In 2019, the International Institute of Social Studies and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam established a joint PhD programme.
The agreement was renewed and updated in 2025.
As of April 2026, there are eight students pursuing their PhD projects under this programme while one has graduated.
Dr Thanh Tung Nguyen was the first to receive a PhD through this programme. He graduated on October 14, 2025 based on a thesis which investigated sovereign debt sustainability in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. All the essays from Dr Tung's thesis have been published in peer-reviewed journals.
Research lines
This four year programme enables candidates to conduct research along six research lines:
- Economics of households, firms and institutions
- Health and economic development
- Environmental and Resource Economics
- International economics, trade and investment
- Labor and educational economics
- Development Economics
Research location
Researchers are expected to spend at least 6 months during the course of the PhD trajectory at ISS. The public defence will take place at ISS.
Scholarships
PhD candidates are eligible for the annual UEH research grants or other grants available to UEH. Funding may also be available from Nafosted or MOET.