HCM City, Son La join UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Ho Chi Minh City and Son La city in the northern mountainous province of the same name have joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) as announced by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on February 14.
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities is an international network comprising cities that successfully promote lifelong learning across their communities. (Photo: VNA)
Paris (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City and SonLa city in the northern mountainous province of the same name have joined the UNESCOGlobal Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) as announced by the United NationsEducational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on February 14.
They were among the 64 new members from 35 countriesrecognised by the organisation for their outstanding efforts to make lifelonglearning a reality for all at the local level.
Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, PermanentRepresentative of Vietnam to the UNESCO, noted that the event reflects specificsteps in the implementation of policies and guidelines of the Party and theState regarding international integration and education.
Dao Quyen Truong, Deputy Director-General of the Departmentof Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO Affairs under the Vietnamese Ministry ofForeign Affairs, viewed it as the result of the materialisation of the culturaldiplomacy strategy to 2030, efforts and resolve of the local People’s Committeesas well as their close coordination with relevant agencies, experts and scientistsboth at home abroad, and contributions by local residents.
A lab activity of students in Son La. (Photo: VNA)
Apart from HCM City and Son La, three otherVietnamese cities have also joined the network, namely Sa Dec city in theMekong Delta city of Dong Thap, Vinh city in the central province of Nghe An(2020), and Dong Thap’s Cao Lanh city (2022).
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities is aninternational network comprising cities that successfully promote lifelonglearning across their communities. The new learning cities are added to the networkon the recommendation of a jury of experts. A strong commitment to lifelonglearning by the mayor and city administration and a track record of goodpractices and policy initiatives are key prerequisites for becoming a learningcity.
With the new members, the network now counts 356cities from 79 countries with more than 390 million people benefiting fromlifelong learning opportunities./.
Ho Chi Minh City will implement different measures to promote the digital economy, with the goal that it will contribute 20% to the city’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) by 2025, and 40% by 2030.
All the 17 trains of Metro Route No 1, Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien, in Ho Chi Minh City will continuously run on a trial basis during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, said the city’s Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR).
Ho Chi Minh City welcomed around 75,000 tourist arrivals over five days since the start of the Tet holiday (February 8) to February 12, or the third day of the first lunar month, up 15.4% year-on-year, according to the municipal Department of Tourism.
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The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities is an international network comprising cities that successfully promote lifelong learning across their communities. (Photo: VNA) 
A lab activity of students in Son La. (Photo: VNA) 
