Deputy PM welcomes Hong Kong university’s expansion plans in Vietnam

Receiving Professor Hongbin Cai, head of HKU Business School, at Government headquarters in Hanoi on October 20, the Deputy PM highlighted high-quality human resources development as one of Vietnam’s three strategic breakthroughs. He also pointed to the Politburo’s Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW, which promotes cooperation and foreign investment in higher education.

Chau welcomed the school’s plan to establish a base in Hanoi, emphasising the importance of close and sustainable education cooperation. He noted that the government has put in place a more open investment environment and recently issued Decree No. 361/2026/ND-CP, setting out conditions for foreign higher education institutions to establish branches in Vietnam.

To move the proposal forward, the Deputy PM called on HKU Business School to consider a phased approach. In the initial stage, the school could launch joint training programmes with reputable Vietnamese universities or pilot courses in selected fields. This would help assess demand and gradually expand enrolment before proceeding with the necessary procedures and investment in a fully fledged campus, in line with the proposed roadmap.

Beyond establishing a presence in Hanoi, the Deputy PM encouraged the school and its partners to broaden academic links with Vietnam. Areas for cooperation could include sending lecturers to teach and supervise doctoral candidates in Vietnam; conducting joint research and co-authoring scientific papers; commercialising research outcomes; creating preferential opportunities for outstanding Vietnamese students and young scientists to study at HKU; expanding scholarships; and helping train Vietnamese lecturers and education managers.

He also highlighted fields where the school’s strengths align with Vietnam’s development needs, including artificial intelligence, data science, semiconductors, green finance, financial technology, business administration and public health.

HKU Business School has already contributed to education cooperation through its representative office in Vietnam, established in 2022. The office has helped connect Vietnamese students with more than US$4.7 million in scholarships and supported training in AI management skills and digital transformation for senior Vietnamese National Assembly delegations.

During the meeting, Professor Hongbin Cai outlined the school’s development, educational strategy and research capabilities, including its efforts to attract talented academics from around the world. He expressed the school’s interest in expanding its activities in Vietnam.

The Deputy PM praised the school’s vision, international network and achievements, expressing confidence that stronger cooperation could create further opportunities in education, research and high-quality human resource development.

Vietnam, Switzerland to turn education, sci-tech into cooperation focus

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Swiss President Guy Parmelin agreed to turn education – training, science – technology, and innovation into the focus of the two countries’ cooperation during their meeting in Hanoi on October 17.