UEH News

[UEH 50] UEH Through the Keepsakes of Those Who Walked Alongside and Gave Their All

11 Nov, 2026

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The history of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) is told through its events, its stages of development and the keepsakes preserved over the years: a commemorative emblem, a logo from a particular era, or a name badge from years of service. Through the keepsakes of Dr. Pham Thang and MSc. Truong Minh Kiet, the story of UEH comes to life in the experiences and marks of those who walked alongside the University.

Dr. Pham Thang - Milestones of a Time of Dedication

During his time at UEH, Dr. Pham Thang served as Head of the Office of Political Affairs and taught political theory. His work brought him into many of the University’s activities, from his constant care and support for the Youth Union and student movements to the milestones in UEH’s development. The keepsakes he has kept also trace back to those years, each tied to an event or a part of the work he once undertook.

Marking the Legacy of UEH Youth

In 2001, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union celebrated its 70th founding anniversary. The commemorative emblem from this occasion is one of the items presented to Dr. Pham Thang, tied to a milestone of the organization that has accompanied many generations of Vietnamese youth. At UEH, Youth Union activities are also part of university life, where students not only study but also join student movements, build skills and grow through experiences beyond the lecture hall.

The commemorative emblem for the 70th founding anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (1931-2001), one of the keepsakes kept by Dr. Pham Thang

Three years later, on February 28, 2004, the UEH Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union held a ceremony to receive the Second-Class Labor Order at the hall of the 59C Nguyen Dinh Chieu campus, under Decision No. 910-QĐ/CTN of the State President dated December 10, 2003. The award recognized the UEH Youth Union’s contributions to Youth Union work and student movements, especially during 1998 - 2002, a period when academic, scientific research and volunteer activities were greatly stepped up.

During this period, alongside academic competitions such as Dynamic - Future Student Entrepreneurs and the SCUE Virtual Stock Exchange, the UEH student movement extended into volunteer activities such as the Green Summer campaign, Exam Season Support and blood donation drives. These activities broadened opportunities for students to apply their knowledge, develop their abilities and contribute to the community. The commemorative emblem from the ceremony therefore marks not only the receipt of an award, but also a vibrant journey and the efforts of many generations of Youth Union officers, students and teachers who stood behind the movement.

The commemorative emblem marking the UEH Youth Union’s receipt of the Second-Class Labor Order in 2004, a milestone in the University’s Youth Union activities and student movements

Placed beside the emblem for the Youth Union’s 70th anniversary, the 2004 item recalls another chapter of UEH youth: from the traditions of the Youth Union to the concrete activities carried on by successive generations of students. Each item records its own milestone, yet both belong to the years when the student movement was built up through the participation of many generations.

Milestones of the University and Its Academic Life

In 2001, UEH celebrated its 25th founding anniversary. On this occasion, Dr. Pham Thang served on the Steering Committee and the Editorial Board of the special issue commemorating UEH’s 25 years, and contributed an article titled “The Joys and Sorrows of Political Work”.

The title alone reveals his reflections on political work in a university setting. In his view, this is not only the task of a specialized unit, but also requires the attention and coordination of the Party committee, lecturers and staff. Such work is bound up with the shared life of the University, where educating and guiding learners always calls for the support of many parties.

Dr. Pham Thang’s article ‘The Joys and Sorrows of Political Work’ in the publication commemorating UEH’s 25th founding anniversary

In 2010, the Journal of Economic Development celebrated its 20th anniversary. The commemorative emblem from this occasion is also among the items kept by Dr. Pham Thang, tied to a stage in the development of academic publishing at UEH. Through the journal’s issues, research and articles on economics have helped sustain academic exchange while linking research to real-world issues.

The commemorative emblem for the 20th anniversary of the Journal of Economic Development (1990-2010), marking a stage in the development of academic publishing at UEH

From the publication for UEH’s 25th anniversary to the emblem for the Journal of Economic Development’s 20th anniversary, these items recall two aspects of University life: political work and academic activity. Each holds its own story of the work carried out and the values nurtured through each period.

A Personal Mark Through Years of Dedication

Alongside the emblems marking UEH’s major events, Dr. Pham Thang has also kept his University staff name badge. Not tied to any particular anniversary, the badge recalls another side of his career: the years he worked at and stayed devoted to UEH across various positions and duties.

Dr. Pham Thang’s staff name badge, a keepsake from his years of service alongside UEH

Simple as it is, the name badge carries a personal mark, tied to Dr. Pham Thang’s long journey working at and alongside UEH. Over the years, it has become part of the memory of his career, while preserving one individual’s imprint on the University’s shared journey of development.

Mr. Truong Minh Kiet - From Youth Union Years to UEH’s 40th Anniversary Milestone

Before taking on management positions at UEH, Mr. Truong Minh Kiet spent many years devoted to Youth Union work and student movements. For those who knew him, the affectionate nickname “Sau Kiet” brings to mind an approachable elder brother, serious in his work and caring toward students. His time as Chief of the Youth Union Office was also part of his journey alongside UEH youth.

He went on to hold a number of positions, including Director of the Center for Business Relations and Student Support, Head of the Office of Facilities Management, Head of the Office of Marketing and Communications, and Chief of the University Office. Each role covered a different area of work, from student support and business engagement to facilities management, communications and the coordination of University operations.

In 2016, when UEH celebrated its 40th founding anniversary, he was Head of the Office of Facilities Management. For the celebration, preparing the venues, halls and logistics for the program was an important part of ensuring the University’s activities ran smoothly.

The logo for UEH’s 40th anniversary (1976 - 2016) is the item tied to that milestone. Behind the images and programs recorded during the celebration lay the preparatory work of many units, including the team in charge of facilities. Such work rarely appears in public view, yet it helps create the conditions for events to run smoothly.

The logo for UEH’s 40th founding anniversary (1976-2016), marking four decades of the University’s growth and development

From his years in Youth Union work to his later management roles, Mr. Truong Minh Kiet’s journey spans many areas of UEH’s operations. The 40th anniversary logo marks a specific moment in that journey, while recalling the contributions behind the University’s shared activities.

The Stories That Make UEH’s History

Through the keepsakes of Dr. Pham Thang and Mr. Truong Minh Kiet, the University’s history emerges not only through events, but also through the people who directly accompanied UEH at each stage and in many areas: from Youth Union work, academic activities and management to the University’s major development milestones. Each keepsake is a separate fragment of memory, but placed side by side, they form a broader picture of the people and the work that have shaped UEH through the years.

Looking back on the 50-year journey, these stories remind us that the University’s history lies not only in timelines or major events, but is also preserved in humble objects and in the memories of those who have walked alongside UEH.

News, photos: Department of Communications and Partnerships