Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy boasts a rich history deeply intertwined with the development of modern healthcare education in Vietnam, tracing its origins back to the mid-20th century.
A Legacy of Medical Education
Originally founded in 1947 during the French Indochina era, the institution began its journey as a medical school affiliated with the prestigious University of Saigon. Established by French settlers and guided by Professor C. Macias, the school's first campus was situated at 28 Testard/Tran Quy Cap Street (now Vo Van Tan Street) in District 3.
In August 1961, under the Republic of Vietnam, the institution underwent a major restructuring and was officially split into two distinct branches: Saigon Medical University and Saigon Pharmacy University. Shortly after, in 1964, the Saigon Dental College was established as a specialized department within the Faculty of Medicine.
Consolidation and Modernization
Following the conclusion of the Vietnam War in 1976, the government consolidated these three specialized institutions into a single, unified entity: Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy. In its early days as a merged university, the primary headquarters featured a two-story administrative complex housing a library, a central lecture hall, and adjacent student residential quarters.
Comprehensive Training Facilities
Historically, the university leveraged a network of specialized centers across Ho Chi Minh City to teach foundational medical sciences. Key training sites included:
- The Pasteur Institute: Dedicated to microbiology and parasitology studies.
- The Human Research Institute: A primary center for anatomical training.
- Saigon Hospital: Utilized for advanced chemistry studies.
- The Human Body Institute: Provided crucial facilities for histology, pathology, and physiology.
By 1961, students from both the medical and pharmaceutical tracks were utilizing these dynamic locations, with the Faculty of Pharmacy eventually establishing its own dedicated space on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street.
The Modern Academic Campus
On November 16, 1966, the university shifted its central operations to a highly equipped medical training hub on Hong Bang Street in District 5. This enduring campus continues to serve as the academic home for today's medical and dental students.
The facility is designed for large-scale academic excellence, featuring a grand 500-seat main auditorium, three expansive 300-seat lecture halls, a comprehensive medical library, and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities tailored to modern healthcare training.