The Letter of Intent was signed by Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son and European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Minzatu. The ceremony took place during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam’s official visit to the European Union.
This is the first standalone document between the two sides on education and training. Earlier cooperation mainly relied on general provisions in a framework agreement. The two sides now intend to make education a cooperation area with a clear roadmap.
The document says Vietnam and the EU have maintained stable and positive relations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1990. Education and training are important areas under the EU-Vietnam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation, signed in 2012 and taking effect in 2016. Both sides reaffirmed their interest in stronger cooperation based on equality, mutual respect and understanding.
The sides plan to expand information exchange and connectivity under Erasmus+, the EU’s main programme for education, training, youth and sport. They will also cooperate within the Global Partnership for Education and other multi-level education programmes. Erasmus+ National Focal Points will receive support to perform their bridging role more effectively.
The document provides for capacity building for specialists and academic institutions, exchanges of learners and academic staff, sharing experience and good practices, and joint training and research programmes. The sides plan to develop a common roadmap for current and future cooperation activities.
Son told the Vietnam News Agency that Europe has provided substantial support to Vietnam through Erasmus+ and joint programmes between universities and colleges. He said the results were notable, but individual activities remained fragmented and lacked a common guiding document.
“This is the first time a Letter of Intent has been signed between the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam and the European Commission to implement cooperation comprehensively, from qualification recognition in education and training to skills development in the new period,” the minister said.
According to the minister, the second area involves detailed roadmaps for general education reform, vocational education and higher education. This should strengthen institutional capacity, expand student and faculty exchanges, and build partnerships between educational institutions on both sides.
Son called this a resource for developing the skilled workforce needed for the country’s growth model reform and for meeting demand from foreign investors in high-tech sectors.
The sides will establish a joint working group to prepare an implementation roadmap. Cooperation must be put into concrete actions, projects and programmes, with results and efficiency assessed annually.
Both sides will continue refining their cooperation to move toward equal and comprehensive relations rather than a one-way relationship based on European support. Son said Vietnam’s emphasis on “equality” and a “two-way” partnership reflects its position as a country seeking to co-design programmes rather than only receive support.
The Letter of Intent was handed over during a meeting between General Secretary and President Lam and leaders of major European and Belgian companies.
According to Son, Belgian and European companies showed strong interest in expanding investment in Vietnam, especially in high technology, logistics and healthcare, where skilled workers are needed.
The minister said handing the document directly to the European Commission at the meeting showed Vietnam’s intention to link training with the needs of foreign companies and meet their current and future demand.
He said skilled workers attract investors and give Vietnam an advantage in attracting foreign companies, particularly large ones. Companies interested in investing in Vietnam consider the availability of skilled workers when making decisions, which made the timing and location of the handover significant.
By placing the education agreement among issues discussed with investors, Vietnam sought to show that human resources are part of its investment attraction strategy alongside infrastructure, institutions and incentives. For European companies diversifying supply chains, workers trained to standards compatible with Europe may be an advantage.
The Letter of Intent was signed on the same day Vietnam and the EU issued a joint press release. In it, leaders of both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in education and training.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
