On the morning of April 1, 2025, National Economics University (NEU) hosted a meeting between a U.S. higher education delegation and representatives of several Vietnamese universities.

The event was part of the International Academic Partnership Program (IAPP), organized by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) in coordination with the U.S. Mission to Vietnam and the U.S. Institute of International Education (IIE), marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States (1995–2025).

An overview of the meeting between the U.S. higher education delegation and Vietnamese universities

External guests attending the program included Mary Beth Polley, Counselor for Cultural and Educational Affairs at the U.S. Embassy; and Nguyen Tien Dung, Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department, MOET. Representing NEU were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President; Prof. Dr. Do Thi Hai Ha, Rector of the College of Economics and Public Management; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ta Van Loi, Rector of the College of Business; Dr. Dao Thanh Tung, Head of the Department of International Cooperation; and leadership representatives from colleges, departments, faculties, institutes, and centers. Also attending were more than 40 senior leaders from 21 renowned U.S. universities and representatives of 15 Vietnamese universities.

Mary Beth Polley, Counselor for Cultural and Educational Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, delivers remarks

Speaking at the meeting, Mary Beth Polley, Counselor for Cultural and Educational Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, said that, after a busy and meaningful day working with Vietnamese Government agencies, the U.S. education delegation had the opportunity to meet with representatives of 15 Vietnamese universities and discuss creative and innovative ways to cooperate.

According to Mary Beth Polley, educational cooperation between Vietnam and the United States has long been promoted through a number of programs, providing both sides with many opportunities for exchange and cooperation and fostering increasingly deep mutual understanding.

The U.S. education delegation’s visit to Vietnam aimed to learn about Vietnam’s higher education system and explore opportunities for cooperation and academic program exchanges with Vietnamese universities, particularly in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), technology, science, and healthcare.

“Focusing on cooperation with Southeast Asian partners, including Vietnam, is one of our priorities. Vietnam is a very dynamic developing country that values education. We see many opportunities today to develop partnerships in education and training,” Mary Beth Polley emphasized.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, delivers remarks

At the meeting, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, noted that the U.S. universities visiting Vietnam on this occasion are all leading institutions in the United States, a country with one of the highest-quality education systems in the world. Many of these universities have strengths in information technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Although NEU specializes in economics and finance, it is also making some changes as it develops.

NEU is also investing in developing its information technology academic programs. The University therefore highly values the opportunity for exchanges to explore further cooperation with the 21 U.S. universities visiting Vietnam on this occasion.

Discussing directions for cooperation between NEU and U.S. universities, the Vice President of NEU said that the University has extensive experience in educational cooperation with many countries, including the United Kingdom, and that this model could be applied to educational cooperation with the United States in the future. Specifically, under the current joint academic program model, a 2+2 arrangement could allow students to study for two years in Vietnam and two years at a university in the partner country; alternatively, a 3+1 arrangement would involve three years in Vietnam and one year at a university in the partner country. A 4+0 model could also be an option, while still providing foreign certification and degrees.

However, as information technology systems develop in the future, online study with U.S. universities could be considered, with professors based in the United States teaching and interacting online with students in Vietnam. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, expressed his hope that U.S. universities would open campuses in Vietnam and partner with Vietnamese universities. He also emphasized that, if realized, these ideas would help strengthen cooperation in education and training between the United States and Vietnam, reinforce this important pillar of Vietnam–U.S. cooperation, and further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Dr. Allan E. Goodman, President Emeritus of the Institute of International Education (IIE), delivers remarks

Dr. Allan E. Goodman, President Emeritus of the Institute of International Education (IIE), shared that throughout the 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the United States and Vietnam have consistently prioritized cooperation in education and training, making it one of the important pillars of bilateral relations.

The United States currently hosts more than one million international students, including over 30,000 from Vietnam. Connecting leading universities in both countries will open up new opportunities for study, research, and teaching for students and scholars in both countries.

Addressing recent changes in U.S. education policy, Dr. Allan E. Goodman affirmed that the United States has always maintained a policy of welcoming international students for study and research and will continue to do so. Students and PhD candidates with any questions about procedures related to studying in the United States can seek information from education advisers at the U.S. Embassy.

Delegates attend the meeting and discussions

More than 40 senior leaders from 21 renowned U.S. universities and representatives of 15 Vietnamese universities participated in the discussions at NEU. This was part of the visit by the higher education delegation, representing renowned public and private educational institutions across 17 U.S. states, to learn about Vietnam’s higher education system through meetings with stakeholders in government and the private sector.

Some images from the program:

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.