Following the official visit of Party General Secretary Tô Lâm to the UK at the invitation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer in October 2025, Việt Nam and the UK agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).

As the two countries strengthen their bilateral ties, education has become an increasingly important area of cooperation. The Việt Nam Education Forum aimed to explore opportunities for collaboration and innovation in education between the two nations.

The event welcomed representatives from Việt Nam’s Ministry of Education and Training, the UK Government, the British Council, major universities, and international schools to explore new opportunities for collaboration between Việt Nam and the United Kingdom.

The UK Ambassador to Việt Nam, Iain Frew, opened the forum by highlighting how AI and digital transformation are reshaping the global education landscape. He also emphasised that the upgraded UK–Việt Nam relationship provides a strong framework for deeper cooperation in higher education, vocational training, and the development of future-ready human resources.

Dr Nguyễn Thu Thủy, Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Education and Training, echoed this message, reaffirming Việt Nam’s commitment to international engagement to elevate the nation’s education sector.

A highlight of the day was the presentation by the British International School Hanoi’s Head of Primary, Laurence Cabanne, who spoke as one of the forum’s guest speakers. In her workshop, “Unlocking Global Competence – Rethinking Teacher Training to Prepare Students for a Global Future,” she explored how teacher development plays a vital role in preparing students to thrive in an interconnected world.

Drawing on examples from BIS Hanoi, Laurence shared practical insights on fostering global citizenship, strengthening cross-cultural understanding, and equipping teachers for rapid technological change.

Laurence explained that great teaching starts with truly understanding students and the context they come from. When teachers adapt their approach to fit their students’ experiences, learning becomes more meaningful and easier to relate to. She emphasised that context should not be seen as a limitation but as an opportunity to make learning more engaging and relevant.

She also reminded the audience that strong relationships lie at the heart of good education - Maslow before Bloom - and that helping students develop global skills begins with knowing who they are and what they need. Her session offered a clear and inspiring perspective on how schools can better support teachers so that every child can thrive.

As one of the four Nord Anglia Education schools in Việt Nam, the British International School Hanoi joined colleagues from across the country in hosting a booth at the event. The booth introduced attendees to its international programmes, innovative learning approaches, and the global opportunities available to students within the school’s educational community. Event guests, including educators, partners, and leaders, visited the booth to learn more about how Nord Anglia schools support personalised, future-focused learning for students in Việt Nam.

The British International School Hanoi’s involvement in the Việt Nam Education Forum 2025 reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to supporting the UK–Việt Nam Strategic Partnership. By contributing to national conversations on innovation and excellence, it remains dedicated to strengthening educational ties between the two countries and helping to shape a more dynamic, globally connected future for learners in Việt Nam./.