Van Lang University

Van Lang University, founded on January 27, 1995, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is recognized as one of the first private higher education institutions in Southern Vietnam. Named after the ancient Vietnamese kingdom, Van Lang embodies traditional Vietnamese values and a deep sense of patriotism. The university has steadily grown over the past decades, establishing itself as one of the largest and most prestigious private universities in the country, attracting students from across Vietnam and internationally [1, 7].

With a core mission to build capabilities and unlock the full potential of its learners, Van Lang University aims to empower individuals to take leadership in their chosen fields and create an inspirational impact on society. The university's educational philosophy centers on \"A Holistic, Lifelong, Ethical and Impactful Learning Experience,\" emphasizing well-rounded development beyond just academic knowledge [7].

Van Lang University continuously strives to enhance its educational quality and align with international standards. It offers a wide array of programs across various fields, including undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees, and is committed to fostering a global learning environment through international partnerships and exchange programs [7, 9].

Van Lang University was officially established on January 27, 1995, by the Prime Minister's Decision No. 71/TTG. The university held its first opening ceremony on September 17, 1995, welcoming 4,569 students across its initial majors. In February 1996, the provisional Trade Union Executive Committee was recognized, marking an early step in the university's organizational development [6].

Key milestones in the university's history include the acquisition of its first campus at 45 Nguyen Khac Nhu Street in District 1 in November 1999, and the inauguration of Campus 2 in April 2003, which significantly expanded its facilities. The university underwent a significant transition on October 14, 2015, changing its model from a public to a private institution by Decision No. 1755/QD-TTG [6].

In recent years, Van Lang University has achieved notable accreditations, including the Certificate of Accreditation of Educational Institutions in 2018 and national quality accreditation for numerous majors. The university has also made significant strides in international recognition, being ranked among Asia's top universities and receiving international quality accreditations like FIBAA, reflecting its continuous efforts to enhance academic quality and global standing [5, 7, 9].

Van Lang University is structured into seven main faculty groups, offering a diverse range of over 60 undergraduate and 14 graduate majors, along with doctoral programs. These faculty groups cover a broad spectrum of disciplines, including Design and Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities, and Economics, Business & Management [7, 10].

Prominent faculties include the Faculty of Business Administration, which aims to train students who bring significant value to society, and the Faculty of Environment, which focuses on training mindful and visionary environmental engineers and managers. The Van Lang School of Technology encompasses various engineering and IT disciplines, while the Faculties of Health Sciences offer programs such as Pharmacy, Nursing, Dentistry, and Medicine [2, 5, 10].

The university also features faculties dedicated to Architecture and Tourism & Hospitality Management, ensuring a comprehensive educational experience. Many programs are benchmarked against international standards, and the university emphasizes both professional knowledge and the development of research mindset and global experiences for its students [7, 10].