German university goes global: KLU welcomed first students in Vietnam
The management university Kühne Logistics University (KLU) based in Hamburg has successfully opened its new campus in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Nearly 30 students took up their studies on the campus of KLU’s partner - Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT). Teaching is hosted at KLU’s partner institution, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), while KLU’s representative office is based in the prestigious Deutsches Haus, also home to the German Consulate General, the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK), the Goethe Institute, and several other renowned German organizations and companies.
The new presence in Vietnam marks a significant step in expanding KLU’s global presence in logistics and management education. “Our Saigon campus is envisioned as a regional hub, supporting capacity building – especially in logistics and supply chain management, but also in business management, data science, and leadership—across Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and the broader Asian continent, in line with KLU’s mission to empower global leaders with a strong Operations Mindset,” says KLU president Prof. Andreas Kaplan.
KLU Saigon – innovative partnerships and talent in South-East Asia
Students in Saigon, the dynamic business hub of Ho Chi Minh City, take part in a joint Master’s program in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management. The program is offered in cooperation with the highly reputable and internationally recognized Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT) and was granted official accreditation in November 2024.
“We are building a vibrant, diverse community here in Saigon,” says Dr. Viet Dung Trinh, KLU Saigon Campus Director. “Whether you’re a student seeking world-class education or a company looking for innovative partnerships and talent, KLU Saigon is your place to go. The strong interest from partners and prospective students underlines how much potential there is for an institution like KLU in this part of the world.”
Education as shared culture
The first day on campus began with a cultural immersion, a private screening of “Red Rain”, the current blockbuster breaking records in Vietnamese cinemas." For our students, it was an opportunity to learn more about Vietnam’s history and values”, says Prof. Arne Heinold, Academic Director of the Master's in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management Vietnam. “At KLU, learning goes beyond the classroom – it’s also about connecting across cultures and creating shared moments.”
The launch of the first Master’s follows the strategic partnership signed in May 2024 between KLU and HCMUT. With the main place of study being Saigon, students will have the chance to experience an exchange semester at KLU Campus in Hamburg, Germany, and benefit from shared teaching from the faculties of KLU and HCMUT. In the future, Campus Saigon will continue to grow, with additional English-taught study programs, joint research projects, and academic events already in development.
Grand Opening on 28 October – Building a new campus in just 1.5 years
The new campus emerged in only 1.5 years based on intense research, networking, and accreditation work with authorities in Hamburg and Saigon. Through a series of high-level events KLU has already established a visible academic presence in Vietnam including its participation in the Green Economy Forum & Exhibition (GEFE), a research symposium on sustainable supply chains, and a paper development workshop in collaboration with the Academy of Management Journal, laying the groundwork for further regional collaboration.
The official grand opening of the campus will take place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in Saigon. Among those expected to attend are KLU President Prof. Andreas Kaplan and Dr. Immo Schmidt-Jortzig, Executive Director of Administration and Managing Director of KLU, as well as Dr. Jörg Dräger, Executive Director of the Kühne Foundation and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of KLU, and Dr. Thomas Staehelin, Vice President of the Kühne Foundation and Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of KLU, are expected to attend.
