The National Economics University was established by the Decree No. 678-TTg of the Prime Minister dated January 25, 1956. The forerunner of the National Economics University was the College of Finance and Economics which operated within the Vietnam People's University System under the Prime Minister's Palace. On May 22, 1958, the name of the University was changed into the University of Finance and Economics by the Decree No. 252-TTg of the Prime Minister of the same day. It was under the management of the then Ministry of Education. In January 1965, the University was renamed the University of Economics and Planning. On October 22, 1985 the Minister of Higher and Secondary Vocational Education renamed the University "National Economics University" by the Decision No. 1443/Q§-KH. Since then, it was recognized as one of the leading universities in Vietnam.