Congratulations to Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại on being awarded the Ordre des Palmes académiques by the French Government

On 3 February 2026, H.E. Olivier Brochet, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to to the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam, officially announced the conferment of the Ordre des Palmes académiques, at the rank of Chevalier (Knight), upon Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại, Vice Rector of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law (ULAW).

Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại presiding over a conference

A distinction marked by historical prestige

The Ordre des Palmes académiques is one of the most prestigious and enduring honorary distinctions of France. Established by Emperor Napoleon I in 1808, it was originally created to recognize distinguished members of the French University system. More than two centuries later, it remains the oldest surviving non-military decoration of the French Republic.

Today, the distinction is awarded not only to individuals within the French educational system but also to international scholars and professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the dissemination of French language, culture, and academic knowledge worldwide.

Recognition of sustained contributions

According to the decree signed by the Prime Minister of France on 29 December 2025, Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại was honored for his significant contributions to strengthening legal and academic cooperation between France and Việt Nam. Ambassador Olivier Brochet emphasized:

“His commitment and dynamism have been decisive in enhancing legal cooperation between the two countries, particularly through exchanges among experts, academics, and students that have helped invigorate the Francophone legal community in Việt Nam.”

Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại attending a graduation ceremony of ULAW students

Profile of a distinguished scholar and educator

Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại is widely recognized as a leading figure in legal scholarship, with an impressive academic and professional record:

  • Academic training in France: He completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and successfully defended his doctoral dissertation with distinction at Aix-Marseille III University (French Republic).
  • A bridge of academic exchange: As Vice Rector and lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, he has directly taught and supervised numerous generations of undergraduate and graduate students within joint academic programs with leading French institutions such as the University of Tours and Université Paul Cézanne.

    Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại at a meeting session at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law 

  • International academic reputation: He has been invited on multiple occasions as a visiting professor at Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas, the University of Tours (France), and the Royal University of Law and Economics of Cambodia.
  • Professional and institutional contributions: In addition to his teaching and research activities, he serves as an arbitrator and Vice Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC), and as a member of the Advisory Council on Case Law of the Supreme People’s Court of Việt Nam.

The conferment of the rank of Chevalier upon Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại represents not only a personal distinction but also a significant honor for the academic community of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, reaffirming the University’s standing within international legal and educational networks.

The Embassy of France is expected to hold an official investiture ceremony in the near future to formally recognize the Professor’s sustained contributions.

Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại together with the leadership of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law (ULAW)

Extensive media coverage of the award

In recent days, the announcement by the Embassy of France regarding the conferment of the Ordre des Palmes académiques (Chevalier) upon Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại has attracted considerable attention from major news agencies and media outlets.

Receiving France’s oldest non-military decoration represents not only a distinguished personal achievement for Professor Đỗ Văn Đại but also a source of pride for the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law and for the broader Francophone community in Việt Nam.

🗞️ Press coverage

1.     Phap Luat TP.HCM Newspaper (Ho Chi Minh City Law Newspaper)
https://plo.vn/gs-ts-do-van-dai-nhan-huan-chuong-canh-co-han-lam-cua-phap-post895297.html

2.     Thanh Nien News
https://thanhnien.vn/mot-giao-su-viet-nam-duoc-trao-huan-chuong-canh-co-han-lam-cua-phap-185260209211924348.htm

3.     Dan Tri News
https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/giao-su-que-bac-ninh-nhan-huan-chuong-canh-co-han-lam-cua-phap-20260209205848170.htm

4.     VnExpress
https://vnexpress.net/hieu-pho-dh-luat-tp-hcm-nhan-huan-chuong-canh-co-han-lam-5039368.html

5.     Education & Times Newspaper
https://giaoducthoidai.vn/giao-su-viet-nam-nhan-huan-chuong-canh-co-han-lam-cua-phap-post767049.html

6.     An Giang Newspaper
https://baoangiang.com.vn/mot-giao-su-viet-nam-duoc-trao-huan-chuong-canh-co-han-lam-cua-phap-a476540.html

7.     Capital Education Newspaper (Giao Duc Thu Do)
https://giaoducthudo.giaoducthoidai.vn/giao-su-viet-nam-nhan-huan-chuong-canh-co-han-lam-cua-phap-202719.html

8.     VietNamNet
https://vietnamnet.vn/giao-su-do-van-dai-duoc-tang-huan-chuong-hiep-si-cua-phap-2489325.html

Prepared by: Department of Communications and Enterprise Relation