The efficiency of implementing financial autonomy at Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh: situation and solution

In the world, university autonomy is considered the advanced governance method targeting improving the quality of higher education. In Vietnam, university autonomy, in particular, financing among public universities, has been experiencing the positive outcomes in line with both world trends and general guidelines of Vietnam’s Communist Party. As one of two National universities in Vietnam, Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh has been given a high level of autonomy in terms of training, research, financing, international relations, organization, and personnel since it was founded. Its current effectiveness has, however, witnessed negative results in the autonomous aspect, particularly financing. This paper examines the current situation to point out weaknesses and the cause of such weaknesses in financial autonomy effectiveness of Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh; this paper also offers some policy implications including (i) reforming the legal framework towards university autonomy, namely financial autonomy among public tertiary education; (ii) financing allocation reform from the state budget; (iii) improved financial autonomy mechanism at Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh; (iv) re-organizing the apparatus and improving personnel quality at Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh; (v) strengthening monitoring and internal control.