Twenty-one PhD graduates from prestigious international universities have returned to Vietnam to teach, including alumni from institutions ranked in the world’s top 10.

21 out of 22 successful applicants earned PhDs abroad

Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) has announced the results of its 2025 intake for a program aimed at attracting outstanding young scientists and leading experts.

In this first round of the year, the university received 51 PhD applications, of which 44 were deemed eligible. Following screening and interviews, 22 candidates were officially accepted. Of these, 21 hold PhDs from foreign institutions and have returned to teach at various VNU-HCM member universities.

Specifically, 11 PhDs joined the University of Technology, 7 joined the University of Science, 3 joined the University of Economics and Law, and 1 joined the University of Health Sciences.

Under the VNU350 program, during their first two years, these young researchers are granted a Category C research project with a budget of approximately USD 7,850. In the third year, they receive a Category B project worth up to USD 39,200. In the fourth year, they are supported with laboratory investment up to USD 392,000. By the fifth year, they are guided through procedures for national recognition of associate professorship.

For senior scientists, during their first two years, they receive a Category B project with a budget of up to USD 39,200. In the following years, they are eligible for lab investment funding up to USD 1.18 million and may establish strong research groups and lead high-level research projects. In addition to these incentives, they receive salaries and bonuses as regulated.

Top-tier credentials and dozens of international publications

Among the 21 returning PhDs, many graduated from globally renowned institutions such as the National University of Singapore, Seoul National University and Yonsei University (South Korea), the University of Texas at Austin (USA), RWTH Aachen University (Germany), Sorbonne Paris Nord University (France), and Keio University (Japan).

Six PhDs earned degrees from universities ranked among the world’s top 100. Several of them have authored dozens of international journal publications. One scholar has published as many as 72 papers.

Dr. Truong Vinh Lan, for instance, graduated from the National University of Singapore, ranked 8th globally according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. He has 28 international journal articles and has joined the University of Technology.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Truc Ly, a graduate of Seoul National University (ranked 31st), has authored 13 international papers and is now with the University of Health Sciences.

Other notable returning PhDs from QS top 100 universities include:

Dr. Vo Dat Nguyen, graduate of Yonsei University (ranked 56th), with 24 papers, now teaching at the University of Technology;
Dr. Nguyen Dinh Thi, from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (ranked 59th), with 10 papers, at the University of Science;
Dr. Truong Trung Kien, from the University of Texas at Austin (ranked 66th), with 36 papers, also at the University of Science;
Dr. Nguyen Thi Quynh Chi, from the University of Western Australia (ranked 77th), with 28 papers, now at the University of Economics and Law.

Other prolific researchers include:

Dr. Ho Hoang Phuoc, who graduated from RWTH Aachen (Germany) and the University of Bologna (Italy), with 72 international papers, now at the University of Technology;
Dr. Mai Thanh Tam, from Kyoto Institute of Technology (Japan), with 37 papers, at the University of Science;
Dr. Vo Truong Giang, from the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, with 29 papers, also at the University of Technology.

Le Huyen