USAID is supporting Vietnam’s efforts to modernize its higher education system. In partnership with U.S. higher education institutions and the private sector, USAID is helping Vietnamese universities to improve academic quality and enhance institutional governance to serve as modern models of higher education and drive Vietnam’s socio-economic development. With the opportunity for reforms opened up by the 2019 Revised Law on Higher Education, USAID is assisting public and private universities in Vietnam to improve institutional governance and sustainability, implement curriculum and teaching reform, advance technology and innovation, and strengthen partnerships and industry linkages. Together with the Government of Vietnam, USAID is driving institutional and systemic higher education reforms that benefit more than 150,000 students by better equipping them with the skills necessary for a competitive global market. USAID’s investments in higher education underscore the United States’ commitment to the future of Vietnam and the enduring nature of the U.S.-Vietnam partnership.
PROJECTS
- Building University-Industry Learning and Development through Innovation and Technology (BUILD-IT) Alliance leverages diverse government, industry and academic partners to collaborate on technology and engineering education and produce graduates who can lead inclusive, technology-based growth. BUILD-IT focuses on three major areas: Leadership and strategy towards university autonomy; Academic program quality and accreditation; and Applied project-based curriculum implementation. [2015 - 2023, $8.7 million]
- Improving Access, Curriculum and Teaching in Medical Education and Emerging Diseases (IMPACT-MED) Alliance works to modernize Vietnam’s medical education curriculum and teaching approaches to produce graduates with the skills and knowledge to address the country’s health challenges and modernize its health care sector. The Alliance partners with the Ministry of Health, Vietnamese medicine and pharmacy universities, the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, the Ho Chi Minh City Infection Control Society, and leading international health technology companies to deliver training in modern teaching methods; promote the use of technology and integration of clinical content; develop university leadership for continuous innovation; improve access and outcomes for socially and economically disadvantaged students; and integrate interdisciplinary education in Vietnam’s medical schools. [2016 - 2022, $8.7 million]
- Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) is a model in Vietnam’s drive to reform its higher education system - it is the country’s first fully independent non-profit university. USAID supports FUV to advance its goal of achieving international accreditation; develop executive education and other programs; and advance shared value partnerships with Vietnam’s technology, manufacturing, and service industry sectors. [2020 - 2024, $21.1 million]
- Partnership for Higher Education Reform (PHER) centers around four key programs —Governance Excellence, Teaching and Learning Excellence, Research Excellence, and University-Industry Linkages — and supports the three largest Vietnamese universities: Vietnam National University-Hanoi, Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, and the University of Danang, with higher education policy advocacy and reform, technology and digitization, and gender empowerment as critical, cross-cutting tactics for success and long-term sustainability. [2021- 2026, $14.2 million]
Photo Albums
- MOU Signing between USAID and Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training
- Launch of USAID's Partnership for Higher Education Reform Project
- USAID Helps Train Medical Students on COVID-19 Care and Treatment
- Launch of USAID’s Two-Year Grant to Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV)
- Maker to Entrepreneur: Venture Demo Day in Ho Chi Minh City
- USAID/Vietnam Mission Director Visits Fulbright University Vietnam
- Opening of Can Tho University Maker Innovation Space
- U.S. Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink and U.S. Consul General Mary Tarnowka visit the Maker Innovation Space in Danang
- USAID Vietnam Mission Director Michael Greene visits Fablab in Danang
- Launch of the smart classroom in Ho Chi Minh City
- USAID Mission Director visits Danang University of Technology
- USAID Supports Social Work Education Enhancement Program in Vietnam
- USAID, San Jose State University and Cisco Systems sign a memorandum of understanding for the Social Work Education Enhancement Program
- Higher Engineering Education Alliance Program Conference, Can Tho (March 19-20, 2013)
- Scholarships provided under Higher Engineering Alliance Program for Female Students in Ho Chi Minh City
- Higher Engineering Education Alliance Program Partner Technical Colleges, Ho Chi Minh City
- Graduation ceremony for Kon Tum teachers completing USAID-funded trainings

USAID/Vietnam