The Fulbright University Vietnam project at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park in Thu Duc City.
The Fulbright University Vietnam project was approved in principle by the Prime Minister in June 2014. In February 2016, the management board of the Saigon Hi-Tech Park signed a 50-year land lease agreement for over 15 hectares at a rate of 0 VND per square metre.
However, in 2018, the State Audit of Vietnam reported that the exemption was inconsistent with regulations when considering the project’s operational objectives. The audit authority estimated the land lease fees for the project at over VND 241 billion.
Recently, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee submitted a proposal to the city’s People’s Council, requesting the land lease exemption for FUV.
According to the committee, FUV is a symbolic project representing the normalization of Vietnam-US relations and has received significant attention from both governments.
Additionally, as a reputable international university, FUV contributes to bridging the gap in education, human resource development, and scientific research between Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and the broader region. The project enhances the reputation of the Saigon Hi-Tech Park, positioning it competitively among other technology hubs in the region.
Moreover, FUV operates as a non-profit institution under Decision 819 issued by the Prime Minister in 2016.
In the 2023 Joint Statement on upgrading Vietnam-US relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, both nations welcomed FUV’s contributions and its growing role as a regional center for public policy education.
