The forum, themed "Lifelong Learning to Become Useful Individuals," was attended by the Head Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam, Jonathan Wallace Baker, Vice Chairwoman of Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha, among others. In his opening speech, Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, Tran The Cuong, emphasized that Hanoi's education sector has clearly defined its pioneering role in spreading the spirit of lifelong learning. 

Overview of the event. 

Educational institutions from preschool to high school, continuing education, and vocational training have actively innovated teaching methods, focusing on developing students' self-study capabilities, research skills, life skills, and lifelong learning habits. They have also continuously improved the quality of teachers and educational administrators—those who serve as "inspirers" on the never-ending learning journey of the younger generation.

The Hanoi Department of Education and Training committed to continuing its core role in advising, coordinating, and implementing lifelong learning activities in a practical and effective manner through 2025. It will proactively collaborate with departments, agencies, and relevant units to achieve the goal of making Hanoi a member of UNESCO's Global Network of Learning Cities by 2025. 

Expressing the city's determination to become a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, Vice Chairwoman Vu Thu Ha affirmed that, with a tradition of valuing education and respecting teachers, Hanoi always considers education and human development as the foundation for sustainable development.

In recent years, the city has consistently directed the entire political system to raise awareness of the role, significance, and necessity of learning promotion, talent promotion, lifelong learning, and building a learning society, with many widespread emulation movements reaching down to villages and residential groups. 

The city has issued many policies, increased investment, applied technology, and promoted digital transformation in education, creating conditions for everyone to learn, every household to learn, every profession to learn, and for the whole city to become a learning society. Currently, Hanoi has 579 community learning centers located in 579 communes, wards, and towns. These centers have actively organized activities and attracted large participation from residents, especially by incorporating current and practical knowledge into educational programs, which are then applied in daily life and productive labor.

Many learning models promoting study encouragement and talent cultivation, and building a learning society have been developed, such as learning families, learning clans, learning communities/residential groups, and learning organizations. These models have introduced creative and meaningful activities that positively shift public perception about lifelong learning and contribute significantly to improving the socio-economic well-being of local communities.

Overview of the event. 

The forum, with the theme "Lifelong Learning to Become Useful Individuals," represents the spirit and enthusiasm of Hanoi's citizens in general and the education sector in particular toward lifelong learning. At the same time, it is a concrete initiative aimed at effectively implementing the plan to build Hanoi into a "Learning City" in accordance with UNESCO's orientation.

The forum serves as Hanoi's commitment to join UNESCO's Global Network of Learning Cities by 2025, affirming the capital's pioneering position in human development, spreading the spirit of learning, and fostering a knowledge-based society.

At the event, delegates and students participated in the lifelong learning forum with inspiring stories, such as that of Pham Thi Huyen (Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi), who has run a literacy class for disadvantaged and homeless students for nearly 30 years.

Another moving story came from Pham Quoc Viet, 38 years old, a student at the Vocational Education and Continuing Education Center of Thanh Xuan District, who shared about founding a free rescue team in 2019 and participating in many major fire rescues.

The forum also welcomed Pham Quang Giang, 40 years old, a visually impaired student currently attending 10th grade at the Nguyen Van To Vocational Education and Continuing Education Center (Hoan Kiem District). Overcoming illness and hardship, he resumed his quest for knowledge after nearly 20 years and now inspires those around him with his passion for learning.

As part of the program, delegates and students visited exhibition areas, interacted and explored books, community learning models, and self-study methods.