Ha Noi joins UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities
VGP - Ha Noi has been officially admitted to UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), joining 72 cities from 46 countries recognized on December 4 for their strong commitment to promoting lifelong learning.
Illustration photo
The new members include 11 capital cities such as Ha Noi (Viet Nam), Porto-Novo (Benin), Bissau (Guinea-Bissau), Lusaka (Zambia), Cairo (Egypt), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Lisbon (Portugal), Ankara (Türkiye), Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Caracas (Venezuela).
Thirteen countries joined the network for the first time, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Chile, Cyprus, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Lithuania, Mongolia, Niger, Turkmenistan, the US, Venezuela, and Zambia.
According to UNESCO, Learning Cities integrate learning into everyday life and offer pathways for all—from reskilling and upskilling workers to meet rapidly evolving labor market demands, to providing literacy programs, equipping citizens with digital and AI-era skills, and fostering entrepreneurship.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO Ngo Le Van said Ha Noi's admission reflects efforts to advance the Party and State's policies on lifelong learning and building a learning society.
Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to UNESCO, called the recoggnition a shared achievement for Ha Noi and Viet Nam, highlighting it as another milestone in the country's cooperation with UNESCO. The move aligns with Viet Nam's plan on international integration in education and training through 2030, approved in December 2024, and the Politburo's Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW dated August 22, 2025, on breakthroughs in education and training.
Previously, Sa Dec and Cao Lanh (Dong Thap province), Vinh (Nghe An province), Son La (Son La province), and Ho Chi Minh City were also admitted to UNESCO's Global Network of Learning Cities.
The Temple of Literature, one of Viet Nam’s first universities
Ha Noi’s journey to Global Recognition
Ha Noi’s inclusion in the GNLC reflects years of strategic planning and policy action aimed at fostering a lifelong learning culture.
Lifelong Learning Vision: The city’s roadmap, guided by municipal resolutions and education plans through 2045, emphasizes learning across all segments of society — from individuals and families to communities and institutions. uil.unesco.org
Community Learning Infrastructure: With hundreds of community learning centers and thousands of cultural houses, Ha Noi has expanded opportunities for literacy, digital skills, vocational training, and personal enrichment. uil.unesco.org
Innovative Models: Initiatives such as “Happy Schools,” performing arts integration, and intergenerational learning networks encourage education beyond formal classrooms and strengthen community engagement. uil.unesco.org.
Equity and Inclusion: Programs addressing women’s empowerment, youth leadership, and support for marginalized groups demonstrate Ha Noi’s commitment to inclusive learning. uil.unesco.org.
These efforts not only built a strong domestic foundation but also aligned the city with international standards for learning cities.
By joining the GNLC, Ha Noi joins a global community of cities that see lifelong learning not just as an educational goal, but as a strategic asset for resilient futures. This recognition highlights the city’s long-term vision of building a knowledge society that embraces learning at every age, across every community, and in every facet of urban life./.
