Lifelong Learning Week 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City highlights self-learn as path to future

Lifelong Learning Week is a nationwide campaign in Vietnam, held annually to encourage people of all ages to continue learning beyond formal education.

It promotes self-study, digital literacy, and community involvement, linking education with the country’s broader goals of innovation and sustainable development.

The 2025 edition, themed 'Learning for personal growth, mastering knowledge and technology, contributing to a prosperous and strong nation,' will run until Tuesday across the city’s 168 wards, communes, and special zones.

The opening ceremony took place at Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in front of the statue of President Ho Chi Minh, where city leaders raised flags to signal the start of the campaign.

The program included scholarship awards and a parade to promote the spirit of lifelong learning.

Nguyen Van Hieu, director of the municipal Department of Education and Training, urged citizens to build the habit of continuous learning to keep pace with global changes.

“Each resident should be a digital citizen and a global learner, turning lifelong learning into practical action for both work and life,” he said.

Officials emphasized the initiative’s role in strengthening Ho Chi Minh City’s status as a UNESCO Global Learning City, highlighting digital transformation and equal access to education as key priorities.

Among the participants was Tran Tien Phuoc, a drainage worker who recently returned to night school to complete his high school diploma.

“I want to set an example for my child and show that learning is never too late,” he said.

Sixteen students were awarded scholarships during the ceremony, while similar launch events took place simultaneously across locales.