On the afternoon of October 9, 2025, leaders of National Economics University (NEU) welcomed a delegation from Boise State University (BSU), USA, as part of the celebration of 30 years of cooperation and development between the two universities.

The event marked an important milestone in a strong and effective partnership, recognizing three decades of close ties, mutual support, and shared achievements between NEU and Boise State University, while further expanding and strengthening their strategic partnership toward sustainable development in the future.

The meeting between NEU and representatives of Boise State University, USA, took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Representing NEU at the event 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; Dr. Dao Thanh Tung, Head of the Department of International Cooperation; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education; and faculty and staff of the University.

The Boise State University delegation included Prof. Dr. Nancy K. Napier, Honorary Lecturer and Senior Advisor to the EMBA Program; Prof. Dr. Brian O’Morrow, Executive Director of the EMBA Program; Dr. David Hunt, Dean of the Faculty of Marketing; and lecturers. Representing the MBA alumni community in Vietnam was Dau Thuy Ha, Chair of OMT Company.

Boise State University, USA, was the first American university to establish a partnership with NEU, before the two countries officially normalized diplomatic relations in 1995. Through three cohorts of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), which aimed to jointly train personnel in market economics, the two universities worked together to train 80 NEU lecturers who graduated and received MBA degrees from Boise State. Many alumni of the program now hold key leadership positions and are leading professors and associate professors at NEU.

At the start of the program, representatives of the two universities met, exchanged views, and recalled memorable moments from their three-decade partnership in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The gifts of appreciation exchanged between NEU and Boise State University expressed profound gratitude and symbolized the friendship and strong cooperation between the two leading educational institutions over three decades.

Representatives of the two universities exchange gifts of appreciation to mark 30 years of cooperation and development.

The program continued on the grounds of NEU’s D2 lecture building, where representatives of the two universities, MBA program alumni, and faculty, staff, and students of the Institute of International Education attended a commemorative tree-planting ceremony. The activity symbolized the strong and enduring partnership between NEU and Boise State University over the past 30 years.

At the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the NEU University Council, and Prof. Dr. Nancy K. Napier, who laid the foundation for the partnership between the two universities, both affirmed that cooperation between NEU and Boise State University would continue to grow strongly in the coming years, not only in training, teaching, and scientific research, but also in fostering a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship within both academic communities.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho and Prof. Dr. Nancy K. Napier discuss the partnership between the two universities.

Next, witnessed by a large gathering of faculty, staff, and students from both universities, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho and Prof. Dr. Nancy K. Napier ceremonially unveiled a commemorative plaque and watered a camphor tree, known as “Da huong – Long nao,” a species symbolizing longevity, sustainable development, and faith in the future.

The tree planted today will grow over the years, just like the partnership between NEU and Boise State University—a relationship founded on trust, strengthened by friendship, and nurtured by the two institutions’ shared vision for knowledge and development.

Representatives of the two universities jointly unveil the commemorative plaque and water the camphor tree, known as “Da huong – Long nao,” symbolizing sustainable development and faith in the future.

Also during the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education and one of the first alumni of the Boise State MBA Program in Vietnam, shared heartfelt reflections on his learning journey, experiences, and work alongside the University to build and develop cooperative programs between the two institutions. He also expressed his pride in witnessing the partnership continually grow, expand, and extend its value across generations.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, the alumni community of the Boise State (BSU) MBA Program in Vietnam continues to spread a spirit of innovation and creativity, serving as a bridge that opens opportunities for cooperation, academic exchange, and global development for younger generations in both countries.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education, reflects on his learning journey and ties to the Boise State MBA Program.

At the end of the program, the delegation visited the “Boise Corner” exhibition space in Building D2, which displays photographs, memorabilia, and memorable moments from more than three decades of cooperation between NEU and Boise State University—from visits and exchanges by EMBA student delegations to working visits by leaders of the two universities. The exhibition offers a vivid journey through memories, retracing the strong, effective, and meaningful partnership built over more than 30 years of close ties and development between these two pioneering universities in Vietnam and the United States.

Faculty and staff from the two universities join students from NEU’s Institute of International Education for a commemorative photo marking 30 years of cooperation.

Representatives of the two universities pose for a commemorative photo at the Boise Corner exhibition space in Building D2.

The celebration of 30 years of cooperation between NEU and Boise State University was a success, opening a new phase of cooperation toward the goal of global, innovative, and sustainable educational development.

The camphor tree, known as “Da huong – Long nao,” planted on the University’s campus is not only a symbol of strong cooperation but also a testament to the friendship, trust, and aspiration to reach further shared by the two universities—a relationship that will continue to take root, flourish, and spread its value for many years to come.

Additional photos from the event:

Article and photos: Institute of International Education and 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.