Rigorous selection, sustained innovation, and a deep sense of community engagement—these enduring values have quietly shaped the identity of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law (ULAW) over nearly half a century. Looking back on its path of growth in education, scientific research, and service to society, one can sense more than institutional achievements; one can feel the steady rhythm of a university that has remained faithful to standards, devoted to the cultivation of knowledge, and committed to nurturing both professional integrity and humanistic spirit.
From generation to generation, ULAW has been more than a place of learning. It has been a space where young minds discover the law not merely as a system of rules, but as a calling—one rooted in justice, responsibility, and compassion for people.
1. Education – Where Standards Meet Opportunity
Rising from its origins as a judicial cadre training institution for Southern Viet Nam, Ho Chi Minh City University of Law was officially established in 1996, opening a new chapter in the nation’s legal education landscape. Over nearly three decades, the University has remained steadfast in an educational philosophy best captured by three guiding principles: standards, practice, and openness—standards in admissions and curricula; practice in professional competence and ethical grounding; and openness in vision, opportunity, and international engagement.
Across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels, ULAW has consistently affirmed its position among the country’s leading institutions for legal education. In recent admission cycles, entry requirements have remained stable and among the highest nationwide, reflecting a quiet yet unwavering commitment to quality over scale.
ULAW’s classrooms increasingly open outward to the world. The dual Bachelor of Laws degree program jointly delivered with the University of Arizona (United States) allows students to immerse themselves in a global-standard legal environment, sharpening academic rigor while cultivating international perspectives. In 2025, the launch of a student exchange program with the National University of Singapore, one of Asia’s foremost universities, further expanded these horizons—offering Vietnamese law students new vantage points from which to engage with the world.
At the postgraduate level, the University’s achievements speak with equal clarity. In early 2025, ULAW conferred master’s degrees upon 222 graduates and doctoral degrees upon two candidates, while welcoming 436 new master’s students—including participants in international joint programs—and 47 doctoral candidates. These milestones reflect not only numerical growth, but the sustained trust of the academic community in the University’s scholarly standing.
Supporting this academic journey is continuous investment in digital learning resources, including access to international databases such as HeinOnline and Oxford Academic. Transparent scholarship policies encourage excellence, while the ULAW App has emerged as a digital bridge connecting students and alumni—where knowledge, professional opportunities, and enduring bonds between teachers and learners continue to flourish.
ULAW students studying at Campus 3 (Long Phuoc), Ho Chi Minh City
2. Scientific Research – Where Knowledge Takes Root and Resonates
If education forms the foundation of ULAW, scientific research is its living pulse. Within lecture halls, seminars, and research forums, inquiry is nurtured not as an obligation, but as a natural academic habit. Student research activities are sustained annually across faculties, with many projects progressing from institutional recognition to city-level and higher platforms. Beyond awards and statistics, these endeavors mark the first steps in the intellectual journeys of future legal scholars.
For faculty members, research is embraced as a core academic calling. Expanded access to global scholarly databases has enabled ULAW’s researchers to engage deeply with international knowledge, elevate the quality of publication, and contribute meaningfully to policy-oriented studies. Academic conferences, scholarly dialogues, and international collaborations are held regularly, weaving a vibrant network of intellectual exchange that transcends borders.
More than the production of research outputs, ULAW places emphasis on the integration of teaching, research, and practice—guiding learners to analyze evidence, construct sound arguments, and engage in thoughtful critique. Through this consistency, a distinctive academic identity has taken shape: one in which knowledge is inseparable from responsibility, and scholarship is inseparable from humanity.
The Student Scientific Research Day is an annual academic event organized for ULAW students
3. Community Engagement – When Knowledge Returns to Life
Community service stands as one of the most distinctive hallmarks of ULAW’s journey. Guided by the spirit of “bringing the law closer to the people,” the University has organized a wide range of legal dissemination and education initiatives—seminars, forums, and communication campaigns reaching youth, workers, and vulnerable groups alike. Each initiative embodies the dedication of legal professionals and gives tangible meaning to the spirit of Viet Nam Law Day (9 November).
ULAW’s commitment to society is further reflected in its cooperation with media agencies and social organizations, notably Tuổi Trẻ Newspaper and Pháp Luật Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh Newspaper. Through these partnerships, legal knowledge extends beyond academic walls, accompanying society in policy dialogue and legal awareness in a manner that is both accessible and grounded in real life.
Equally meaningful are scholarship programs supported by the Lawrence S. Ting Foundation, which have enabled many students from disadvantaged backgrounds to continue their academic journeys. These acts of support nurture resilience, gratitude, and aspiration—forming a quiet but enduring bond between the University and the community. The students supported today are the professionals who will serve society tomorrow.
More than social outreach, community engagement at ULAW is understood as a profound form of civic education. By stepping beyond the classroom and engaging with lived realities, students come to understand that law finds its true value only when it serves people. Through each field visit, legal consultation, and volunteer initiative, they learn to live responsibly—true to the spirit of legal professionals in an era of integration.
The Mock Trial, a representative model of legal education and public legal awareness initiatives conducted by ULAW students
4. Core Values – The Quiet Compass of ULAW
Over nearly three decades under its official name, Ho Chi Minh City University of Law has remained anchored in four core values that quietly yet firmly define its identity: Standards – Innovation – Integration – Service.
Standards are reflected in transparent admissions, continuously updated curricula, and a strong emphasis on professional ethics.
Innovation finds expression in digital transformation, the development of high-quality programs, and the encouragement of student research.
Integration is embodied in international cooperation networks spanning from the United States to Singapore, enabling faculty and students to engage confidently with the global academic community.
Service, the most deeply rooted value, is lived out through legal outreach programs, scholarship initiatives, and community-centered activities.
A delegation from Ho Chi Minh City University of Law paid a working visit to the University of Pécs, Hungary, with the aim of strengthening cooperation in international legal education and research
5. Looking Forward – Advancing with Purpose in the Digital Era
In an age defined by digital transformation and deepening global interconnectedness, the modern legal professional must possess not only legal expertise, but also technological literacy, interdisciplinary understanding, and a global mindset. Guided by a vision of sustainable development, ULAW continues to expand international exposure, enhance digital learning infrastructure, and professionalize community engagement with a strong humanistic orientation.
This is not merely the growth path of a university. It is ULAW’s contribution to nurturing the next generation of legal professionals—individuals who will help shape institutions, safeguard justice, and serve society in a rapidly changing world.
From lecture halls to communities, from research to service, Ho Chi Minh City University of Law continues to write its story with quiet pride and enduring purpose. Half a century on, these values remain luminous—like a steady flame inspiring generations of faculty members, students, and alumni to add their own light to a shared journey: a ULAW defined by standards, innovation, integration, and service. These are not simply words, but the living essence of ULAW—a place where knowledge and humanity rise together.
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Credits
Content: Hồng Giang
Photos: ULAW Archive
Department of Communications and Enterprise Relation
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