Son La City represents Vietnam at the ASEAN+3 Regional Learning Cities Conference

Representatives of Son La city received flowers from the Organizing Committee at the ceremony to present the symbol recognizing new members of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.

The objectives of the ASEAN+3 Regional Learning Cities Conference are to strengthen the capacity of cities through knowledge sharing among UNESCO Learning Cities in Southeast Asia and the Plus Three countries; and to identify and disseminate best practices in national and local government policies on promoting learning cities and innovation initiatives at the city level. The conference also aims to establish a sustainable platform for ongoing dialogue and partnerships between UNESCO Learning Cities and other cities.

Delegates of Son La city attended the Conference.

The conference gathered more than 200 delegates from Southeast Asia, as well as China, Japan and Korea. Representing Vietnam's global learning cities attending the conference, the high-ranking delegation of Son La city led by Mr. Ha Trung Chien - Secretary of the Son La City Party Committee, Head of the Steering Committee for Son La Global Learning City gave a very convincing presentation on the topic of building a learning city so that no one is left behind. Mr. Ha Trung Chien's presentation and discussion in the parallel discussion session on October 29 received much attention from the delegates attending.

Mr. Ha Trung Chien, Secretary of Son La City Party Committee, Head of Steering Committee of Son La Global Learning City presented at the parallel discussion session.

According to Mr. Ha Trung Chien, in February 2024, Son La city will be honored to become the 5th city in the country and the first city in a difficult mountainous area in the country to be recognized by UNESCO as a member of the Global Learning Cities network.

Delegates were impressed to learn that, despite facing many challenges, Son La city has allocated 34% of its total budget for education, including building a learning society. This figure reflects the city’s vision and commitment to prioritizing education investment as the foundation for economic , cultural and social development and changing people’s lives.

Since joining the Network, Son La city has had many pioneering and breakthrough initiatives to successfully build a learning city model in accordance with UNESCO criteria. Son La is the first city in Vietnam to propose the initiative to organize the contest "Son La - The Global Learning City I Love" in September 2024, with nearly 300 entries, including: Fine arts, songs, poems and solutions to develop learning cities, associated with environmental protection and climate change response.

Son La City shares its efforts to strengthen international cooperation in the field ofeducation , pioneering in implementing the Laulau Learning method.

The city actively promotes international integration and cooperation in the field of education. In October 2024, the city began piloting the Lau Lau Learning method of education through art and music from Finland and became the first city in Vietnam to implement this advanced educational method.

Another highlight is that the city has implemented the construction of diverse and convenient learning spaces for people, with the model of "intellectual houses" and "humane libraries". Currently, there are 112 "Intellectual houses" and "humane libraries" in the city's hamlets.

These models are developed on the basis of cultural houses of groups and villages. This is not only a simple library, but also a place where people can come to participate in cultural and sports activities, exchange experiences in various areas of life, and help each other build a sustainable community.

Son La City shared about the successful construction of effective community learning models such as the House of Wisdom and the Compassionate Bookshelf.

Son La City also pays special attention to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the city's ethnic minorities, attracting them to participate in cultural activities associated with learning to improve the understanding of ethnic minorities. In 2024, the City established 35 Thai cultural clubs to preserve the language, teach the writing of ethnic minorities, restore and maintain festivals and traditional costumes. This club model is also a place for ethnic minorities to study and exchange experiences to have a better life.

The ASEAN+3 Learning Cities Conference will run until October 30 in Bangkok, with lively discussions and many cultural and educational exchange and networking programs. The conference plays an important role in contributing to the joint efforts among cities that are driving the global agenda and directly contributes to strengthening related initiatives coming up this year such as the 6th International Conference on Global Learning Cities to be held in Saudi Arabia.

Delegates from Son La city exchanged experiences in building a learning city with international friends.

Delegates of Son La city exchanged experiences in building a learning city with international friends.

Participating in the Conference is an invaluable opportunity for cities in the region to learn from the experiences of their peers, thereby providing insights on how to promote progress in building lifelong learning and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Education Agenda – especially SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. This is also a valuable opportunity for Son La city, representing Vietnam’s global learning city, to affirm its position and the values ​​that Vietnam’s global learning cities can contribute to promoting the UNESCO Global Learning Cities Network.

Overview of the Conference.