Establishment history

Lac Hong University (LHU) is the first university established in Dong Nai, an industrial province located in Vietnam’s Southern Key Economic Zone, which includes Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Dong Nai has been home to numerous industrial zones, some of which were established even before 1975. During the 1990s, in line with the Party and State’s policies on industrialization and modernization - particularly through the attraction of foreign direct investment - Dong Nai witnessed significant expansion in both the number and scale of industrial parks.

 

The growing demand for skilled human resources to serve the province’s industrial development, as well as the broader needs of the Southern Key Economic Zone, led to a strong desire among local authorities and residents for the establishment of a university in Dong Nai.

 

Between 1993 and 1994, provincial leaders recognized the urgent need to build a university in Bien Hoa city to timely meet the region’s socio-economic development needs. The 5th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, along with subsequent congresses, passed resolutions supporting the establishment of a university in Bien Hoa. These decisions laid the foundation for the early formation of a university in Dong Nai.

 

There were various suggestions regarding the name of the University. Ultimately, it was agreed that a university tasked with training human resources for the nation must instill in its students a sense of origin and national pride. Students should be proud to be descendants of Lac Hong and strive to live up to the words of President Ho Chi Minh “The Hung Kings founded this nation, we must defend it together”. For this reason, the institution was named Lac Hong University.

 

On September 29, 1995, the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee officially recognized the University’s Founding Council. On the same day, Chairwoman Tran Thi Minh Hoang submitted a formal request to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Education and Training to establish LHU.

While awaiting the Prime Minister’s approval, a Permanent Board of the Founding Council was formed, led by Assoc. Prof. Doan Van Dien. The Board was tasked with completing all necessary preparations to ensure the university would be ready for operation once the official decision was issued.

On June 2, 1997, the Minister of Education and Training, Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Quan, signed a decision recognizing the Founding Council of Lac Hong University, chaired by Mr. Nguyen Trung Phuong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee. Subsequently, on September 9, 1997, the Minister issued Statement No. 8140/TCCB, proposing the official establishment of LHU to the Government.

On September 24, 1997, Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet signed Decision No. 790/TTg, officially establishing LHU, located in Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province. On October 17, 1997, the Minister of Education and Training, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Hien, signed Decision No. 3261/GD-ĐT, recognizing the University’s Board of Trustees, chaired by Mr. Nguyen Trung Phuong. On October 31, 1997, the Minister issued Decision No. 3463/GD-ĐT, appointing Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doan Van Dien as the first Rector of LHU.

 

The headquarters of LHU - Campus 1

 

On November 13, 1997, under Decision No. 3678/GD-ĐT, the Minister of Education and Training authorized LHU to conduct its first student admission, offering the following initial academic programs: Information Technology, Electronics and Telecommunications, Civil Engineering, and Economics, with three specializations: Business Administration, Accounting and Finance, Tourism and Trade. New majors were added in the following years. Presently, the University offers programs in more than 30 different disciplines.

 

LHU is a multidisciplinary educational institution offering programs at various levels, integrating training, scientific research, and technology transfer across fields such as engineering and technology, economics, and social sciences and humanities. The University is committed to providing high-quality learning conditions for both training and retraining programs. At the same time, it plays a vital role in supplying the labor market - especially in Dong Nai Province and nationwide - with a well-qualified and competent workforce.

LHU directly supplies human resources to industrial parks, export processing zones, and neighboring economic areas within and around Dong Nai Province. To meet the specific needs of these sectors, the University has designed its training programs following a 60% theoretical instruction and 40% practical application and self-study model.

Beyond workforce training, LHU is also a nurturing ground for young talents. Students who achieve Good academic standing or higher are required to engage in scientific research. The University firmly believes that every student possesses unique potential, and it is LHU’s responsibility to awaken and develop that potential through active participation in research. Thanks to this practice-oriented and research-integrated approach, most students are able to secure employment immediately after graduation.

LHU also maintains close ties with factories and industrial parks, facilitating regular knowledge exchange and enabling professional development for both faculty and staff. This engagement supports the University's commitment to lifelong learning, ensuring that lecturers, staff, and students alike continuously update their knowledge and skills in line with industry demands.