Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son presented five key proposals for Vietnam - China higher education cooperation at a forum held at Tsinghua University on 14/4.

The forum was part of General Secretary and President To Lam's state visit to China, gathering about 100 leading universities and several businesses from both nations.

Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son speaks at Tsinghua University, China, on 14/4. *Photo: MOET*

According to Son, major trends such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, semiconductor technology, green economy, and sustainable development are profoundly altering the global socio-economic structure. This context makes cooperation among major education systems in the region a necessity, not merely an option.

He highlighted the significant cultural, historical, and developmental similarities between Vietnam and China, noting their shared emphasis on education, science, technology, and talent. Son believes these commonalities position both countries as strategic partners in cultivating a regional knowledge and innovation ecosystem. The convergence of their development needs creates significant scope for elevating cooperation to a new phase—"a phase of substantive, in-depth, and co-created value cooperation."

Son outlined specific cooperation directions:

• Promoting the establishment of joint innovation and research centers in cutting-edge technology fields.
• Establishing a two-way technology transfer mechanism.
• Developing practical training programs based on university-enterprise cooperation models.
• Fostering student entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems.
• Internationalizing higher education and collaborating on digital transformation in education.

Within the forum's framework, Vietnamese and Chinese higher education institutions signed 52 cooperation agreements. According to information from several universities, such as Thuy Loi University and British University Vietnam, these agreements cover student and lecturer exchanges, dual-degree programs, short-term training, and enhanced scientific research. These were also discussion points between Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, and Peking University. Hanoi National University stated it signed cooperation agreements with four Chinese universities: Tsinghua, Fudan, Guangxi, and China Foreign Affairs University.

Yesterday, in his policy speech at Tsinghua University, General Secretary and President To Lam underscored Vietnam's commitment to strategic development, identifying science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as key drivers. He stated that education, training, and high-quality human resource development are "priority of priorities," forming the foundation for a young generation capable of mastering technology, confidently integrating, and aspiring to contribute. President To Lam urged enhanced Vietnam - China cooperation in strategic technology fields, closely linking training, scientific research, and innovation, and boosting exchanges of students and scholars, as well as training and research collaboration.

Duong Tam