Continuing its working programme in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, on 27–28 August 2026 a Tay Bac University delegation led by Rector Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh held important working sessions with the National University of Laos in Vientiane and Souphanouvong University in Luang Prabang Province. These activities were part of a survey visit by the Ministry of Education and Training of Viet Nam to strengthen educational cooperation between the two countries.
The delegation works with the National University of Laos
On the afternoon of 27 August 2026, the delegation worked with the National University of Laos in Vientiane. Attending were the head of the delegation, Dr. Dang Van Huan, Deputy Director of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Training; representatives of the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports; and leaders of Vietnamese universities. Tay Bac University was represented by Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh, Rector, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Viet Hung, Head of the Office of Academic Affairs.
The delegation works with the National University of Laos
Representatives of the National University of Laos presented an overview of its training scale, organisational structure and strengths in natural sciences, engineering, water resources, agriculture, forestry, environment, social sciences, economics and management, education, foreign languages and architecture – fields with many similarities to and complementarities with Tay Bac University’s orientation in training, research and regional development.
Speaking at the session, Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh emphasised: “Tay Bac University is a public university that trains human resources, conducts scientific research and serves the socio-economic development of Northwest Viet Nam. Located at the centre of the Northwest and bordering the northern provinces of Laos, we are particularly interested in cooperation that links regions and countries, especially in education and training, scientific research and sustainable development.” He proposed specific areas of cooperation such as lecturer and student exchanges, joint research, conferences and academic activities, curriculum and learning material development, human resource training, and cooperation in agriculture, natural resources and environment, natural sciences, technology, tourism, culture and community development.
Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh, Rector, speaks with the National University of Laos
Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh also said that Tay Bac University is completing the necessary procedures with the Ministry of Education and Training and the competent authorities of Son La Province to promote cooperation with the National University of Laos. If both sides agree, Tay Bac University is ready to work towards drafting and signing a memorandum of understanding to lay the foundation for concrete, results-oriented and sustainable cooperation programmes.
The session ended with an exchange of souvenirs and commemorative photos, after which the delegation toured the facilities of the National University of Laos.
On the morning of 28 August 2026, the delegation worked with Souphanouvong University. The delegation was led by Mr. Nguyen Duc Son, Rector of Hanoi National University of Education, and included representatives of the Ministry of Education and Training, the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports and Vietnamese universities. Tay Bac University was represented by Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh, Rector, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Viet Hung, Head of the Office of Academic Affairs.
Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh reviewed the history of cooperation between the two universities: “Tay Bac University and Souphanouvong University established relations early and signed a cooperation agreement in 2019 with many promising prospects. However, the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted international cooperation in 2020–2024. In 2025–2026 we have worked to relaunch cooperation, and we highly appreciate both sides’ consensus on building on this foundation and preparing to sign an MoU for 2026–2030.”
The delegation works with Souphanouvong University
The Rector also expressed his gratitude for Souphanouvong University’s active support in developing the proposal to open the Lao–Thai Language Teacher Education programme. Its Faculty of Lao Language has shared many valuable textbooks and specialised materials for Tay Bac University to use in developing the curriculum, course outlines and Lao teaching materials. In particular, Souphanouvong University agreed to send 5 qualified lecturers as visiting lecturers once the programme is licensed and provided their academic CVs and professional records. This support significantly strengthens Tay Bac University’s Lao-language teaching staff and creates favourable conditions for implementing the programme in line with quality standards and regulations.
The two universities discussed specific areas of cooperation in the MoU, including lecturer and student exchanges, joint research and international conferences, curriculum and learning material development, human resource training, support for opening the Lao–Thai Language Teacher Education programme, and cooperation in culture, tourism and community development. Both sides agreed on the scope, roadmap and basic terms of the MoU.
Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh, Rector, speaks with Souphanouvong University
A highlight of the session was the handover of the draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 2026–2030. On behalf of Tay Bac University, Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh officially handed the draft MoU to the representative of Souphanouvong University. The two sides agreed to finalise its contents and complete the necessary procedures to hold an official signing ceremony in the near future, marking a new step forward in the strong relationship between the two universities.
The rectors of the two universities exchange the draft cooperation agreement
Tay Bac University also sent an official letter inviting Souphanouvong University to submit papers to the international conference “Improving the effectiveness of training and managing students from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic”, scheduled for November 2026. The Rector expressed confidence that the conference would attract the interest of Souphanouvong’s staff and lecturers and contribute to the event’s success.
At the end of the session, the two sides exchanged souvenirs and took commemorative photos, after which the delegation toured the lecture halls, laboratories and campus of Souphanouvong University.
The delegation poses for a souvenir photo at Souphanouvong University
Leaders of the two universities exchange souvenirs at Souphanouvong University
The working trip from 25 to 28 August 2026 concluded with many positive results. Tay Bac University continues to affirm its position as a reputable centre for training, human resource development and international cooperation, and especially as an effective bridge for educational cooperation with Lao universities and research institutes. Building on this foundation and the draft MoU, the University is confident of a new, deeper, more substantive and effective period of cooperation, contributing to the great friendship and special solidarity between the peoples of Viet Nam and Laos.
