Happy Schools, Brighter Futures: UNESCO and SOVICO Reimagine Viet Nam’s Classrooms

Empowering 10,000 Creatives: New Project Aims to Double Vietnam’s Cultural GDP

In a landmark effort to promote sustainable development through culture and education, UNESCO and the SOVICO Group signed two major project agreements on 29 June 2025 in Da Nang, Viet Nam. These initiatives, which will run until 2030, build upon the Strategic Cooperation Framework established between the two parties in Paris in 2024. With a shared commitment to inclusive growth, the projects aim to empower young people, enhance institutional capacity, and support national policy reform, placing creativity, well-being, and community resilience at the centre of Viet Nam’s development strategy.

The first project, titled “Uplifting the Dynamic Cultural and Creative Industries in Viet Nam”, seeks to support over 10,000 artists, youth, and creative entrepreneurs through targeted training, mentoring, and start-up assistance. In addition, it will revitalise cultural venues such as museums and theatres, while fostering policy dialogue to strengthen the creative sector. Furthermore, the initiative will collaborate with the Vietnam Film Development Association to support film projects, train emerging filmmakers, and encourage international partnerships. Through the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, the project also aims to align Viet Nam’s creative industries with global standards and increase their contribution to GDP from 3.5% to 7%.

The second project, “Building Happy Schools for Transformation of Education and Sustainable Development”, focuses on developing a national framework for inclusive, learner-centred school environments based on UNESCO’s Happy Schools model. Initially, the project will be piloted in at least 20 schools across three regions, with Victoria South Saigon School serving as a key partner. These schools will integrate local cultural heritage with global citizenship education, while promoting inclusive, eco-friendly learning spaces that prioritise the well-being of students, teachers, and the broader community. The initiative also supports policy dialogue and reform efforts led by Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training, positioning happiness as both a pathway to and a goal of quality education.

Together, these projects represent a significant step towards building inclusive and creative ecosystems in Vietnam. Stakeholders emphasised that the initiatives are designed to equip young people, women, educators, and cultural professionals with the skills needed to drive positive change. Given Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage and dynamic youth population, the country is well-positioned to harness culture and education as key drivers of sustainable development.

Nguyen Minh Vu, Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO, commended SOVICO Group as a pioneering private enterprise for its long-term strategic partnership with UNESCO. He described the signing ceremony as a symbol of expanding cooperation that supports balanced development across economic, cultural, and social dimensions. UNESCO representatives echoed this sentiment, describing the projects as a new chapter in their collaboration with SOVICO. They highlighted shared values, mutual trust, and a strong belief in the transformative power of culture, education, and youth in building a more inclusive and peaceful future. Jonathan Baker, UNESCO Representative to Viet Nam, reiterated these principles during the announcement.

Dr Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Chairwoman of SOVICO Group, emphasised that her company measures prosperity not solely by economic growth, but by the lasting impact it creates, through inspired minds, preserved cultural values, and empowered communities. She reaffirmed SOVICO’s commitment to working alongside UNESCO to help build a more inclusive, creative, and compassionate society. Notably, this partnership marks the first formal collaboration between the United Nations and a Vietnamese private enterprise since Vietnam joined the UN in 1977, underscoring the growing role of the private sector in advancing national and global development goals. This collaboration stands as a powerful example of how culture and education can serve as pillars of inclusive, sustainable progress.

Editor’s Note:

The recent partnership between UNESCO and the SOVICO Group marks a transformative moment in Viet Nam’s development journey, one that places culture and education at the heart of national progress. The two flagship projects launched under this collaboration are not merely initiatives; they are strategic investments in the country’s human capital, cultural vitality, and long-term sustainability. The first project aims to double the creative sector’s GDP contribution from 3.5% to 7%. It will support over 10,000 artists, youth, and entrepreneurs, revitalise cultural spaces, and align with global standards via the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, shifting the view of culture from heritage to an engine of innovation and economic growth. The second project reimagines education through UNESCO’s Happy Schools model. It promotes inclusive, learner-centred environments prioritising well-being, cultural relevance, and global citizenship. Piloted in 20 schools with Ministry of Education and Training support, it lays the groundwork for systemic reform where happiness guides quality education.

As per Skoobuzz, together, these projects represent a bold vision: a Vietnam where creativity is nurtured, education is humanised, and development is both inclusive and sustainable. They empower the next generation not only to participate in the future but to shape it.