The Government issued a new decree, major changes at 2 national universities.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long has just signed and issued Decree No. 201/2025/ND-CP stipulating the functions, tasks and powers of national universities, replacing Decree No. 186/2013/ND-CP. This new Decree will take effect from September 1, 2025.

Accordingly, from September 1, national universities will be public higher education institutions managed by the Ministry of Education and Training , have legal status, have their own accounts and use seals with the national emblem.

The functions of national universities are to provide training at all levels of highereducation , conduct scientific research and transfer high-quality multidisciplinary and multi-field technology; have a number of leading training fields in the country and are highly ranked in the world.

Regarding personnel work, the national university will carry out personnel work procedures to report to the Ministry of Education and Training to submit to the Prime Minister for appointment and dismissal of the chairman of the national university council, director of the national university, and deputy director of the national university according to Party regulations and relevant laws.

National universities submit to the Ministry of Education and Training for recognition of the national university council according to Party regulations and relevant laws; Decide and report to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Education and Training on the addition and replacement of members of the national university council.

Regarding finance and assets, the national university is a level I budget unit assigned by the Prime Minister to budget estimates; and performs unified management of budget allocation and assignment to member units, units under and directly under the national university.

The National University approves the financial autonomy plan of member units, units under and directly under the National University according to the Government's regulations on the financial autonomy mechanism of public service units.

National universities also have many other tasks and powers, such as being accountable to the Government, Prime Minister, ministries, branches, learners and society for the activities of national universities within the scope of assigned functions, tasks and powers.

When necessary, the national university reports to the Prime Minister on issues related to the operation and development of the national university.

Previously, Decree 186/2013/ND-CP stipulated that the Prime Minister appoints and dismisses the director and deputy director of a national university. A national university has a high degree of autonomy in its training, scientific research, finance, international relations and organizational structure according to its own regulations and operations and those of its member universities and has a specific financial mechanism prescribed by the Prime Minister.

Currently, the country has two national universities: Hanoi National University and Ho Chi Minh City National University.