The country is represented in 9 out of 11 subject categories, including arts and humanities, business and economics, computer science, education, engineering, life sciences, clinical and health, physical sciences, and social sciences.

Compared to last year, Vietnam has made progress by entering a new subject area - arts and humanities - with Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City ranked in the 601–800 band.

Engineering remains the strongest field, with nine Vietnamese universities ranked. Among them, Duy Tan University and Ton Duc Thang University are the top performers, both placed in the 301–400 range, similar to last year. Ho Chi Minh City Open University follows in the 601–800 range.

In business and economics, several Vietnamese institutions achieved strong positions. Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics is the highest-ranked in this field, placed in the 301–400 band, maintaining its position from the previous year. Other recognized universities in this area include Vietnam National University Hanoi, Duy Tan University, Ton Duc Thang University, and Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City.

Duy Tan and Ton Duc Thang Universities also secured high placements in multiple other disciplines, such as life sciences, physical sciences, and social sciences.

In the field of education, last year Vietnam National University Hanoi was the only representative. This year, it remains ranked in the 501–600 range and is joined by Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City and Hue University, both placed in the 601–800 range.

Two more Vietnamese universities made their debut in this year’s subject rankings: the University of Danang and Nguyen Tat Thanh University. Notably, Nguyen Tat Thanh University received strong placements in clinical and health (501–600) and life sciences (601–800).

Global leaders in subject rankings

Globally, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) continues to dominate in several disciplines, leading in arts and humanities, business and economics, and social sciences.

Stanford University leads in education and law, while Harvard University holds the top position in engineering and life sciences. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) leads in physical sciences.

The University of Oxford tops the rankings in computer science and clinical and health. Meanwhile, the University of Cambridge surpasses Stanford to take the lead in psychology.

Across Asia, universities continue to improve their standings in STEM-related fields. While no Asian institution currently leads any subject ranking, several have secured positions within the global top 50. Among the top-ranked are Tsinghua University and Peking University, which placed third and seventh in business and economics, and fifth and eighth in education, respectively.

Thuy Nga