Vietnam has highlighted the need for international cooperation to help education systems adapt to AI and digital transformation, as policymakers, educators and technology specialists gathered in Hanoi for the International Conference on Education Cooperation in the Digital Era.
The two-day event brought together more than 800 delegates from 40 countries and territories to discuss education reform, digital skills, international cooperation and AI-related challenges, including data security, ethics and equitable access.
Education systems urged to adapt to AI era
Speaking at the opening session, Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son said digital technologies and AI are reshaping education globally and require changes across teaching, learning and governance. He argued that education reform should not only focus on equipping students with new technical skills, but also on helping institutions and teachers guide the responsible use of AI.
The minister said learners need stronger self-learning capabilities, critical thinking and creativity, alongside the ability to work effectively with AI tools. Teachers, meanwhile, are expected to move beyond knowledge delivery towards designing learning experiences, mentoring students and supporting value formation.
He added that schools and education authorities must modernise management practices, assessment methods and quality assurance systems. These priorities align with wider national efforts described in Vietnam’s digital transformation and infrastructure strategy, which aims to strengthen digital capacity across sectors.
Four priorities identified for digital education
Minister Son outlined four areas that Vietnam considers central to digital transformation in education:
- Digital infrastructure: Developing secure and interoperable digital infrastructure and data platforms for education.
- Teaching and learning reform: Expanding digital and AI capabilities among both learners and teachers.
- Responsible AI governance: Promoting safe, transparent and accountable use of AI in education management.
- International cooperation: Strengthening collaboration on digital technologies, research and AI development.
He stressed that the success of technology adoption should be measured by whether it improves learning outcomes, supports teachers and increases equitable access to education, rather than by the scale of technology deployment alone.
International partnerships seen as essential
Conference speakers repeatedly emphasised that AI-related opportunities and risks extend beyond national borders and require collaborative approaches. Minister Son said countries should move beyond simply adopting technologies developed elsewhere and instead participate in joint research, testing and solution development.
Stefaan Hermans, Director of Policy Strategy and Evaluation at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, said digital transformation in education is fundamentally about how knowledge is created, shared and applied. He noted that the European Union has expanded cooperation with Vietnam through programmes supporting education, research and skills development.
Since 2021, the Erasmus+ programme has supported more than 6,800 exchanges involving students and staff between Europe and Vietnam, while Vietnamese institutions have participated in nearly 100 capacity-building projects. Vietnamese researchers and organisations are also involved in 29 Horizon Europe projects.
The conference discussions also reflected Vietnam’s broader focus on workforce readiness and advanced skills development, including initiatives highlighted in new programmes supporting future-ready talent.
Equity and child protection remain key concerns
UNICEF Representative in Vietnam Silvia Danailov said education will play a central role in the country’s next phase of economic development, particularly as growth increasingly depends on innovation, technology and green transformation.
She highlighted the importance of ensuring that digital technologies support equitable access to education, especially for children in disadvantaged communities, ethnic minority groups and children with disabilities. Danailov also stressed that child safety and protection must be incorporated into digital and AI systems from the beginning.
The conference included thematic sessions covering digital transformation in schools and universities, vocational education, international cooperation and digital ecosystems for learning. More than 70 exhibitors presented technologies related to AI, digital learning platforms, STEM education, simulation tools and data systems designed to support teachers and learners.
Minister Son called on educational institutions, researchers and international partners to work together on practical solutions that can be translated into long-term programmes supporting students, teachers and society.
This article is created with the assistance of OpenGov AI.