Hong Duc University

Hong Duc University (HDU) is a public, multi-disciplinary higher education institution located in Thanh Hoa City, Vietnam. Established on September 24, 1997, it was formed through the merger of three colleges: College of Education, College of Economics - Technology, and Medical College of Thanh Hoa [1, 2]. It operates under the supervision of the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province and the Ministry of Education and Training [1, 2].

HDU is recognized for its broad academic offerings, providing undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs across diverse fields such as education, social sciences, natural sciences, economics, engineering, agriculture, and health [5]. The university is committed to fostering high-quality human resources adaptable to labor market changes, and it emphasizes scientific research and technology transfer to support socio-economic development in Thanh Hoa province and Vietnam [4, 5].

With a vision to become a smart and innovative university by 2045, Hong Duc University aims to be a strong scientific research and training center, integrating with advanced universities regionally and internationally [4]. Its core values—Talent, Innovation, Responsibility, and Integration—guide its educational philosophy of being comprehensive, experiential, and practical [4].

Hong Duc University was officially established on September 24, 1997, by Decision No. 797/1997/QD-TTg issued by the Prime Minister [1, 2]. This significant event marked the creation of the first university in Thanh Hoa province. The university was named after the prosperous era of Emperor Lê Thánh Tông, a highly regarded figure in Vietnam's feudal history [1, 2].

The formation of HDU involved the strategic amalgamation of three pre-existing tertiary institutions: the College of Education, the College of Economics and Technology, and the Thanh Hoa Medical College, each with over four decades of training experience [1, 2]. This merger laid the foundation for Hong Duc University to operate under a new, multi-disciplinary public university model within the Vietnamese higher education system [1, 2].

Since its inception, Hong Duc University has continuously developed its facilities, now spanning a total area of 478,000 m2 [1]. The institution has consistently worked to affirm its vital role in academic training, scientific research, and technology transfer, significantly contributing to the socio-economic advancement of both Thanh Hoa province and the broader nation [4].

Hong Duc University is organized into numerous academic faculties, offering programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels [5]. Key areas include the Faculty of Education, focusing on teacher training, and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, which encompasses disciplines such as Vietnamese Studies, History, and Sociology [5].

The university also features robust scientific programs through its Faculty of Natural Sciences, covering Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Environmental Science [5]. Additionally, the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration provides comprehensive education in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance and Banking, Economics, and Marketing [5].

Furthermore, the Faculty of Engineering and Technology offers specialized programs in Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, and Civil Engineering [5]. Hong Duc University also includes faculties for Agriculture and Forestry, Medicine and Health Sciences, Law, and Foreign Languages, showcasing its comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach [5].