# Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities

The Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities (HCMUSSH; Vietnamese: Trường Đại học Khoa học Xã hội và Nhân văn, Đại học Quốc gia Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh), or VNU-HCM University of Social Sciences and Humanities, is one of the members of Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City system (VNU-HCM).
It holds the 158th position in the QS University Rankings for Asia (QS 2021). VNU-HCM is also ranked in top 101–150 on QS Top Under 50 (QS 2021), in top 301 - 500 among the 786 higher education institutions from 78 countries by QS GER 2022, in top 601 - 800 on World's Universities for Social Sciences (THE 2022) and in top 193 of the world on the QS Graduate Employability Ranking (QS GER 2022).
HCMUSSH was formerly known as the College of Letters, University of Saigon (Vietnamese: Trường Đại học Văn khoa, Viện Đại học Sài Gòn). It is now the biggest research and training center in the field of social sciences and humanities in Southern Vietnam. In October 2021, HCMUSSH officially claimed their autonomy in the development strategy.

## History

The beginning
After the 1954 Geneva Accords, the French Preparatory College of Letters, an affiliate member of the University of Saigon, was founded in November 1955, marking the establishment of the university. On March 1, 1957, the College of Letters, University of Saigon was officially established.
In October 1975, there were various changes in objectives, curricula and programs. In April 1976, the College of Letters and the College of Science (which is now The University of Science) united, forming The University of Ho Chi Minh City. This was the biggest training and basic scientific research center in the South of Vietnam
The institution became the social sciences and humanities branch in The University of Ho Chi Minh City from 1976 to 1996. On March 30, 1996, under the Decision No. 1233/QĐ-BGD&ĐT of the Ministry of Education and Training, the College of Letters was separated from The University of Ho Chi Minh City, renamed University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

## Current status

The University of Social Sciences and Humanities has more than 890 faculty members and non-teaching staff. The percentage of the academic staff holding professorial titles or postgraduate degrees is 98.4%. There are more than 22,000 students enrolled in 28 undergraduate programs, 38 postgraduate programs and over 10 joint programs in collaboration with international partners.
The university is one of the two biggest institutions in the field of social sciences and humanities in Vietnam. The university is the pioneering institution in offering new academic programs to meet societal demands such as Vietnamese Studies, Oriental Studies, Anthropology, International Relations, Urban Studies, Spanish Linguistics and Literature, Italian Linguistics and Literature, and so on. In addition, the university is the leading institution nationwide in having over 300 registered international students — from Japan, South Korea, Laos, Cambodia, the United States, Singapore, Austria, Turkey, Thailand, and Australia — in degree programs and over 2,000 students enrolled in short-term courses.
The university has about 22,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in 28 undergraduate programs, 38 postgraduate programs and over 10 joint programs in collaboration with international partners.

## Training

As of February 2021, there were 897 officers and lecturers. Amongst the 522 lecturers, there are 44 professors and assistant professors, 211 doctors, 271 masters. Those who have a doctoral degree account for 48% of the total number.
There are hundreds of international lecturers teaching at USSH, VNU - HCM.

## Alumni

The university's notable alumni are some of Vietnam's leading politicians: - Mr. Truong Tan Sang (President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 2011–2016 tenure), - Ms. Truong My Hoa (Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 2022–2007 tenure), - Ms. Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 9/2018–10/2018), - Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, 2016-2021 tenure), - Mr. Vo Van Thuong (Member of the Politburo, Standing member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee's Secretariat, Head of Central Propaganda Department of the CPV, 2016–2021 tenure).
Among the alumni of the university are prominent artists that have made significant contributions for Vietnam Art and Literature: Tran Long An (Musician), Vu Duc Sao Bien (Musician), Ton That Lap (Musician), Duc Huy (Musician), Duong Thuy (Author), Ho Trung Dung (Singer), Hari Won (Singer, Actress), Tran Ngoc Lan Khue (Beauty queen, Model), Hoai Anh (Presenter), Tan Tai (Presenter), Dinh Ngoc Diep (Actress), Ribi Sachi (Model, Actress), Orange (Singer), etc.