1. From the Philology University Committee and the Science University Committee to the Pedagogy of Philology University Committee and the Pedagogy of Science University Committee: The Initial Foundations (1945-1950)

• On October 10, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh signed decree No. 45 of the Provisional People's Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam establishing the Philology University Committee and the Science University Committee, with the task of "educating professors at the Philology University Committee ".
• On October 8, 1946, the Government issued decree No. 194/SL on establishing pedagogy, accordingly:

The pedagogy is divided into three levels:

+ Primary pedagogy trains male and female teachers for basic education

+ Intermediate pedagogy trains teachers for experimental education, upper secondary, and primary pedagogy

+ Advanced pedagogy training teachers for professional level and specialized in secondary education

• On July 19, 1948, in order to resume the training of higher educators, the Ministry of National Education issued decree 123-ND establishing the Pedagogy of Philology University Committee and the Pedagogy of Science University Committee.

2. Higher pedagogical school and preparatory school – advanced pedagogical school: Cradles of  the pedagogical university in Vietnam (1951-1954)

• From July 1950, the First Educational Reform was carried out. According to the new framework, the education system is divided into four levels: general, common, vocational, and university.
• From 1950-1951, the pedagogical school system at all levels was formed.
• On October 11, 1951, according to decree No. 276-ND of the Ministry of National Education, an Advanced Pedagogical school was established in Chiem Hoa district (Tuyen Quang province), with the aim of training high school teachers.
• Also on October 11, 1951, according to decree No. 277/ND of the Ministry of National Education, the Preparatory School was established on interregional Road 4.

• 11/10/1951: The foundation of Hanoi National University of Education

3. Philology University of Education and Science University of Education: Training educators at high school, building scientific and technical staff (1954-1956)

• The teaching staff of Philology University of Education and Science University of Education in the period 1954-1956 gathered most of the elite of higher intellectuals.
• In late 1955, implementing the policy of strengthening the university system, the Ministry of Education officially established the Philology University of Education and Science University of Education. On November 8, 1955, the schools officially opened.
• Although it has existed for just over two years, the Philology University of Education and Science University of Education has served as a training institution for teaching staff and teachers mainly for the Universities.

4. Hanoi National University of Education: Building a role model of Pedagogical University, the main unit of Northern education (1956-1967)

• Implementing the policy of building and completing the higher education system, on June 4, 1956, the Government issued Decision No. 2184/TC establishing five universities, by which the University of Education and General University were established mainly on the background of two universities of Philology University of Education and Science University of Education.
• On August 13, 1958, the Ministry of Education issued Decree No. 588/ND, unifying the three universities which are the University of Education, the National Intermediate University of Education, and Foreign Language University. Hanoi National University of Education has received the facilities, staff, and students of National Intermediate University of Education at Km 8 Hanoi – Son Tay Street (now No. 36, Xuan Thuy Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi) and the staff and students of University of Languages & International Studies.
• In 1962, officially changed its name to Hanoi National University of Education.
• From 1956 to 1965, Hanoi National University of Education trained and fostered nearly 10,000 teachers. These are the initial human resources for the development of the education system at primary schools and high schools, teacher fostering schools, and educational administrators in the provinces.
• The university was honored many times to welcome President Ho Chi Minh to visit and talk with staff and students: the first time on November 14, 1955, the second time on May 23, 1957 (at the University campus on Le Thanh Tong Street), the third time on 04/03/1960, the fourth time on October 21, 1964 (in Tu Liem district,  Hanoi). On his fourth visit, Uncle Ho said, “…This university must not only be an institution for teachers but must also be a university of norms for the entire country…”.

5. Hanoi National University of Education, Hanoi Pedagogical University, and University of Languages & International Studies: continued to carry out the duties in the context of the evacuation war (1967-1975)

• On August 14, 1967, based on the task of education in war circumstances, the Government Council issued decision 128/CP on dividing HNUE into 3 universities: Hanoi National University of Education (I), Hanoi Pedagogical University (II) and University of Languages & International Studies.
• The training program for the period 1967-1975 also gradually changed. The 4-year training program was implemented massively from 1971-1972.
• Since 1970, the first doctoral dissertations have been successfully defended in Vietnam and at the Hanoi National University of Education and Hanoi Pedagogical University
•  Since 1972, many educators and students of Hanoi National University of Education, and the Hanoi Pedagogical University have joined the army on the Southern battlefield.

6. Hanoi National University of Education: completing the school organization, supporting the Southern educational institute, and building the Key and Standard for Hanoi National University of Education (1975-1993)

• On October 11, 1975, according to Decision No. 672/QD of the Ministry of Education, HNUE officially became a pedagogical university with a full range of faculties of social sciences and natural sciences, directly under the Ministry of Education.
• Having been reorganized, HNUE has made major changes in organizational structure and type of training; A number of new faculties and departments were established: Faculty of Biology, Faculty of English Language, Faculty of Information Technology, Faculty of Military. The university also receives training tons of students and trainees from Laos and Cambodia.
• In 1977,  HNUE was officially recognized as one of six institutions with a full-time Ph.D. program (four years) and an in-service training program (five years).
• From the late 1970s and 1980s, the field of international cooperation of HNUE has been increasingly strengthened and expanded.
• In the period 1975-1986, HNUE trained and provided for education and some other disciplines 10,968 bachelors, 53 associate doctorates, and more than 1000 postgraduate students.
• In 1986, HNUE was recognized by the Council of Ministers as one of the six vital universities in the country.
• The field of scientific science was valued and achieved significant achievements from the late 80s – early 90s of the XX century.

7. Hanoi National University of Education: A member of Vietnam National University (1993-1999)

• On December 10, 1993, the Government issued decree No. 97/CP establishing Vietnam National University, under the direction of the Government, including 3 member schools: Hanoi National University of Education, University of Languages and International Studies, and University of Hanoi.
• In 1994, the Faculty of Mathematics was changed into the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics.
• In March 1995, HNUE officially became a member school of VNU and changed its name to the University of Education – Hanoi National University. In July 1998, Nguyen Tat Thanh Lower and Upper Secondary School was established.
• Science and technology activities had substantial changes.
• The facilities and landscape of HNUE have changed significantly.

8. Hanoi National University of Education: continues to become a vital pedagogical university in the new century (1999-2021).

• Implementing the Resolution of the 2^nd Conference of the Party Central Committee (VIII session), the Government has a policy of building a number of key universities, on October 12, 1999, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 201/1999/QD-TTg separating HNUE from VNU and remaining the name Hanoi National University of Education.
• The scale and type of training have been expanding. The university also established tons of fresh faculties such as the Faculty of Special Education, Faculty of Physical Education, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Information Technology, Faculty of Vietnamese Studies, Faculty of Education Management, and Faculty of Social Work.
• 2009: Improved High School for Gifted Students, Hanoi National University of Education.
• HNUE established a number of new centers, research institutes, and offices: Research and Educational Resources Center (2000), Pedagogical Research Center (2001), University of Education Publishing House (2002), Center for Testing and Quality Assurance, Informatics Center (2005), Graduate Office, Office for Science and Technology Management, Social Science Institute (2007), Center for Research and Teacher Professional Development (2017).
• In 2015: HNUE received the facilities and staff and lecturers of Ha Nam Pedagogical College, transformed into a branch of the university in Ha Nam province; gradually established Nguyen Tat Thanh Primary School, Nguyen Tat Thanh Secondary School and Nguyen Tat Thanh High School in Hanam
• By 2021, there will be 23 faculties, one department, one branch, one lower and upper high school, one primary school, and one preschool at HNUE. Moreover, there are 43 undergraduate programs, including 27 pedagogical programs and 16 non-pedagogical programs.