While research on the relationship between leadership and organizational citizenship behaviours (OCBs) is well-established, empirical knowledge on the influence of benevolent leadership on OCBs through the mediating role of leader-member exchange, particularly in the context of educational management, remains scarce. Moreover, discussion is still limited on benevolent leadership in a Confucian-based culture like Vietnam, as well as the distinction between the two types of academic staff OCBs, namely OCBs directed to the organization (termed as OCBO) and OCBs directed to individuals (termed as OCBI). Based on survey data collected from 333 lecturers in Vietnamese universities, the analysis results confirm the mediating effect of leader-member exchange on the linkages from benevolent leadership to both OCBO and OCBI. University leaders with benevolence can motivate academic staff to engage in extra-role behaviours that benefit not only the organization but also other colleagues and students through nurturing a good quality leader-member exchange.