Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities

Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities
Name	Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities
Established	1955
Type	Public
Affiliation	Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City
Rector	Ngô Thị Phương Lan
City	Ho Chi Minh City
Country	Vietnam
Website	hcmussh.edu.vn

Contents

History
Academics
Campus and facilities
Organization and administration
Notable people
See also

Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities. It is a leading public university in Vietnam, operating as a member institution of Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City. The university specializes in the research and teaching of social sciences and humanities, serving as a key national center for these disciplines. Its origins trace back to the founding of the University of Saigon and it has played a significant role in the intellectual and cultural development of southern Vietnam.

History

The institution's foundations were laid in 1955 with the establishment of the University of Saigon, which incorporated faculties from the former Indochina University. Following the Fall of Saigon in 1975 and the reunification of Vietnam, the university was reorganized. In 1977, the social sciences and humanities faculties were consolidated to form the University of Ho Chi Minh City. A major restructuring occurred in 1996 when it became a constituent university of the newly formed Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, adopting its current name. Throughout its evolution, it has maintained its core mission from the University of Saigon while aligning with the national education system under the Ministry of Education and Training.

Academics

The university offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs through its numerous faculties and institutes. Key academic units include the Faculty of History, Faculty of Literature and Linguistics, Faculty of Philosophy, and the Faculty of International Relations. It is renowned for its research institutes such as the Institute for Vietnamese Studies and the Institute for Environment and Resources. The university grants degrees including Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy across its disciplines. It maintains active scholarly exchanges and partnerships with institutions like the University of Paris and Harvard University, contributing significantly to fields like archaeology, sociology, and oriental studies.

Campus and facilities

The main campus is located in District 5 of Ho Chi Minh City, at 10-12 Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, a historically significant area in central Saigon. This campus houses the central administration, most faculties, and the main library, which holds extensive collections on social science and humanities research. The university also operates a second, modern campus in Thủ Đức city, which hosts several research institutes and graduate programs. Key facilities include specialized laboratories for anthropology and linguistics, multimedia centers, and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities Publishing House.

Organization and administration

As a member university of Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, it operates under the overarching governance of that system. The university is led by a rector, currently Ngô Thị Phương Lan, and a board of presidents. It is structured into over 20 academic faculties and research institutes, each with its own dean or director. Key administrative bodies include the University Council and the Science and Training Council, which oversee academic standards and research direction. The institution also collaborates closely with governmental bodies like the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences on national research projects.

Notable people

The university's faculty and alumni include many distinguished scholars, writers, and public figures. Notable academics include historian Phan Huy Lê, linguist Cao Xuân Hạo, and philosopher Trần Đức Thảo. Among its alumni are writer Nguyễn Nhật Ánh, poet Bùi Giáng, and former Foreign Minister Nguyễn Dy Niên. The university has also educated prominent political figures such as Trương Tấn Sang, former President of Vietnam, and Trương Hòa Bình, former Vice President of Vietnam.