You stand in a packed ceremonial hall in Dong Xoai City, watching as education officials prepare to make an announcement that will reshape higher education in Vietnam’s Southeast region. The formal decree from the Ministry of Education lies ready on the podium, while expectant faces fill every seat. Today, June 20, 2025, marks the moment when Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education officially expands beyond its urban roots.
HCMUTE Branch Campus in Binh Phuoc Province Officially Established
The journey began with Decision No. 1576/QĐ-BGDĐT dated June 12, 2025, issued by the Minister of Education and Training. This pivotal decision authorized the establishment of the HCMUTE Branch Campus in Binh Phuoc Province, representing a significant milestone in the university’s strategy to expand its educational network and better serve regional communities.
However, the true catalyst emerged over a year earlier when educational leaders recognized a critical gap in the Southeast region’s capacity for high-quality technical education. As industrial development accelerated across Binh Phuoc Province, the demand for skilled engineers and technology specialists far outpaced local supply.
The ceremony drew an impressive assembly of national and provincial leaders. Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong – Member of the Central Party Committee and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs – attended alongside Mr. Le Tan Dung, Deputy Minister of Education and Training. Ms. Tran Tuyet Minh, Member of the Provincial Standing Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Binh Phuoc People’s Committee, represented local governance interests.
From HCMUTE, Dr. Truong Thi Hien – Party Secretary and Chairwoman of the University Council – joined Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hieu Giang, the university’s President. Their presence underscored the institutional commitment required to make this ambitious expansion successful.
Meanwhile, the ceremony’s formal proceedings revealed the depth of collaboration required for this achievement. Mr. Hoang Bach Viet, Deputy Director of the Department of Personnel Organization, announced the official decision on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Training, presenting congratulatory flowers to university leadership as cameras captured this historic moment.
Deputy Minister Le Tan Dung delivered remarks that transformed the day from ceremonial milestone to strategic mandate. He acknowledged HCMUTE’s efforts in expanding and enhancing higher education quality, emphasizing that the Binh Phuoc Branch establishment represented more than institutional growth—it signaled a crucial step toward improving human resource quality throughout the Southeast region.
The Deputy Minister’s speech outlined four key directions that would define the branch’s future impact.
His strategic framework included specific mandates:
- Strengthen organizational structure and human resource development
- Develop the branch into a reputable teacher training center in the Southeast
- Expand academic programs to meet local workforce demands
- Assess the potential for international education development in Binh Phuoc
Furthermore, Ms. Tran Tuyet Minh expressed the provincial government’s high expectations, viewing this development as a turning point in Binh Phuoc’s strategy for developing high-quality human resources. Her remarks connected the university expansion directly to regional economic development goals.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hieu Giang expressed gratitude to the Ministry and provincial leadership for their support, pledging the university’s full commitment to building a strong and impactful branch that contributes to local and regional socio-economic development.
The timeline revealing the path to establishment demonstrated remarkable coordination between multiple stakeholders. Beginning with the April 9, 2024 working session between Binh Phuoc People’s Committee and HCMUTE, the process accelerated through systematic milestones. By October 3, 2024, both parties had signed a cooperation agreement, followed quickly by official provincial approval on October 7.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Education and Training issued Decision No. 4199/QĐ-BGDĐT on December 26, 2024, approving the establishment policy. The Ministry of Finance contributed Decision No. 511/QĐ-BTC regarding asset transfer on February 28, 2025. Finally, on March 28, 2025, HCMUTE received the Land Use Right Certificate for 89,839.1 m² at Site 1 on National Road 14 in Dong Xoai City.
As the ceremony concluded, participants witnessed a symbolic ribbon-cutting that officially inaugurated the campus. This emblematic beginning embodied the collaboration spirit of “Connection – Innovation – Sustainable Development.” The Binh Phuoc People’s Committee also announced commendation decisions, recognizing collectives and individuals who contributed significantly to the project’s legal procedures and infrastructure preparation.
The establishment of this branch campus positions HCMUTE strategically within Vietnam’s competitive higher education landscape, building on achievements that include ranking 421–430 in Asia by QS Rankings and selection as one of five national key universities in engineering and technology. As Vietnam’s economy continues its rapid transformation, institutions like HCMUTE’s expanded network will prove essential for developing the skilled workforce that emerging industries demand. This Binh Phuoc campus represents more than educational expansion—it’s a strategic investment in the region’s economic future and technological capabilities.
