UEH Rises in the UI GreenMetric World University 2025 Rankings: Top 896 Globally and Top 5 in Vietnam

18 Dec, 2025

In 2025, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) continued to make a positive impact in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, showing a clear improvement at both the national and international levels. This achievement affirms the university's persistent efforts in its strategy to build a green, sustainable, and socially responsible institution.

Impressive rise in the second year of participation

In the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2025, UEH ranked 5th out of 11 participating Vietnamese universities and 896th out of 1,744 universities worldwide. This marks a significant improvement from 2024, when UEH was ranked 6th out of 7 in Vietnam and 956th out of 1,476 globally.

Notably, UEH's advancement occurred as the ranking became larger and more competitive. While 1,476 institutions participated in 2024, the number grew to 1,744 universities from 105 countries and territories in 2025. UEH's 60-place climb in the global rankings, along with its improved position among Vietnamese universities, reflects the tangible quality and effectiveness of its sustainable development initiatives.

A comprehensive sustainable development strategy

According to the 2025 rankings, UEH achieved a total score of 5,572.5, earning high marks across all pillars: Education and Research on Sustainable Development (1,412.5), Energy and Climate Change (1,175), Waste Management (1,075), Sustainable Transportation (787.5), Setting and Infrastructure (710), and Water Management (412.5).

These results stem from a sustainable development strategy that UEH has implemented comprehensively across all areas

(1) Landscape and infrastructure:

UEH has continuously created green, clean, beautiful and nature-friendly spaces, providing a healthy learning and working environment. In 2024, the university expanded its green areas to 52,345 m² of grass and 25,244 m² of woody plants, accounting for 30% and 15.6% of its campuses’ area, marking a turning point in its green transformation strategy. A prime example is the English Zone at Campus B, which combines an English learning space with relaxation areas that utilizes natural light. UEH also implemented effective drainage solutions with 87,512 m² of permeable space, covering 65% of the total area to help reduce flooding and pressure on the public drainage system.

(2) Energy policy and climate change response:

Understanding the importance of efficient energy use and management, UEH installed solar power stations with a capacity of over 509,000 kWp at its A, B, and N campuses to maximize the use of renewable energy. In 2024, this system generated 470,000 kWh of electricity, reducing CO2 emissions by 1,270,000 tons—equivalent to planting 12,000 trees.

(3) Waste management:

Over the past period, over 75% of UEH's programs now follow the 3R principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and nearly 10 programs to reduce paper and plastic waste have been organized across UEH campuses. In 2024, UEH successfully recycled nearly 92% of its waste. Key initiatives in the Green University product ecosystem include the “Go Green Station” for waste sorting, the “Zeen AI Scan “ waste recognition application, AI-powered trash bins for waste recognition and sorting, and the “iVe Chai Machine” for automated plastic bottles and aluminum cans collection. These initiatives ensure source-separated waste and a clean campus. Additionally, UEH actively combines multidisciplinary knowledge in changing community awareness and green living behaviors through activities like the UEH Green Campus Game, Green Monday Series, and other communication campaigns.

(4) Water use and reuse policy:

UEH is actively researching and implementing water storage systems, including two underground tanks and rooftop reservoirs at N campus to ensure stable water supply and effective water conservation. The university has also adopted AO technology for wastewater treatment through three stages: solid removal, bacterial decomposition, and filtration before discharge.

(5) Transportation:

UEH launched the "UEH Shuttle Bus" service, a specially designed bus route to facilitate travel between the city center and its campus N (Nguyen Van Linh, Binh Chanh). Officially operating since February 2022, the UEH Shuttle Bus runs over 20 trips daily with a capacity of 832 passengers, optimizing travel for staff and learners, reducing traffic congestion and protecting the environment.

A 2025 student survey with over 5,747 participants revealed a strong preference for eco-friendly transportation: electric motorcycles (3,624 choices), electric buses (2,571), electric cars (1,929), UEH Shuttle Bus (1,846), and electric bicycles (678). Specifically, 66.2% of students are willing to use eco-friendly options, while 26.5% would consider it depending on price and vehicle type.

(6) Education and research:

With a strong commitment to educating global citizens, UEH continually promotes education and activities related to sustainable development by offering 40 courses and subjects with integrated sustainable development content. Additionally, UEH organizes over 36 related events annually with 11 activities led by student organizations. These efforts are designed to raise awareness and promote sustainable action among students.

The continued rise in the UI GreenMetric rankings is not just a statistical achievement but a significant indicator of UEH's long-term commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its role as a "City University" partnering with Ho Chi Minh City and the community for a green and sustainable future.

Moving forward, UEH is determined to further promote innovative initiatives and expand domestic and international cooperation, thereby enhancing the quality of its sustainable development execution, actively contributing to society, and gradually affirming its position as a multidisciplinary, innovative, and sustainably developing university in the region.

*UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2025 is a global system that evaluates the sustainable development performance of universities. The ranking is based on an online survey of the current status, policies, and improvement efforts related to sustainability at higher education institutions worldwide. This year's theme is: "Promoting Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education: Stories from Educational Institutions and Communities." In this spirit, UI GreenMetric continues to encourage broader participation from universities globally to foster a shared commitment to building sustainable campuses for the future.

UEH – The First University in Vietnam to Implement a Green Campus Living Lab

Implemented and operated under the Living Lab model, also known as the Living Laboratory, the UEH Green Campus project addresses environmental issues across its 13 campuses in HCMC and two branches in Vinh Long and Nha Trang. The project focuses on ten key management areas: (1) waste management, (2) emissions management, (3) efficient energy management, (4) green transportation management, (5) inequality management, (6) building management, (7) campus landscape and biodiversity, (8) occupational health and safety management, (9) on-campus food service management, and (10) procurement management.

Over four years of active implementation, the project has successfully diverted 6.4 tons of recyclable waste for reprocessing into new products. Furthermore, the project has raised awareness of the Green University Regulations and the 3R (Reduce – Reuse – Recycle) principles among 90% of staff and learners. Additionally, over 100 scientific research papers with 47 detailed solutions and initiatives have been proposed by students and faculty to directly address challenges within the Living Lab, and nearly 58 programs and events have been organized by UEH units to promote a green lifestyle, engaging over 10,000 learners and staff.

*Learn more about the UEH Green Campus project at: https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/

News, photos: Department of Communications and Partnerships