The quality management models are derived from the manufacturing sector and gradually applied to education in general and higher education in particular. There are many quality management models applied by universities around the world such as Organizational Elements Model, ISO 9000, EFQM, TQM, PDCA, etc. The application of quality management models in management has helped universities to ensure and improve the quality of training, meeting the needs of learners and employers. In fact, choosing and applying a quality management model of universities depends on the perception and level of quality management of that unit. In order to ensure and improve the training quality of the school as well as to meet the increasing requirements of society and learners about the quality of training, universities in Vietnam in the past 10 years have started applying quality management models in management. The application of quality management models in management with the basic functions of quality management clearly shows an interest in management innovation at the university. To face the challenges and opportunities of that process of international integration in education, each country needs to find out for itself the policies and strategies necessary for higher education to best carry out its mission in the production, dissemination and application of knowledge, meeting the country's socio-economic development needs. In this context, the quality assurance (QA) of higher education (HE) institutions in Vietnam is currently an urgent issue that is highly concerned by the Party, State and society. The current quality of education and training shows that the implementation of QA of many HE institutions in Vietnam is still not commensurate with the requirements for quality and effectiveness of education. It has not been accessible to the current standards. Even a few higher education institutions do not really appreciate the implementation of QA at their establishments. Therefore, the implementation of QA is an urgent requirement to comprehensively improve the quality of education - training, scientific research and community service, creating its own identity and improving competitiveness in a global context of education. The paper addresses the quality management models that are commonly applied in university management, while also addressing the basics for applying quality management models to drive management innovation at universities in Vietnam today.