Hanoi Medical University (HMU) is positioned in the nation's capital and holds the distinction of being the oldest medical institution in Vietnam. Established back in 1902 during the French colonial administration, it originally operated under the title Indochina Medical College. Its inaugural director was Alexandre Yersin, a celebrated physician widely recognized for discovering the pathogen responsible for bubonic plague, after whom a major campus street is named.
Initially launched as Indochina Medical University, HMU remains the country's pioneer modern higher education center, second only to the historic Temple of Literature among all national educational landmarks. In 1961, the Hanoi University of Pharmacy branched out from HMU, relocating to legacy grounds previously shared with the Faculty of Science of Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
HMU later shifted its primary operations to a contemporary campus on Ton That Tung Road, honoring a former director. Situated immediately adjacent to Bach Mai Hospital—one of the country's largest healthcare complexes—the university also maintains an office at Viet Duc Hospital.
The extensive network of clinical training partners affiliated with HMU features prominent medical facilities, including:
A primary incentive drawing international aspirants to pursue medical studies in Vietnam is the country's robust educational framework and accessibility. Within global peace index evaluations, Vietnam secures a strong standing among Asian regions and ranks comfortably within upper tiers globally. The progressive development of the local education sector actively champions human resource growth, complemented by a subtropical climate profile well-suited for international scholars.
Delivering high-caliber education for all remains a paramount focus for the national government, reflected by a nationwide literacy rate exceeding 97.5%.