QS World University Rankings (QS WUR), compiled by the UK education organisation Quacquarelli Symonds, is one of the world’s three most reputable university rankings. In Southeast Asia, 84 higher education institutions were ranked in 2025; Malaysia led with 28 institutions, followed by Indonesia (26), Thailand (13), Viet Nam (6), the Philippines (5), Singapore (4), and Brunei (2).
The Ministry of Education and Training said that, according to data released on November 6, 2024, Viet Nam had six higher education institutions in QS WUR 2025; and 17 universities ranked in the Asia University Rankings list, up two institutions compared to 2024. Two institutions made their first appearance in an international ranking: Vinh University and Ho Chi Minh City Open University. The ranked institutions were spread across six provinces and cities, including Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Can Tho, Hue, and Vinh.
Notably, in 2025, 10 institutions rose in the rankings, while five institutions were moved to lower positions. Although newly listed universities remain in lower bands, the average scores of Viet Nam’s higher education institutions increased across indicators, particularly in international collaboration and citations per paper. Viet Nam currently ranks 15th out of 25 Asian countries assessed by QS.
In the QS Asia University Rankings 2025, Viet Nam had 17 higher education institutions listed. Duy Tan University was the highest-ranked Vietnamese institution at 127th, followed by Viet Nam National University, Ha Noi (161st), and Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (184th). Among first-time entrants, Ho Chi Minh City Open University was placed in the 701–750 band, while Vinh University was in the 851–900 band.
In the QS subject rankings, Viet Nam had nine universities ranked across 25 subjects. Notably, three subjects entered the world’s top 100: Petroleum Engineering at Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City; Hospitality and Leisure Management at Duy Tan University; and Performing Arts at Van Lang University. These signals suggest that focused training quality and the strengths of several domestic higher education institutions are gradually being recognised internationally.
Alongside QS, the THE World University Rankings is a prestigious ranking that assesses higher education institutions globally based on research into a university’s core missions, including teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook.
In 2025, Viet Nam recorded its best-ever performance with nine higher education institutions ranked. The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City participated for the first time yet placed in the 501–600 band, the highest position among Viet Nam’s ranked institutions. Next were Duy Tan University and Ton Duc Thang University, both in the 601–800 band. Notably, for the first time, Ha Noi Medical University and Ho Chi Minh City Open University were also listed, in the 801–1,000 and 1,201–1,500 bands, respectively.
These results show that Viet Nam’s higher education is increasingly visible on the global higher education map. This achievement reflects the Party and State’s leadership and direction for education and science and technology, as demonstrated through major resolutions such as Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW and Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW.
Applying advanced assessment tools, building internal quality assurance systems, and shaping a quality culture have become drivers helping many universities enhance competitiveness. In particular, the universities’ own efforts, from expanding international cooperation, increasing scientific publications, and investing in facilities to innovating curricula, have contributed to practical change.
In 2025, Viet Nam recorded its best-ever performance with nine higher education institutions ranked.
Hoang Minh Son, Director of Viet Nam National University, Ha Noi, emphasised that to catch up with the world’s leading universities, alongside other Vietnamese universities, the university clearly recognises the need to make strong efforts to innovate governance models, improve the quality of training and research, expand international cooperation, and promote quality integration. Rankings are not the goal, but rather a tool and benchmark for comparison, learning, and improvement, thereby raising quality to international standards.
According to the Ministry of Education and Training, Viet Nam’s higher education ranking efforts still face several limitations: the number of ranked institutions remains small compared with the overall system; rankings are mainly in the mid and lower ranges; and there are not yet many universities in the region’s or the world’s leading groups. The quality of scientific research and international publications is uneven; international cooperation, technology transfer, and linkages with businesses remain limited in some places. In addition, university governance and resource investment have not met the stringent requirements of international ranking systems.
Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW of the Politburo sets out the requirement to develop higher education in the direction of quality, efficiency, and deeper integration. The positive results in the rankings provide an important basis for confidence that, with political determination and the support of the entire system, Viet Nam’s higher education will move closer to the strategic targets set out in the Resolution.
