Implementing Sustainability in Higher Education Training at the University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam is an early adopter of sustainable development in policy, although still faces many challenges regarding implementation, especially in relation to higher education. This chapter reviews the effectiveness of top-down policies, supervisions, and monitoring regarding sustainable development deployment in higher education. Taking the example of the University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City in responding to top-down sustainable development policies, which enable the development and modifications of its training programs, the chapter highlights how a bottom-up approach can actively respond to global challenges. Focused on curriculum reform, the case shows that integrating sustainability in the curriculum, learning outcomes and program deliverables is crucial to achieving better outcomes in higher education training and in the profession after graduation. Finally, the chapter links sustainable development with creativity to argue against the separation of these two policies and suggests that national and institutional partnerships are a way forward to integrate relevant sustainable development targets for achieving outcomes and greater impact.