Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy. It is a leading public medical university in Vietnam, operating under the administration of the Ministry of Health. Founded in 1947, it has grown into a premier institution for medical education, research, and clinical practice in the southern region. The university is renowned for training high-quality healthcare professionals and for its extensive network of affiliated teaching hospitals.

History

The institution was originally established in 1947 as the **École de Médecine de Hanoi** in Hanoi during the First Indochina War. Following the Geneva Accords in 1954, it was relocated to Saigon and renamed the **Faculty of Medicine of Saigon**, operating under Saigon University. After the Fall of Saigon in 1975 and the reunification of Vietnam, it was reorganized into its current form. Throughout the late 20th century, it expanded its academic programs and infrastructure, solidifying its role as a cornerstone of the national healthcare system under the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Academics

The university offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across multiple health science disciplines. Its core faculties include the **Faculty of Medicine**, **Faculty of Pharmacy**, and **Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology**, alongside schools for **Public Health** and **Nursing**. Degrees awarded include the Doctor of Medicine, Bachelor of Pharmacy, and numerous master's and doctoral programs. The curriculum integrates rigorous theoretical study with extensive clinical rotations at major hospitals like Cho Ray Hospital and the **University Medical Center**.

Campus and facilities

The main campus is located in **District 5** of Ho Chi Minh City, a central area historically associated with the city's medical community. Key facilities include modern lecture halls, specialized laboratories for **Pharmacology** and **Microbiology**, and advanced simulation centers for clinical skills training. The university also manages the **University Medical Center** on campus, which serves as a critical teaching hospital. Additional satellite facilities and research institutes support its growing academic and clinical missions.

Affiliated hospitals

The university's clinical training network is extensive, encompassing several major hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City. Primary teaching affiliates include the renowned Cho Ray Hospital, a national referral center, and the **University Medical Center**. Other key affiliated institutions are the **Hospital for Traumatology and Orthopaedics**, the **Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology**, and the **Children's Hospital 1**. These partnerships provide students with exposure to a vast array of medical specialties and high patient volumes under the guidance of experienced practitioners like those from the **Vietnam National Heart Institute**.

Research and international cooperation

Research is focused on priority areas such as **Infectious Diseases**, **Cardiovascular Medicine**, **Oncology**, and **Traditional Medicine**. The university hosts numerous research centers and collaborates with institutes like the **Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City**. It maintains active international partnerships with institutions such as the **University of Sydney**, **Harvard Medical School**, and **University of California, San Francisco**. These collaborations involve student exchanges, joint research projects, and participation in global health initiatives supported by the **World Health Organization**.

Notable alumni and faculty

The university counts many distinguished figures in Vietnamese medicine and public life among its graduates. Notable alumni include **Dr. Tran Dong A**, a pioneering surgeon, and **Professor Pham Song**, a former **Minister of Health (Vietnam)|Minister of Health**. Its faculty has included eminent scholars such as **Professor Dang Van Chung**, a leading figure in **Pharmacology**. Many graduates hold key leadership positions in major healthcare institutions across Vietnam and have contributed significantly to national public health campaigns.