Wikipedia

University of Theatre and Cinema Ho Chi Minh City

The University of Theatre and Cinema Ho Chi Minh City[2] (Vietnamese: Trường Đại học Sân khấu – Điện ảnh Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh) is a public university in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Founded in 2009, the university provides further and higher education courses in performing arts and filmmaking. The institution is affiliated with and governed by Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The university is often seen as a leading film school in Vietnam.[3]

University of Theatre and Cinema Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnamese: Trường Đại học Sân khấu – Điện ảnh Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
Other name
SKDAHCM
Type
Established
  • 2009 - The University of Theater and Cinema Ho Chi Minh City
  • 1977 - Vietnam School of Cinema in Ho Chi Minh City
  • 1976 - School of Dramatic Arts II
AffiliationsMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
PresidentMerited Artist Lê Nguyên Đạt (2023-2028)
PrincipalDr Phạm Huy Quang
Location
125 Cống Quỳnh Road, Cầu Ông Lãnh ward
,
Ho Chi Minh City
,
Vietnam

10°46′N 106°42′E / 10.767°N 106.700°E / 10.767; 106.700
Campus
  • 4,282.4 m2 (1.0582 acres) or 3,832.4 m2 (0.9470 acres) [1]
  • Urban
LanguageVietnamese
Websiteskdahcm.edu.vn
Map

History

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The University of Theatre and Cinema Ho Chi Minh City was established in 2009 as a merger of two predecessor institutions - The Vietnam School of Cinema in Ho Chi Minh City (founded in 1977) and The School of Dramatic Arts II (founded in 1976).[4] Under the higher education system in Vietnam, the university is affiliated with and governed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, though it is a separate legal entity, with its own seal and financial account.[2] The university's founding charter was signed 13 October 2009 by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Thiện Nhân.[5]

Reputation

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Many of the university's alumni have gone on to become well-known figures in the entertainment industry in Vietnam (see Notable alumni).[6] In addition, its students and alumni have received national and global recognitions. In Vietnam, alumni of the university have been nominated for and won prestigious national awards such as the Kite Awards and the Golden Lotus Prize,[7][8][9] as well as receiving honorary titles of Merited Artist (Nghệ sĩ ưu tú) and People's Artist (Nghệ sĩ nhân dân).[6]

Students and alumni of the institution have also won recognitions at international film festivals. Some notable recent achievements are:

Preserving and promoting traditional Vietnamese theatre

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The university has an academic department dedicated to traditional Vietnamese musical theatre, with a special focus on Cải lương - a type of folk opera indigenous to Southern Vietnam.[16] As part of its initiatives to preserve this art form, students who enrol in a Cải lương programme would receive a 70% deduction in tuition fee, as well as receiving designated career support.[17][18] The university's work in Cải lương has received international recognition. In 2025, its production entitled Eclipse won four medals at China-ASEAN Theatre Week in Nanning, China.[19]

However, it has been suggested that more could be done in preserving traditional Vietnamese theatrical practices, including art forms other than Cải lương. One criticism of the university's Cải lương programme is that it only trains students in singing and performing but not script-writing.[20] Additionally, the university also no longer offers programmes in make-up and costume design, which has a knock-on impact on traditional theatres since they are important aspects of these genres.[21] Another shortcoming of the university's work in preserving traditional theatre lies in its difficulty in recruiting students wishing to study these art forms:[22] the application deadline for the Cải lương programme has had to be extended, for example.[17] The shortage of demand to study traditional theatre has also been said to stop the university, and other institutions, from offering specialist programmes. "The [Ho Chi Minh] City University of Theatre and Cinema does not have a major in hát bội because no one is currently pursuing this form of art. So it is impossible to have a degree in this classical opera genre", said a director of a major theatre in Ho Chi Minh City.[23]

Controversy

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As is the case for all universities in Vietnam, the university is subject to regular inspections by the Ministry of Education and Training. An inspection in 2025 criticised the university for the lack of highly qualified teaching staff with doctorate degrees, particularly in the Stage Directing and Cinematography departments, where no teaching staff held doctorate degrees. The inspection report also condemned the university's practice of employing teaching staff with only Master's and Bachelor's qualifications, whose level of expertise and experience was called into question. Additionally, the inspector also criticised poor administration at the university, where signatures for important paperwork were missing, and inconsistent record of university's campus size.[1]

Academic programmes

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As of 2025, the university offers bachelor's degrees (bằng cử nhân) in the following programmes:

The university also offers associate degrees (bằng cao đẳng), in the following fields:

Partner institutions

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The university has collaborated with a number of institutions around the world, including the following:

Campus life

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The university organises an annual pageantry-like competition for students, entitled "Elegant Students". The tradition started in 2005 (before the merger that led to the foundation of the university), and a special 20th anniversary edition of the competition was held between November 2025 and January 2026.[32]

Students at the university also benefits from events and seminars with guest speakers from the entertainment industry. Some recent guest speakers were Iranian director Reza Dormishian (in 2017)[33] and Vietnamese-American director Victor Vu (in 2025).[34] The university has also hosted a number of film festivals, notably the Ho Chi Minh City Short Film Festival in 2023[35][36] and the Italian Film Festival in 2024 and 2025 (in the latter of which the university was an official partner).[37][38]

Notable alumni

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This list includes alumni of the predecessor institutions, The National University of Filmmaking in Ho Chi Minh City and The University of Dramatic Arts II.

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References

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  1. 1 2 "Lacking PhDs, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Film Arts has assigned even bachelor's degree holders to lead departments". vietnam.vn. 2025-05-25. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  2. 1 2 "Trường Đại học Sân khấu - Điện ảnh Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh". bvhttdl.gov.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2026-01-18.
  3. ↑ "New opportunities for Vietnamese cinema: A journey of integration and development". Vietnam Film Development. 13 January 2026. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
  4. ↑ "Lịch sử hình thành - Trường Đại học Sân khấu - Điện ảnh Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh". skdahcm.edu.vn (in Vietnamese). 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
  5. ↑ "Quyết định số 1597/QĐ-TTG của Thủ tướng Chính phủ: Về việc thành lập Trường Đại học Sân khấu - Điện ảnh thành phố Hồ Chí Minh". chinhphu.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  6. 1 2 "Artists and their students reunited after 49 years, amidst tears and smiles". vietnam.vn. 2024-07-30. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  7. ↑ ""Mai" wins Best Feature Film at Golden Kite Awards 2024". asemconnectvietnam.gov.vn. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  8. ↑ "Winners of Golden Kite Awards 2024 honoured". Nhan Dan Online (in Vietnamese). 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  9. ↑ "The film "Red Rain" excellently won 3 Golden Kite Awards in 2025". vietnam.vn. 2026-01-15. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  10. 1 2 "Asian Film Awards 2025 to champion next generation of directing talent". Screen. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  11. ↑ "Vietnamese star Vo Dien Gia Huy wins Special Jury Award at US film festival". Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus) (in Vietnamese). 2025-07-31. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  12. ↑ Wong, Silvia (2021-09-08). "Vietnamese Filmmaker Le Binh Giang on His New Film "Who Created Human Beings" and Vietnam's Growing Film Industry". Motion Picture Association. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  13. ↑ "VN filmmaker wins Hollywood trip". VietNamNet News. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  14. ↑ "Movie starring Vietnamese actress wins prizes at Oxford Int'l Short Film Festival". Tuoi tre news (in Vietnamese). 2019-03-28. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  15. ↑ "Vietnamese actress debuts in Cannes as producer". Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus) (in Vietnamese). 2018-05-18. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  16. 1 2 "Khoa kịch hát, dân tộc - Trường Đại học Sân khấu - Điện ảnh Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh". skdahcm.edu.vn (in Vietnamese). 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
  17. 1 2 Thuy, Trang (2023-08-17). "The Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Film has extended the application deadline for the College-level Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) Acting program". vietnam.vn. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  18. ↑ "HCMC City school offers cải lương training course for people of all ages". vietnamnews.vn. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  19. ↑ "Four gold medals for Vietnam at China-ASEAN Theatre Week". VOV.VN. 2025-11-03. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  20. ↑ Thuy, Binh; Tan, Nghia (2020-08-21). "Cai luong theater lacks new songwriters". SGGP English Edition. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  21. ↑ "Costume designers face tough times". Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus) (in Vietnamese). 2016-09-13. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  22. ↑ Nam, Báo Pháp Luật Việt (2025-12-07). "Building an elite workforce for the cultural industry". vietnam.vn. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  23. ↑ "Traditional art forms need protection, support from the state: experts". vietnamnews.vn. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  24. 1 2 "Thông báo tuyển sinh đại học chính quy năm 2025 - Trường Đại học Sân khấu - Điện ảnh Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh". skdahcm.edu.vn (in Vietnamese). 2025-05-23. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
  25. 1 2 "Khoa sân khấu - Trường Đại học Sân khấu - Điện ảnh Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh". skdahcm.edu.vn (in Vietnamese). 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
  26. 1 2 3 "Khoa Điện ảnh - Truyền hình - Trường Đại học Sân khấu - Điện ảnh Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh". skdahcm.edu.vn (in Vietnamese). 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
  27. ↑ "Thông báo tuyển sinh đại học vừa làm vừa học năm 2025 - Trường Đại học Sân khấu - Điện ảnh Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh". skdahcm.edu.vn (in Vietnamese). 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
  28. 1 2 "Thông báo tuyển sinh đại học chính quy tài năng năm 2025 - Trường Đại học Sân khấu - Điện ảnh Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh". skdahcm.edu.vn (in Vietnamese). 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
  29. 1 2 "Khoa thiết kế mỹ thuật - nhiếp ảnh - Trường Đại học Sân khấu - Điện ảnh Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh". skdahcm.edu.vn (in Vietnamese). 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
  30. ↑ "University of Theatre and Cinema Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam_The Central Academy of Drama_University,of,Theatre,and,Cinema,Ho,Chi,Minh,City,Vietnam". en.chntheatre.edu.cn. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
  31. ↑ "HỢP TÁC GIỮA TRƯỜNG ĐH SÂN KHẤU - ĐIỆN ẢNH TP. HCM VÀ TRƯỜNG ĐÀO TẠO SAU ĐẠI HỌC NỘI DUNG PHIM ẢNH DANKOOK HÀN QUỐC - Trường Đại học Sân khấu - Điện ảnh Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh". skdahcm.edu.vn (in Vietnamese). 2017-01-10. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  32. ↑ "Launching the "Elegant Student 2025–2026" Contest of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Film". vietnam.vn. 2025-11-09. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  33. ↑ "Iranian film directors to give workshops in HCM City". SGGP English Edition. 2017-12-05. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  34. ↑ "Chương trình giao lưu "Thám tử Kiên - từ kịch bản đến phim trường"". Trang chủ - Thành phố điện ảnh. 2025-05-17. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  35. ↑ "Short Film Festival in HCM CITY kicks off on October 27". vietnamnews.vn. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  36. ↑ Thu, Huong (27 October 2023). "Opening Ceremony of the Ho Chi Minh City Short Film Festival 2023". Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  37. ↑ "Italian Film Festival opens in HCM City". vietnamnews.vn. 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  38. ↑ Van, Ha (2025-10-26). "The film competing for the 2025 Oscars will be screened at the Italian Film Festival in Ho Chi Minh City". Việt Báo. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  39. ↑ "Hot boy nổi loạn Hồ Vĩnh Khoa thích lột bỏ vẻ ngoài điềm đạm". Vietnam Television (in Vietnamese). 17 October 2013. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  40. 1 2 Lê, Hiền (2024-09-22). "Director Minh Ngọc On Preserving Vietnamese Performing Arts For Future Generations". Vietcetera. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
  41. ↑ "Actress Hong Dao: Still acting at this age is a blessing". vietnam.vn. 2025-08-03. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  42. ↑ "Explore the inner thoughts of contemporary women through the Spring Lake". news.laodong.vn. 2025-03-01. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  43. ↑ Nguyen, Thuc Thuy Tien (23 December 2024). "Beauty and influence: Vietnam's most-followed beauty queens". VietNamNet News. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
  44. ↑ "Vietnamese beauty lives in a villa with two street frontages in the most expensive area of Ho Chi Minh City; at 35, she remains single despite her wealth". vietbao.vn. 8 June 2025. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
  45. ↑ Võ, Rachel (2024-07-01). "Actress Phương Anh Đào's 5-Year Journey Defining Success". Vietcetera. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  46. ↑ "Vietnamese showbiz's young talents". Nhan Dan Online (in Vietnamese). 2019-02-09. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  47. ↑ "Victor Vũ announces new movie celebrating his 20 years in cinema". vietnamnews.vn. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  48. ↑ "The career and secret marriage of the actor who was twice cast as Inspector Kien". news.laodong.vn. 2025-05-05. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  49. ↑ Mai, Nhat (22 February 2023). "Vietnamese comedian turns box office hitmaker". VNExpress. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  50. ↑ "Vietnamese star Vo Dien Gia Huy wins Special Jury Award at US film festival". Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus). 2025-07-31. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
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