The title reinforces Hanoi’s commitment to lifelong learning as a driver for high-quality human resources, innovation and sustainable development, while promoting its image as a city of culture, peace and creativity.
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi will hold a ceremony to receive the UNESCO “Global Learning City” title on the evening of January 29, 2026 at the historic relic Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (the Temple of Literature).
Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (the Temple of Literature), considered Vietnam's first university, is an iconic destination in Hanoi. Photo: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times
About 400 guests are expected to attend the event, including leaders of the Vietnamese Communist Party and the Vietnamese Government, representatives from central ministries and agencies, foreign diplomats, UNESCO officials, Hanoi authorities, educational institutions, students and residents.
The Hanoi Television will broadcast the ceremony live from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM local time.
UNESCO announced Hanoi’s inclusion in the Global Network of Learning Cities on December 4, naming the capital among 72 new members from 46 countries.
Hanoi became the sixth Vietnamese locality in the network, joining Sa Dec and Cao Lanh in Dong Thap Province, Vinh in Nghe An Province, Son La and Ho Chi Minh City.
The recognition highlights Hanoi’s sustained efforts to build a comprehensive learning society.
Hanoi has adopted key initiatives such as the “Happy Schools” model applied in nearly 3,000 schools, the “Green Schools – For a Green Hanoi” program, financial education projects that reach thousands of students and broad-based community learning.
Currently, more than 1.4 million households, or 67% of families, participate in learning activities. The city also counts about 6,900 learning lineages, or 59%, and nearly 4,400 learning residential groups, or 77%.
Launched in 2013, the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities now includes 425 cities in 91 countries, supporting lifelong learning for nearly 500 million people worldwide. The 2025 intake features 11 capital cities, including Hanoi.
UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini said the new members are “redefining what it means to learn, turning every street, library, workplace, museum and home into a space for knowledge and innovation.”
The membership gives Vietnamese localities a platform to share best practices in lifelong learning and deepen international cooperation on education for sustainable development.
