Ho Chi Minh City officially recognized as a UNESCO learning city

Ho Chi Minh City has recently become a part of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.

The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities consists of cities worldwide that effectively foster lifelong learning throughout their communities.

On March 30, Ho Chi Minh City authorities organized a ceremony to mark its official membership in the network.

This recognition was accompanied by the presentation of a certificate, signifying the Vietnamese city's commitment to promoting education and lifelong learning.

Data provided by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training revealed that the city boasts a comprehensive education system spanning across all 21 districts and Thu Duc City, comprising 5,726 educational institutions ranging from kindergartens to universities.

During her speech at the ceremony, Nguyen Thi Le, deputy secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and chairwoman of the People's Council, expressed her gratitude for the honor UNESCO bestowed upon the city.

She emphasized that this recognition reflects the world's acknowledgment of the city's policies, commitments, and efforts toward establishing a quality, equitable, and inclusive educational system, thereby enhancing lifelong learning opportunities for all residents of Vietnam, particularly those in Ho Chi Minh City.

Le expressed her belief that in collaboration with UNESCO and other members of the global network of learning cities, Ho Chi Minh City will continue to progress significantly, emerging as a leading educational hub in the region, garnering international acclaim and recognition.

"As a member of the Global Network of Learning Cities, Ho Chi Minh City is committed to ensuring that all residents have access to learning opportunities and to fostering close collaboration with other members," Le affirmed.

"Ho Chi Minh City is poised to lead the way toward a future where every resident is a digitally literate global citizen."

Jonathan Wallace Baker, chief representative of UNESCO in Vietnam, congratulated Ho Chi Minh City on its UNESCO recognition, stating that the UN agency believes the city's membership in the network of learning cities aligns with Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training's strategy to foster a learning society and promote lifelong learning nationwide from 2023 to 2030.

The city's vice-chairman Duong Anh Duc described the recognition as both an honor and a shared responsibility for the country, the community, all levels of government, and relevant governmental agencies in maintaining and further developing the title bestowed by UNESCO.

According to Duc, the 'Global Learning City' title not only represents an achieved goal but also marks the beginning of new endeavors for the city.

At the ceremony, Duc, on behalf of the city's leadership, launched an action plan aimed at establishing Ho Chi Minh City as a 'UNESCO Global Learning City (2024-2030).'

"We will continue to undergo significant transformations in building a learning city and a learning society to ensure that all residents have equal access to an open, diverse, flexible, and modern educational system by 2030," Duc asserted.

"This educational system will encompass various models, methods, approaches, and levels of training, with a particular focus on investing in high-quality workforce development that meets the requirements of international integration."

5 tasks suggested by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee after joining the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities

* Continuation of the implementation of education and training strategies and policies mandated by the Party and the central government

* Alignment of the learning city project with other ongoing learning initiatives

* Regular evaluation and assessment of the progress of learning projects

* Development of detailed content for learning projects through the establishment of relevant criteria tailored to each participating unit

* Emphasis on the adoption of information technology and digital transformation in educational practices