The 65th Anniversary Celebration of the National Academy of Public Administration (May 29, 1959 – May 29, 2024)

On May 27, 2024, at NAPA Headquarters in Ha Noi, the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) celebrated its 65th anniversary (May 29, 1959 – May 29, 2024). The event was conducted in the hybrid form, reaching to NAPA Campuses in Quang Nam province, Dak Lak province, and Ho Chi Minh City, and was streamed live on the NAPA Facebook page.

H.E. Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Member of the CPV Central Committee, Deputy Head of the CPV Organization Commission, Secretary of the CPV Designated Representation, Minister of Home Affairs attended and delivered congratulatory remarks.

Attending the ceremony, from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), there were H.E. Vu Chien Thang, Secretary of Party Committee of MoHA, Vice Minister; H.E. Nguyen Trong Thua, Deputy Secretary of the CPV Designated Representation, Vice Minister; H.E. Trieu Van Cuong, Vice Minister in charge of NAPA; Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Hien, former Vice Minister, former NAPA President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Dieu, former Vice Minister, former NAPA President; Dr. Tran Anh Tuan, President of the Viet Nam Administrative Science Association, former Vice Minister in charge of NAPA.

Representatives from central agencies and educational organizations included the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Communist Review, Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences, Vietnam National University – Ha Noi, Vietnam People’s Public Security Political Academy, A03 Department – Ministry of Public Security, Hanoi Law University, University of Languages and International Studies – Vietnam National University – Ha Noi.

International guests included representatives from the Embassy of the Lao PDR in Viet Nam, the Embassy of the French Republic in Viet Nam, the Canadian Embassy in Viet Nam, the Italian Embassy in Viet Nam, the South Korean Embassy in Viet Nam, and KOICA – Korea International Cooperation Agency in Viet Nam.

Former NAPA leaders and members of the NAPA Association of Former Teachers included Dr. Dang Xuan Hoan, former NAPA President; Prof. Dr. Vu Huy Tu, former NAPA Vice President; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Khien, Chair of the Association of Former Teachers, former NAPA Vice President; other former NAPA Vice Presidents including Prof. Dr. Dinh Van Tien, Dr. Pham Quang Huy, Assoc. Prof. Le Van Hanh, and Dr. Vu Thanh Xuan. Also in attendance were Assoc. Prof. Tran Dinh Thao, former Chair of the Council of Hanoi University of Home Affairs (HUHA), and other HUHA Vice Rectors including Mr. Nguyen Cao Hoanh, Mr. Nguyen Canh Duong, Mr. Duong Manh Hung, Dr. Ha Quang Ngoc, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Phuong, and Dr. Le Thanh Huyen.

The event was also attended by members of the CPV Designated Representation of MoHA, Permanent Deputy Secretary of Party Committee of MoHA; leaders and representatives from units under the Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government Office, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning and Investment; local representatives from Ha Noi where NAPA is headquartered, and NAPA partners.

On the side of NAPA there were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, Secretary of Party Committee of NAPA, NAPA President; NAPA Vice Presidents including Dr. Nguyen Dang Que, Assoc. Prof. Luong Thanh Cuong, Dr. Lai Duc Vuong, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Suu; members of the NAPA Council of Science and Training; members of the Executive Committee of the Party Committee of NAPA, Trade Union of NAPA, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of NAPA, Veterans Association of NAPA, Women’s Affairs Committee of NAPA; lecturers and staff of NAPA units in Ha Noi; representatives of NAPA Campuses in Quang Nam, Dak Lak, and Ho Chi Minh City; representatives from training courses, postgraduate students, and undergraduates; representatives of Lao students and trainees, and members of the press.

Proud tradition of 65 years of development

Reflecting on NAPA’s journey of growth and development, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, Secretary of Party Committee of NAPA, NAPA President, stated: 65 years ago, on May 29, 1959, the School of Public Administration under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the first training institution in public administration in Viet Nam, was established under Decree No. 214-NV of the Government. Located in Phu Luu village, Tan Hong commune, Tu Son district, Bac Ninh province, the School was tasked with providing training for public officials at the district level. From its humble beginning as a small-scale training center, up to now, NAPA has grown significantly, now boasting its headquarters in Ha Noi and campuses in key regions across the country, i.e. the Central region, Tay Nguyen, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Throughout its history, NAPA has adapted to the specific needs of each period, operating under various names and managed by different agencies, including more than 25 years under Government management. Despite changes in its name and management agency, NAPA’s activities and achievements have consistently underscored its fundamental role. NAPA is the national center for training public officials; it is a special-class public non-business unit aspiring to meet regional and global standards.

Over its 65-year journey, NAPA has trained hundreds of thousands of public officials through various programs on state management knowledge and skills, including official, principal official, and senior official training programs; training for prospective public leaders and managers at the division, district, departmental, and ministerial levels; specialized management knowledge, expertise, and professional skills; public service ethics and professional ethics courses; knowledge of international integration; pre-service training.

Since 1995, NAPA has implemented 28 master’s programs, graduating thousands of students. Since 2003, NAPA has also held 18 doctoral programs with hundreds of PhD students. NAPA has provided a significant number of highly educated human resources in Public Management and other majors, such as Constitutional Law and Administrative Law, Public Policy, and Finance-Banking.

NAPA is a trusted institution for central and local government agencies in researching theoretical issues and developing management policies. Over the past five years alone, NAPA has undertaken 292 scientific research projects at all levels, including 2 national-level projects, 40 ministerial- and provincial-level projects, and 250 institutional-level projects. NAPA has also organized many large-scale domestic and international conferences, seminars, and workshops. These activities have fostered important discussions, contributing to the development of administrative sciences and state management while addressing important and urgent issues facing the country. NAPA also collaborates in training and research with more than 50 prestigious training institutions from more than 30 countries as well as international organizations in public administration. Additionally, NAPA has played an active role in training public leaders and managers for Laos, Bangladesh, and other countries in the region.

Numerous NAPA alumni have been holding significant positions in the Party, National Assembly, the Government, provinces, and cities of Viet Nam; they are also leaders of universities, academies, corporations, and enterprises. In virtually every organization within Viet Nam’s political system, there is the presence and “imprint” of NAPA’s training programs through its alumni. This clearly shows that NAPA has affirmed its position as the national center for training public officials in administration, leadership, and management, contributing to the organization, operation, and innovation of the public service to meet the requirements of each development period. Generations of leaders, staff, and students take pride in NAPA’s historical tradition and its achievements over the past 65 years.

Implementing Decision 27/2022/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister and the merger of Hanoi University of Home Affairs (HUHA) into the National Academy of Administration, as of January 1, 2023, the National Academy of Public Administration has become a larger and more cohesive entity. This merger brings together the 65-year-old traditions of NAPA with the 50-year history of HUHA. NAPA today has new functions, tasks, and legal status. Alongside its mission to train public officials, NAPA has truly become a reputable higher education institution within the national education system.

From the significant achievements gained over 65 years of establishment and development, NAPA has been awarded many noble honors by the Party and State of Viet Nam, such as the Ho Chi Minh Order, the First-Class Independence Medal, the Second-Class Independence Medal, and the Third-class Independence, and many other noble orders and medals. These honors belong to generations of staff, lecturers, and students of NAPA. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien extended his deep respect and gratitude to the former leaders, generations of lecturers, and staff who have been dedicated to the development of NAPA. He also extended his appreciation and trust to the generations of students who have been and are continuing to strive in their studies and research for the development of society and the construction of Viet Nam. Their efforts have increasingly enhanced the prestige and position of NAPA.

On behalf of the NAPA Association of Former Teachers, Prof.Dr. Nguyen Huu Khien congratulated NAPA on its 65th anniversary. According to him, NAPA has gone through many phases, both challenging and favorable. Regardless of the circumstances, NAPA leaders and staff have always united and successfully completed the tasks assigned by the Government and MoHA. Members of the Association of Former Teachers pay constant care for and support NAPA’s innovation and development, and they are always ready to assist NAPA when needed.

At the event, Mr. Pham Van Binh, a trainee of the senior official training course shared that as one of the students studying at NAPA, he was very delighted and excited about the clear prospects of NAPA’s development. With its achievements, NAPA will absolutely fulfill its mission and contribute to the development of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the home affairs sector, and the building of a professional, responsible, dynamic, and merit-based public service towards a democratic, professional, modern, streamlined, efficient, effective public administration which promotes integrity and development and serves the people. On behalf of NAPA trainees, would like to congratulate NAPA on its 65th anniversary and express their gratitude to the NAPA’s Board of Directors and lecturers who have wholeheartedly dedicated themselves to the career of the training of cadres, civil servants, and public employees.

Honored to represent the students at the 65^th anniversary celebration, student Le Thanh Loan expressed her emotions and pride in realizing her dreams and ambitions at NAPA. At NAPA, students receive attention and support from leaders of NAPA and faculties. On behalf of all NAPA students, Ms. Le Thanh Loan expressed gratitude to the NAPA Board of Directors, Deans, and faculty members, with a promise to do their best in their study and training, to promote the enthusiasm of youth: honesty, responsibility, passion, innovation, and creativity; to actively and proactively improve our knowledge and skills to train themselves and develop their careers. They will strive to follow the previous generations of NAPA students, continuing NAPA’s glorious tradition and becoming good citizens contributing to the community, homeland, and country, gaining the trust and expectations of NAPA faculties, families, and society, and especially to embody the distinctive characteristics of NAPA students “Intelligence – Quality – Modernity.”

On behalf of the CPV Designation Commission and leaders of MoHA, Minister of Home Affairs H.E. Pham Thi Thanh Tra acknowledged, praised, and highly appreciated the achievements and contributions of NAPA to the training cause of cadres, civil servants, and public employees for the state apparatus and political system of the country over the past 65 years. Through numerous stages, under various names, and amidst organizational and legal changes, NAPA has continued to evolve and mature, making a substantial contribution to the cause of national liberation and reunification in the past, as well as in the ongoing work of building and safeguarding the Fatherland.

In addition to NAPA’s contributions to training, the Minister also affirmed that NAPA’s team, consisting of lecturers, researchers and officials has grown both in numbers and in quality. It is the collective effort of generations of leaders, lecturers, researchers, and officials that have driven NAPA to develop in all aspects, particularly in human resource training, cadre development, and research in administrative science and public management.

On behalf of the CPV Designation Commission, Party Committee, and leaders of MoHA, H.E. Pham Thi Thanh Tra expressed her deep gratitude to generations of NAPA leaders, officials, lecturers, civil servants, and staff who have diligently cultivated and built a glorious and proud tradition of NAPA.

In the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which presents new demands with many difficulties and challenges ahead, NAPA has numerous advantages and opportunities to confidently enter a new phase of development. The Minister suggested that in the coming time, NAPA should focus on the following key tasks:

Firstly, NAPA needs to determine a strategic vision and a focus for development. This vision is built on the principles of taking quality and operational efficiency as the foundation, with learners at the center, and NAPA autonomy as the driving force. The goal is to enhance the role of innovation and creativity and to instill a strong desire for growth in every member of NAPA. NAPA collective needs to ignite the desire to become a prestigious center for training leaders and managers globally, through in-depth training and knowledge transfer programs.

Secondly, it is necessary to continue to grasp the spirit of the Central and Politburo Resolutions deeply and State documents on innovation and improving the quality of education and training. This is for the fundamental and comprehensive innovation of training at NAPA, modernizing and transforming training methods and technologies.

Thirdly, the NAPA’s commitment to innovation should be at the forefront of becoming a key higher education institution in public management and public policy, following innovative university models with the motto of in-depth science and innovation. Innovation is a core value in producing quality human resources.

Fourthly, it is essential to underscore the importance of investing in research tasks. The challenges posed by globalization, national development, and administrative reform are significant and demand answers. NAPA’s role is to concentrate on elucidating practical issues, swiftly resolving development problems and bottlenecks, and providing robust and persuasive scientific arguments for the planning process.

Fifthly, it is necessary to promote international cooperation activities that not only attract resources for developing and training lecturers but also open up opportunities to affirm NAPA’s capacity, exchange knowledge, and enrich management knowledge for humanity.

Sixthly, a significant objective is to elevate the quality of NAPA’s teaching staff. They should be deeply rooted in Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts and teachings. As Ho Chi Minh rightly pointed out, those involved in training and fostering cadres “must be a model in all aspects: ideology, ethics, working style” and “have to study further to be able to perform their training job.”

Seventh, NAPA needs to have a specific roadmap to develop the Digital Academy concept to modernize the training, contributing to eradicating the limitations of space and time in training and creating favorable conditions for officials, civil servants, public employees, students, and learners to access knowledge, training, and anytime, anywhere.

In response to the directives from Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien expressed his deepest gratitude to the leaders of the Party, the State, and MoHA for their continuous support and guidance to NAPA over the years. In particular, he extended his thanks to the Minister of Home Affairs for her unwavering attention to the development of NAPA. He sincerely thanked the Ministry of Education and Training, central ministries, departments, local agencies and organizations, units, training institutions, and international organizations for their support of NAPA’s activities. He expressed profound gratitude to the officials and local people who have supported NAPA during the harsh years of war and difficult periods, fostering deep bonds that endure through time.

With immersed pride in the NAPA’s history, with respect for previous generations, and a sense of responsibility for the development of NAPA in the new period, all NAPA staff, lecturers, and students are determined to innovate more strongly in all aspects of activities. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien pledged to use tradition as the foundation and embrace the spirit of responsibility, solidarity, and collective will for the common development of NAPA as the driving force and mutual value. Based on these shared values, NAPA is determined to successfully complete assigned tasks and strongly promote the role of the national training center for officials. This is to meet the demands of administrative reform and to build a professional and modern state administration serving the people during the period of accelerating industrialization, modernization, and regional integration.

Some photos at the event:

Participants of the 65th anniversary celebration of NAPA:

Musical performances: