On March 20, 2026, the Hai Phong City People's Committee issued Decision No. 1042/QD-UBND approving the Project "Development of Education and Training in Hai Phong City to 2030, with a Vision to 2045". One of the core and breakthrough contents of this Project is a strategy for extensive foreign affairs and international integration, aiming to transform the Port City into an international knowledge center and a hub for high-quality human resource training for the Southeast Asian region.
Aspiration to become a “Global Learning City”
Hai Phong has established an ambitious foreign affairs roadmap with the goal of bringing local education closer to the most advanced standards in Asia and the world. According to the Project, the city strives to officially become a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities by 2027. Participation in this network will not only enhance Hai Phong’s international prestige but also create opportunities for the city to increase knowledge exchange, connect with experts, and access modern educational models for sustainable development.
Furthermore, Hai Phong aims to modernize its higher education system with a vision to 2045, where at least one higher education institution will be ranked in the top 100 leading universities in Asia in several key fields. In the short term, by 2030, the city expects to have at least one university in the top 200 in Asia and become a center for marine science and technology research on par with developed countries in the region.
Making English the Second Language and Piloting International Programs To achieve substantive integration, Hai Phong identifies the removal of language barriers as a top priority. The city is committed to implementing the Project to make English the second language in schools. The target by 2030 is for 90% of high school students to meet prescribed foreign language proficiency standards, with 30% reaching levels higher than the standard.
A breakthrough new feature is the implementation of dual-degree models and the piloting of programs that combine the Ministry of Education and Training’s curriculum with prestigious international certificates such as Cambridge Primary Checkpoint, IGCSE, and A-level in public schools. Simultaneously, the city encourages the diversification of foreign languages, deploying the teaching of Korean, Japanese, Chinese, French, and German as either first or second foreign languages depending on the conditions of each educational institution. By 2030, Hai Phong strives to have at least 15 educational institutions implementing bilingual programs that meet international quality standards.
Attracting Intellectual Resources and Foreign Investment
Hai Phong is opening its doors to receive investment capital and talent from around the world. The Project sets a goal to attract investment to develop at least 03 international multi-level schools and 02 international universities within the city by 2030. A typical project is the encouragement of the Equest Group to invest in a branch of Phu Xuan University in Hai Phong with an expected total investment of 1,773 billion VND.
Regarding human resources, the city has outstanding preferential policies to attract excellent lecturers and foreign scientists to teach and work. Specific goals include recruiting at least 20 high-quality lecturers from abroad and maintaining a minimum of 150 international guest lecturer turns per year. Conversely, Hai Phong will send at least 300 lecturers for training and professional development in countries with advanced education systems and provide full scholarships for young scientists to study strategic technologies at top universities worldwide.
Connecting Education with the Marine Economy and Cultural Security
With its position as a port city, Hai Phong prioritizes international cooperation in key economic sectors such as logistics, maritime technology, shipbuilding, and the marine economy. The city will support universities like Vietnam Maritime University and Hai Phong University to build cooperation, exchange, or technology transfer programs with international partners.
However, parallel to the opening-up process, Hai Phong also emphasizes ensuring cultural security. The city requires strengthened quality management of programs with foreign elements, integrating the teaching of the Vietnamese language, history, and values to ensure that the younger generation becomes "global citizens" while still maintaining national identity.
With a total implementation budget of over 22,800 billion VND, Hai Phong is demonstrating strong political determination in using education as a "key" for foreign affairs. These breakthrough policies on international integration are intended not only to improve public intellectual standards but also to create a "magnet" attracting strategic experts and investors, affirming Hai Phong’s sustainable position on the world knowledge map.