Founded on April 1, 1956, as a vocational school, Vietnam Maritime University (VMU) was established to educate and train maritime experts and scientists for the national seaward economy. With a rich history of nearly 70 years, the University has made significant contributions to the transportation industry as well as the national economy and defense. VMU has been producing over 45,000 graduates, including over 35,000 maritime officers and seafarers who serve the maritime industry. Many of them are playing important roles at government bodies, enterprises, and other organizations.
Currently, the training program at Vietnam Maritime University is multi-disciplinary and multi-level, from elementary vocational to doctoral level, including 50 undergraduate programs, 17 master programs, and 8 doctoral programs, with a total number of more than 20,000 students. The University has almost 1,000 lecturers and staff, of which there are nearly 60 professors and associate professors, about 300 D.Sc. & PhD., 495 MSc, 350 Captains, Chief Engineers, along with hundreds of qualified senior officers, junior officers, and seamen.
Vietnam Maritime University has now become a leading center for education, scientific research, application & technology transfer, and innovation, which is equipped with modern laboratory systems and advanced simulation and practical training facilities.
Especially, on September 05th, 2025, the Prime Minister has issued the Decision No. 1901/QĐ-TTg on approval of the Project on developing Vietnam Maritime University into a National key university for Training and Research to serve the sustainable development of the Seaward economy in the period to 2030, with a vision to 2045.
This not only demonstrates the profound attention and support from the National Communist Party and the Government but also affirms the strategic position of Vietnam Maritime University.
Mission
Developing Vietnam Maritime University into a center for high-quality training, scientific research, innovation and technology transfer, and experimental production, with the field of transport and seaward economy reaching the regional and global level; becoming one of the leading centers for training high-quality human resources in Asia in the fields of maritime, seaward economy.
Vision
By 2030, becoming one of the top five training centers for high-quality maritime and seaward economic human resources in the ASEAN region, in which the fields of Maritime science and Mechanical engineering are ranked among the top 10 in Asia.
By 2035, becoming one of the top three training centers for high-quality maritime and seaward economic human resources in the ASEAN region, in which the fields of Maritime Science, Mechanical Engineering, Control and Automation Engineering, Maritime Business and Logistics are ranked among the top 10 in Asia.
By 2045, continuing to improve quality and creating breakthroughs in training high-quality human resources, scientific research, innovation, and technology transfer to meet the requirements of sustainable development of seaward and ocean economy, contributing to promoting socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security in the Red River Delta and the whole country; strive to reach the same level as maritime universities in developed countries in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.
Achievements
VMU has received various noble awards: the Ho Chi Minh Medal, the Title of Labour Hero, the Independent Medal, the Title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces, as well as many other noble titles
Featured historical milestones:
- On April 1st, 1956: The Vocational School of Navigation was established, located at the Hai Phong Ice Plant
- In 1959, the school was upgraded to the Nautical Vocational School, located at No. 5, Ben Binh, Hai Phong
- On July 7th, 1976: The Ministry of Transport decided to establish the Maritime University by upgrading the Nautical School
- On March 2nd, 1984: The Waterway University Transport University was merged into Maritime University
- In July 2013: The Prime Minister decided to rename Vietnam Maritime University
- In 2022: VMU was included in Resolution No. 30-NQ/TW issued by the Politburo on socio-economic development and the strengthening of national defense and security in the Red River Delta until 2030, with a vision to 2045
- On September 5th, 2025, the Prime Minister approved the Project “Developing Vietnam Maritime University into a National Key University for training and research to serve the sustainable development of the seaward economy in the period to 2030, with a vision to 2045”