Vietnam National Academy of Music (the former Hanoi National Conservatory of Music) was founded in 1956 and has been the first and biggest professional music training institution of Vietnam and region, focusing on music performance, research and training. Professional music training covers from secondary level up to undergraduation, Master and Doctorate. Approximately 1800 students are now enrolled in about 40 different music courses and programs. Vietnam National Academy of Music (VNAM) is the unique institution to provide Doctorate music programs. A Vietnamese – Australian collaboration project for Master of Philosophy of Music in performance was approved. For over 50 years, VNAM graduates have contributed the majority of music performers, music teachers, musicologists, music composers and conductors of Vietnam. Many of them won high awards in national and international music competitions. VNAM annually sends its music teaching staff to cooperate with other music Academies and Conservatories in the country.