone in cooperation between a national financial institution and a renowned university, but also a symbol of the spirit of “state-owned enterprises supporting national education.” Both sides seek to advance the well-rounded development of Vietnamese people in pursuit of a knowledge-based, sustainable and humane economy.

Since its establishment more than 37 years ago, Agribank has consistently been a leading state-owned commercial bank, pioneering the implementation of the Party’s and the State’s monetary policies and maintaining close ties with the development of agriculture, farmers and rural areas—the mainstay of Vietnam’s economy. With total assets exceeding VND 2.2 quadrillion, outstanding investment loans of more than VND 1.9 quadrillion, and a network of over 2,200 branches and transaction offices across the country—from plains, mountainous areas and border regions to islands—Agribank has maintained its pioneering role as a bank serving communities, people and the country’s development. At the same time, Agribank has always placed people at the center of development, identifying them as the “most valuable capital” in every strategy. Agribank’s leadership understands that a bank may possess modern technology, an extensive system and strong financial resources, but only people’s knowledge, professional ethics and aspiration to contribute can create lasting vitality. For this reason, Agribank chose to cooperate with NEU—which has educated generations of outstanding managers, economists and financial experts for the country—as a strategic step in its journey of investing in knowledge and Vietnamese people.

“The cooperation agreement signed today between Agribank and NEU brings together the strengths of knowledge and practice, combining the University’s training and scientific research capabilities with Agribank’s experience, financial resources and extensive operational network. Both sides share the goal of developing a high-quality workforce that can adapt to the digital age, contributing to building a strong and prosperous Vietnam,” said the Chair of Agribank’s Members’ Council.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of NEU’s University Council, speaks at the signing ceremony

Sharing this view, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of NEU’s University Council, affirmed that the cooperation between NEU and Agribank not only connects two major brands but also brings their visions into alignment. Both sides seek to train and develop a high-quality workforce in banking and finance, strengthening the links between theory and practice and between the University and business.

Through this cooperation, NEU will work with Agribank on staff training and professional development, research and policy advice in finance and banking. Agribank, in turn, will provide opportunities for the University’s students to gain exposure to professional practice, develop their skills and realize their creative potential, while also collaborating with the University on numerous communications, social responsibility and digital transformation programs. This embodies the tripartite “University–State–Business” cooperation model—a strategic direction that NEU is actively pursuing to disseminate knowledge, promote innovation and contribute to the country’s sustainable development.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, President of NEU, and Pham Toan Vuong, General Director of Agribank, sign the cooperation agreement

Witnessed by the leaders of the two institutions, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, President of NEU, and Pham Toan Vuong, General Director of Agribank, signed the cooperation agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. The agreement demonstrates both sides’ determination to connect knowledge with practice and the University with business, pursuing the shared goals of workforce development, innovation and positive contributions to the country’s socioeconomic development.

Leaders of the two institutions exchange gifts and pose for commemorative photos

The cooperation agreement signing ceremony between NEU and Agribank not only marks a new stage in a partnership spanning more than two decades, but also affirms both sides’ strategic vision of connecting knowledge with practice and aligning training with society’s needs. It also opens a new chapter in cooperation between the University and business, with the goal of developing a high-quality workforce that can adapt to digital transformation and international integration, contributing to building a knowledge-based, sustainable and prosperous economy for Vietnam.

Additional photos from the ceremony:

Article and photos: Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.