In the first round (March 2024), 33 applicants applied, with 14 being accepted. Among the successful candidates, the University of Technology, University of Science, University of Economics and Law, and An Giang University each recruited two PhDs. The University of Health Sciences recruited four, while the International University and the Center for Nanostructured and Molecular Materials Research each selected one.

In the second round (June 2024), 20 PhDs applied and 8 were hired. The University of Science recruited five, while the University of Technology, the University of Information Technology, and the Institute of Nanotechnology each recruited one.

In the third round (September 2024), 9 PhDs applied and 5 were accepted, with four joining the University of Technology and one the Center for Nanostructured and Molecular Materials Research.

In the latest round for 2025, 39 PhDs applied - 37 of whom graduated from foreign institutions - but results have not yet been announced.

The VNU350 initiative aims to attract 350 PhDs to join the university. Under this program, young scientists receive significant support: in the first two years, they are funded for a Category C research project with a maximum budget of 200 million VND (approx. 7,860 USD). In the third year, they receive a Category B project worth up to 1 billion VND (approx. 39,300 USD). In the fourth year, they are granted up to 10 billion VND (approx. 393,000 USD) to establish a research laboratory. By the fifth year, they are guided through the process of applying for national-level associate professorship recognition.

Leading scientists are offered even more: in the first two years, they receive a Category B project worth up to 1 billion VND. In subsequent years, they can access up to 30 billion VND (approx. 1.18 million USD) for lab development, are supported in forming strong research teams, and are assisted in applying for research grants across various levels, among other incentives.

Top-tier talent recruited

Among the first three recruitment rounds, VNU-HCM attracted seven scientists from institutions ranked in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings 2025, including the California Institute of Technology (Caltech, ranked 10th), University of California, Berkeley (12th), Seoul National University (31st), Carnegie Mellon University (58th), Paris-Saclay University (73rd), and Osaka University (86th).

A standout among them is Dr. Can Tran Thanh Trung, an outstanding former student of Dr. Le Ba Khanh Trinh. Dr. Trung earned his PhD from Caltech and has returned to work at the University of Science.

Born in 1995, Dr. Trung is an alumnus of the High School for the Gifted under VNU-HCM. He won a gold medal at the 2013 International Mathematical Olympiad in Colombia. After high school, he received a full scholarship to Duke University, a top-10 U.S. university according to US News 2024, where he graduated as valedictorian in Mathematics in 2018. He then pursued a PhD in Mathematics at Caltech, ranked 7th globally by THE 2024 and in the top 10 worldwide by QS.

Over his 10 years in the U.S., Dr. Trung observed that Vietnamese students possess talent and passion comparable to international peers but often lack early development opportunities.

“Since 2015, Duke University has run a summer research program on big data for undergraduates and graduate students, supported by multi-million-dollar investments from businesses and local government. It fosters research skills and inspires a new generation of big data specialists. Now, with artificial intelligence booming and hundreds of billions of dollars invested in global data centers, the demand for skilled professionals is higher than ever. Nurturing talent early, like Duke does, is invaluable,” he said.

Wishing to support talent development in Vietnam, Dr. Trung used his own scholarship funds in 2016, alongside students and the University of Science, to launch the PiMA summer camp for mathematics and applications.

Over the past eight years, the camp has introduced hundreds of gifted students to advanced fields like machine learning, data science, and bioinformatics. Many alumni now study at top universities or work for major tech firms.

“These early successes made me seriously consider returning home long-term to contribute to Vietnam,” he shared.

When weighing the decision to stay in the U.S. or return to Vietnam, Dr. Trung learned about the VNU350 program - an initiative to recruit and develop exceptional young scientists. He was drawn to the program, calling it “the starting motivation and aspiration I want to pursue.” He applied and was selected as a lecturer at the Faculty of Information Technology, University of Science.

A VNU-HCM official told VietNamNet that many candidates failed to secure positions because they lacked familiarity with recruitment regulations. Some withdrew after applying due to unresolved commitments with current employers or because the benefits offered were not compelling enough. Moreover, the recruitment process is rigorous and scientific, and not every foreign-trained PhD is guaranteed a position.

Le Huyen