[UEH 50 Years] Hall A116: The Untold Impressions of a Heritage Space
30 June, 2026
For over half a century, hundreds of thousands of students, learners, lecturers, and staff at UEH have passed through the doors of Hall A116. Some remember it as the venue for their freshman orientation, others as the setting for their graduation ceremony, and still others recall a competition, a performance, or a significant conference held within its walls. Yet behind those familiar rows of seats lie many untold stories – stories that have contributed to making this a special heritage space of UEH.
Some places do not just hold memories of people, but also of time itself
For nearly 50 years, countless generations of UEHers have walked through the doors of A116. Some recall it only as the hall for opening and graduation ceremonies or student competitions. Others remember a familiar row of seats, a corner of the stage, or the sight of their parents’ eyes from the gallery on graduation day.
But A116 is much more than that.
Few know that this hall has undergone three renovations, has witnessed nearly 300 international scholars gather in one place, holds the journey of over 280,000 UEH alumni, and once hosted a concert so emotionally charged that it caused 84 chairs to break.
Those are the moments that made student life so vivid. Each number represents a “slice” of history, and each story is a piece of the puzzle that forms the heritage space that has accompanied UEH for nearly half a century.
Hundreds of thousands of students have passed through; every corner of A116 quietly holds a story of growth
Behind the layers of history, A116 remains ever-present, preserving the youth and aspirations of generations
The seats of A116 hold the proud gazes of teachers and the happy smiles of graduates on commencement day
More than 280,000 alumni began and ended their university journey at A116
Few spaces at UEH have witnessed a learner’s entire journey as completely as Hall A116.
For many generations of students, this was where they attended their freshman orientation, the opening ceremony, and initial orientation programs. It was also here that, after years of study and growth, they returned to receive their diplomas, closing one chapter of their university lives and opening another.
From the earliest cohorts to the present day, over 280.000 UEH alumni have passed through the doors of this hall during the most significant milestones of their university years. If each person spent only a few hours in A116, this place has collectively held millions of hours of memories for the UEH community over nearly half a century.
In the article “Forever a Pride in My Heart” published in the UEH Newsletter No. 147, author Hanh Duyen once wrote about her first time stepping into A116 with simple emotions:
“I came to UEH with a perfect ‘zero’ at the starting point, which was A116. With the freshest feelings of a girl first meeting UEH, I gently pushed open the wooden door and stepped into a new world…”
That is perhaps the shared feeling of many a UEHer.
Some still vividly remember where they sat during freshman orientation. Others recall the nervousness of stepping onto the stage for the first time to present. And some chose to capture the look in their parents’ eyes from the gallery on graduation day.
Among the thousands of ceremonies held here, what has been preserved is not just the programs or events, but the moments marking each person’s growth.
That is why, for many UEHers, A116 is not just where their university journey began, but where a beautiful chapter of their youth came to a close.
The learning journey of many UEH students began simply in this familiar space
The seats in A116 during the orientation ceremony hold the first emotions of the university journey
From the shyness of the first day to the radiant smile of graduation, A116 silently witnessed the complete growth of each learner
84 chairs once broke during a K20 concert – a little-known anecdote of UEH’s youth
For decades, this hall has been the familiar stage for academic competitions, career-oriented events, and student movement activities such as Dynamic – Future Business Student, CFO Leadership, Startup Zone, Potential CPA, Sea to Sea, the Informatics Olympiad, and the Marxist-Leninist and Ho Chi Minh Thought Olympiad. Over the years, these traditional competitions alone have attracted nearly 70.000 student participants tand supporters.
Yet, among the many memories, one story is still recounted by generations of Youth Union and Student Association members as a “legend” of UEH’s youth.
That is the concert welcoming the K20 freshmen.
The electrifying atmosphere of the event made the entire hall seem to shake. The singing, the cheering, and the endless applause created such an unforgettable night that 84 wooden chairs in the hall broke.
Looking back today, that story is no longer mentioned as an accident. It is recalled as a testament to the spirit of UEH’s youth – passionate, wholehearted, and full of energy. That is also what makes A116 special. This hall has not only witnessed victories but also the growth of tens of thousands of students.
Every event leaves its own mark, and the energy of youth is part of the memory that A116 has preserved over time
The distinguished guests who have graced A116
Over nearly 50 years, this hall has hosted many of the university’s most significant events, from anniversary celebrations, conferences, congresses, and graduation ceremonies to national and international academic and diplomatic programs.
In 2016, during the 40th Anniversary Celebration of UEH, A116 had the honor of welcoming President Tran Dai Quang, along with leaders of the Party and State, various ministries, local authorities, and representatives of diplomatic missions, who joined the university in celebration. This was not only a major event for UEH but also marked the increasingly affirmed standing of a public university on its path of development and integration.
This space has also welcomed many international delegations, including consuls general, ambassadors, and leaders from universities and educational organizations from Laos, the Czech Republic, Cambodia, Finland, Taiwan (China), Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and many other countries on occasions of cooperation, graduation ceremonies, signing ceremonies, and academic exchanges.
A116 was also the gathering place for nearly 300 cholars, professors, and editors-in-chief of leading international scientific journals as part of the 31st Asian Finance Association (AsianFA) Annual Meeting in 2019 – the first time this prestigious academic event was held in Vietnam. The Vietnam Festival of Learning 2019 was also held here, opening a forum for dialogue on lifelong learning with the participation of domestic and international experts.
More notably, many internationally influential scholars, such as Prof. Joseph F. Hair Jr., Prof. Neil Quigley, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yi-Chen Lan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Viet Liem… have stepped onto the A116 stage to receive honorary doctorates from UEH – a symbol of the connection between Vietnamese knowledge and the global academic community.
Looking back over nearly half a century, A116 is where the first memories of many generations of learners are preserved, while also witnessing UEH’s journey of gradually expanding connections with international partners. Every guest who came here brought an opportunity for cooperation; every conference opened a new academic bridge; every ceremony marked another milestone on the university’s path of internationalization.
A116 was the venue for large-scale academic exchanges involving international scholars
The presence of nearly 300 professors and experts from around the world at A116 opened valuable knowledge-sharing forums for the university
The medals were presented on stage, but behind them lies the dedication of generations of UEHers
On the stage of A116, UEH has had the honor of receiving many of the Party and State’s highest awards, such as the Labor Order in various grades, the Independence Order, the title of Labor Hero, and many other important emulation titles. This is also where UEH’s Trade Union, Youth Union, and Student Association were presented with Labor Orders over the course of the university’s development.
A116 witnessed the moments recognizing the contributions of the entire UEH collective across generations
Some spaces are remembered for their architectural beauty. Others are remembered for the people who passed through them. For UEH, A116 is one such place. For nearly 50 years, this hall has preserved hundreds of thousands of stories from multiple generations. And that journey will continue to be written, as a heritage space prepares to turn a new page!
A116 memories in numbers50+ years 280.000+ 1.200 3 300+ 84 Share your memories with A116 – Preserving a heritage of memories |
News, images: Department of Communications and Partnerships
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