VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
=============
NGUYEN THI THU HUONG
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
(ODA) ACTIVITIES IN VIETNAM'S HIGHER
EDUCATION SYSTEM: CASE STUDY AT
VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
Program: Master in Financial Management
Code: 8340202
Supervisors: Dr. Tran Viet Dung
Hanoi - 2025
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DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP
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I hereby declare that this thesis was carried out by myself under the guidance
and supervision of Dr. Tran Viet Dung; and that the work contained in it and the
results in it are true by the author and have not violated research ethics. The data and
figures presented in this thesis are for analysis, comments, and evaluations from
various resources by my own work and have been duly acknowledged in the reference
part.
In addition, other comments, reviews and data used by other authors, and
organizations have been acknowledged and explicitly cited.
I will take full responsibility for any fraud detected in my thesis.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. Tran Viet Dung for his
dedicated guidance and invaluable knowledge sharing throughout the process of
completing my graduation thesis. His mentorship has not only helped me refine this
thesis but has also significantly contributed to my personal growth and career
development.
I would also like to express my thanks to the experts from the VNU's World
Bank Project Management Unit of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, as well as
the ODA specialists who participated in in-depth interviews, providing me with a
multifaceted and accurate perspective for this research topic.
On this occasion, I extend my best wishes to the International School of
Vietnam National University, Hanoi. I hope the institution continues to grow stronger
and achieve even greater successes in the future.
Hanoi, date month year 2025
Author
Nguyen Thi Thu Huong
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TABLE OF CONTENT
DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP I
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS II
TABLE OF CONTENT III
SUMMARY VI
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS VII
LIST OF TABLES IX
LIST OF FIGURES X
INTRODUCTION 1
Background of Study 1
Research Objectives 2
General Objective 2
Specific Objectives 2
Research Subjects and Scope 3
Research Questions 3
Overview of the research 4
Research Methodology 4
Thesis structure 5
CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW 6
1.1. Official Development Assistance (ODA) 6
1.1.1. Definition of Official Development Assistance (ODA) 6
1.1.2. ODA characteristics 8
1.1.3. Classification of ODA 12
1.2. Legal framework on ODA management in education in Viet Nam 14
1.3. Criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of ODA projects 18
1.4. Practical basis 25
1.4.1. The new context of Vietnam (period 2010 – 2025) 25
1.4.2. The role of ODA in the socio-economy in general 27
1.4.3. The role of ODA in higher education of Vietnam 30
1.4.4. The context of Vietnam National University, Hanoi 33
CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 36
2.1. Research orientation 36
2.2. Specific methods 36
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2.2.1. Data collection methods 36
2.2.2 Data analysis methods 37
2.2.3. Process of conducting research 39
CHAPTER 3: FINDINGS 40
3.1. The current situation of using funds for higher education ODA projects in
Vietnam 40
3.1.1. The situation of ODA attraction in the field of education in Vietnam 40
3.1.2. Current situation of management and use of fund sources of higher education
ODA projects in Vietnam 43
3.2. Status of ODA projects at Vietnam National University, Hanoi: The project
"Vietnam University Development Project – VNU Sub-Project" funded by the
World Bank 46
3.2.1. Introduction of the project "Vietnam University Development Project – VNU
Sub-Project" with a loan from the World Bank 46
3.2.2. Assessment of the current situation of the project management "Vietnam
University Development Project – VNU Sub-Project" 50
3.2.3. Difficulties and challenges in the use of ODA at VNU 57
3.2.3.1. Difficulties in using ODA at VNU 57
3.2.3.2. Challenges in the use of ODA fund in VNU 59
3.2.3.3. Risks in the use of ODA fund in VNU 60
3.3. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the project "Development of Vietnam
National Universities – Vietnam National University, Hanoi Sub-project"
according to the framework of criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of ODA
projects 61
CHAPTER 4: RECOMMENDATIONS 80
4.1. Recommendations to the Government of Vietnam 80
4.1.1. Strengthen Centralized Coordination and Strategic Alignment 80
4.1.2. Establish a Robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework 81
4.1.3. Institutionalize a Specialized ODA Management Unit 81
4.2. Recommendations for Vietnam National University, Hanoi 82
4.2.1. Enhance Institutional Capacity for Project Management 82
4.2.2. Integrate ODA Outcomes into Strategic Development Planning 83
4.2.3. Strengthen Sustainability and Knowledge Management 83
4.3. Recommendations to Other Vietnamese Universities 83