On the Journey of Joining the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities – Part III: Models to Be Scaled Up
With nearly a decade of deep-rooted presence in local communities and acting as a bridge between Vietnam and the world, the models of the House of Wisdom and the Compassionate Bookshelf have proven to embody the core elements contributing to the creation of a true global learning city, fully aligned with UNESCO’s priorities.
Strengthening Vietnam’s Position in the Global Learning Cities Network
According to the Steering Committee of Son La Global Learning City, within just 10 months of officially joining the network, the city has established nearly 130 Houses of Wisdom and Compassionate Bookshelves, amassing almost two million quality books across villages and hamlets. These spaces provide vibrant venues for cultural, artistic, sporting, reading, and learning activities.
The Houses of Wisdom are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., attracting participants of all ages—from preschoolers to elders in their 60s and 70s. These initiatives have significantly contributed to raising educational standards, strengthening bonds among ethnic communities, preserving cultural values, and enriching the spiritual life of local residents.
Mrs. Tong Thi Hoa, one of nearly 30 learners in a Thai language class organized at a House of Wisdom in Chieng Coi ward, Son La City, shared: “I am 65 years old this year—the oldest student in the class. I had never learned Thai script before. Thanks to the government and the city’s support, as well as those who cherish Thai culture, this class was organized. I must try my best to learn so I can read, sing, tell stories, and later pass this knowledge on to my children and grandchildren.”
The rapid expansion and diverse, meaningful activities of the Houses of Wisdom and Compassionate Bookshelves have become essential pieces of Son La’s landscape after less than a year of joining the Global Learning Cities Network.
With such impressive achievements, Son La has proudly represented Vietnam’s learning cities at major international events. In October 2024, the Secretary of the Son La City Party Committee presented the Compassionate Bookshelf and House of Wisdom models at the ASEAN+3 Learning Cities Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. In December 2024, the Chairman of Son La City People’s Committee highlighted how these models promote community education at the 6th Global Learning Cities Conference in Jubail, Saudi Arabia—UNESCO’s largest network event, gathering 1,200 delegates worldwide and livestreamed to a global audience.
At the conference, Mr. Do Van Tru, Chairman of the Son La City People’s Committee, emphasized: “As a mountainous city with limited economic and financial resources compared to many developed provinces, Son La has mobilized collective strength from all sources to honor its commitments to UNESCO. The thriving House of Wisdom and Compassionate Bookshelf models are strong evidence of the city’s vision, determination, and the united efforts of its people to promote lifelong learning for all—ensuring no one is left behind.”
Promoting Lifelong Learning and Social Cohesion in Line with UNESCO Priorities
One of UNESCO’s core definitions of a global learning city is the promotion of lifelong learning for all and the strengthening of social cohesion through communities.
Rooted in local communities for nearly a decade, the House of Wisdom and Compassionate Bookshelf embody precisely these principles. Son La’s early success in implementing these models demonstrates both their effectiveness and their potential for replication.
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, founder of the House of Wisdom and co-founder of the Compassionate Bookshelf, explained: “The Compassionate Bookshelf focuses on building networks of book collections and libraries, creating a reading ecosystem for schools and communities. This helps promote reading culture, nurture wisdom, and foster compassion. Meanwhile, the House of Wisdom develops lifelong learning communities that are completely free of charge, where everyone can be both teacher and learner. Knowledge is applied to real life, driven by love and passion for the beauty of learning. This vision aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education and UNESCO’s spirit of lifelong learning worldwide.”
The Compassionate Bookshelf has organized hundreds of book talks, storytelling sessions, reading contests, and discussions to spark imagination and inspire children to explore the world from diverse perspectives. Millions of donated books have spread the values of reading culture, equipping readers with knowledge, skills, and resilience to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Through such efforts, the Compassionate Bookshelf aims to nurture a responsible, confident, and intelligent community, ready to cooperate and connect internationally in building a peaceful and sustainable world.
Alongside its reading initiatives, the House of Wisdom has opened thousands of free classes—both in-person and online—at community cultural centers, village halls, churches, schools, and various residential communities. These classes meet diverse learning needs, ranging from life skills such as farming, animal husbandry, sewing, cooking, swimming, martial arts, electrical safety, study methods, goal setting, and healthcare, to academic subjects like English and Mathematics. Some even offer lessons in macroeconomics, stock investment, and global citizenship.
International visitors and young generations also discover mini-museums within the Houses of Wisdom, where artifacts and traditional farming tools are preserved, offering insights into Vietnam’s deep cultural and historical values.
Educational expert Tong Lien Anh assessed the model as “an extension of the formal education system, complementing learners with knowledge and skills not yet covered in traditional schooling.” At the House of Wisdom, there are no exams, transcripts, scores, or rankings. All pressure is removed, allowing each individual to absorb knowledge freely in their own way.
What sets the model apart is its flexibility—programs are designed to meet local needs while empowering residents to take part in designing, creating, and implementing activities. The programs are community-driven yet strongly supported by local authorities, school leaders, teachers, and social organizations such as the Fatherland Front, Farmers’ Union, and Youth Union. Communities contribute facilities such as cultural houses, storm shelters, and school libraries, while also mobilizing funds and volunteers to ensure the Houses of Wisdom function effectively.
Creating a Cultural and Educational Bridge
One of UNESCO’s highlighted benefits of joining the Global Network of Learning Cities is access to high-quality international expertise to support local development. This has also been a strategic focus of the House of Wisdom model over the past decade—building bridges that transcend borders so people worldwide can contribute to Vietnam’s growth.
Professor Shannon Gramse, founding chair of the Creative Writing Department at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), shared: “Thousands of books and articles about Vietnam that I’ve read over decades could not help me understand the country as much as a few weeks living and working at the Houses of Wisdom in Nghe An and Ha Tinh. In my life, only two moments have brought me such unforgettable happiness: the birth of my daughter Scout, and the time I spent at the House of Wisdom.”
In an article published in Alaska Business Magazine, he even asked himself and his country’s leaders: “Why don’t we create something similar in Alaska?”
Since August 2019, the model has invited international scholars, lecturers, and volunteer experts to live and work at local Houses of Wisdom. The first volunteer group—six Spanish female students—spent a month teaching English and other subjects to children in Thanh Tien Commune, Thanh Chuong District, Nghe An Province.
By day, they taught classes and organized summer activities; by night, villagers gathered at the House of Wisdom, sharing tea and stories about local traditions, while the volunteers taught them lively Spanish dances.
Mrs. Nguyen Thi Van Anh, program advisor for the Penang House of Wisdom (Malaysia), noted: “The Houses of Wisdom always come alive with games, songs, lessons, and shared meals. By inviting international guests to live and work here, the network creates opportunities for them to experience Vietnam’s culture in a profound and authentic way. These experiences help foreign volunteers deeply appreciate community bonds, hospitality, and solidarity in Vietnam—while also spreading powerful messages about the country and its people to the world.”
Nurturing Global Cultural and Educational Ambassadors
Education expert Ian Gardiner travels to Vietnam every Lunar New Year—not to stay in hotels, but to live with local families and learn about Vietnamese Tet traditions. He loves the House of Wisdom so much that he always wears its logo on his chest at important events, prints the logo on pens to give to learners, and even displays it at his apartment in downtown New York. For over three years, he has never missed a single online class—even when there were only one or two learners, or when it coincided with holidays.
Professor Shannon Gramse also returns to Vietnam regularly during summer or Tet, sometimes staying up to three months, traveling from north to south to listen to people’s stories. He deeply respects President Ho Chi Minh and often cites his words during exchanges at universities. Whenever visiting martyr cemeteries, temples, or clan ancestral houses, he offers incense and bows with great reverence.
He has written about the House of Wisdom in Alaska Business Magazine, proudly sharing it with local leaders, colleagues, and thousands of students at his university. He frequently speaks passionately about Vietnam on KRUA, Alaska’s award-winning educational radio station. Thanks to his efforts, the name “Vietnam” resonates frequently in faraway Anchorage, Alaska, connecting two nations from opposite sides of the globe.
These are just a few among thousands of stories happening daily across Houses of Wisdom throughout Vietnam. Many international visitors first arrived out of curiosity or chance encounters, but it was genuine love that kept them returning and committing long-term.
The Houses of Wisdom have nurtured hundreds of cultural–educational ambassadors for Vietnam—exceptional citizens from across continents. They bring their knowledge and hearts to support Vietnam’s development, while spreading understanding and affection for the country abroad. Their contributions are voluntary, natural, and therefore the most enduring and sustainable. This “global” dimension makes the House of Wisdom a true embodiment of UNESCO’s vision of a global learning city.
Sharing Vietnam’s Knowledge with the World
So far, five Vietnamese cities have joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. According to education expert Tong Lien Anh, meaningful internationalization is a two-way process in which Vietnam must also contribute its unique values to the world. Thus, Vietnam’s learning cities not only benefit from the network but also actively enhance the country’s standing on the global stage. The House of Wisdom and Compassionate Bookshelf realize this vision by creating channels to share Vietnamese knowledge and culture worldwide, while nurturing true global citizens.
In October 2023, when the names “House of Wisdom” and “Compassionate Bookshelf” were honored at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., nearly 100 representatives of the world’s most prestigious literacy organizations—and millions watching worldwide—heard and remembered the name “Vietnam.”
Through this recognition, Vietnam presented to the world a creative, effective, zero-cost lifelong learning model with immeasurable social impact.
In October and December 2024, the House of Wisdom and Compassionate Bookshelf were once again showcased at UNESCO’s largest regional and global learning city conferences, sharing Vietnam’s valuable experiences with cities worldwide.
The House of Wisdom and the Compassionate Bookshelf have been implementing a strategy to expand Vietnam’s influence through a flexible, adaptive, and creative network of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Beyond donating books to schools in Laos, the programs have also organized meaningful activities in the United States. Representatives of the House of Wisdom and the Compassionate Bookshelf have engaged with several universities, educational institutions, and community organizations, including meetings with Mr. Sean Parnell, Chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage (former Governor of Alaska), as well as exchanges with students, senior citizens, and immigrant communities at local learning centers.
These initiatives not only promote the image of Vietnamese culture and people but also lay the foundation for long-term cooperation between the two nations. The presence of the House of Wisdom and the Compassionate Bookshelf at international events has strengthened their connection with Vietnam’s diplomatic missions abroad. Few community programs have ever received such close attention, with hundreds of articles in both English and Vietnamese published on the official platforms of various ministries and sectors.
Mrs. Nguyen Thuy Hong, Minister-Counselor at the Embassy of Vietnam in the United States, emphasized: “The Embassy of Vietnam in the United States will actively and proactively promote collaboration between the House of Wisdom, the Compassionate Bookshelf, and literacy organizations in both the U.S. and Vietnam. This will not only enhance cultural and educational exchanges and foster friendship between the two nations, but also make practical contributions to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the United States.”
Fostering a Generation of True Global Citizens
A true global learning city nurtures citizens who are wise, compassionate, and equipped to lead national development in an era of deep integration.
The House of Wisdom has organized hundreds of free English classes—including grammar, communication, math in English, and journaling—helping students in remote provinces such as Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Ngai, Dong Nai, and Son La learn directly with native experts, significantly improving their language skills.
Beyond languages, the House of Wisdom emphasizes soft skills and essential qualities so that young learners confidently represent Vietnam abroad. Each international House of Wisdom tailors programs to local strengths: New Zealand teaches financial management, Japan provides career guidance, Florida focuses on programming, Australia supports scholarship applications, Malaysia offers diverse cultural exchanges and seminars.
Students Tran Thi Tuong Anh and Tran Viet Bach shared: “Through training and mentoring, the House of Wisdom has nurtured a young generation full of passion and aspiration—eager to connect knowledge and serve the community. We are equipped with languages and skills to adapt globally, balance study with sports and arts, embrace cultural diversity, recognize global challenges like poverty, inequality, climate change, and racism, and contribute to building a better world. And we learned all of this from hundreds of free courses within the House of Wisdom and Compassionate Bookshelf network.”
Models to Be Scaled Up
After nearly a decade of operation, the House of Wisdom and Compassionate Bookshelf have proven to be impactful, aligning with UNESCO’s priorities in building learning cities. They embody the essence of both “learning” and “global,” deeply rooted in communities while actively connecting with the world.
As more Vietnamese cities join UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities, expanding these models will transform commitments into concrete action. With such potential, Vietnam can become a bright spot on the world’s learning city map—offering inspiration for other nations to develop innovative, human-centered, and sustainable educational models.
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan is the Founder of the House of Wisdom (NNTT) and Co-founder of the Compassionate Bookshelf (TSNA). These two models were born from his dream and vision of an Intelligent and Compassionate Vietnam, and they have quickly become a lifelong mission that he has devoted himself to pursuing.
Ms. Tong Lien Anh is an expert in adult education and lifelong learning. She was honored by UNESCO with the Lifelong Learning Scholarship. Since 2020, she has been a core leader of both the House of Wisdom and the Compassionate Bookshelf programs.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Van Anh is an expert in Agricultural Economics and Rural Development. Since 2021, she has served as advisor to the House of Wisdom Penang–Malaysia program, supporting the connection of international experts and volunteers, as well as designing and organizing the network’s online activities.
Over 9 years of development, more than 27,000 bookshelves (equivalent to 1.6 million books) have been donated to more than 3,300 schools and community centers across 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam, as well as to schools in Laos. The program has created a network of over 3.2 million readers and learners, including 17 million book readings, connecting Vietnam with 5 other countries (Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the United States) through lifelong learning and community library models.
The House of Wisdom and the Compassionate Bookshelf have received strong recognition from both domestic and international communities. In Vietnam, the initiatives have been awarded prizes by ministries, departments, and sectors, most notably the National Reading Culture Award (2020). Internationally, in 2023, the U.S. Library of Congress and the U.S. Department of Education honored the programs by presenting them with the prestigious International Literacy Award for Outstanding Practice.
Source: World & Vietnam Report
Author: Tri Duc
Design: Lim Dim
Photos: NVCC…
Link: Trên hành trình tham gia mạng lưới Thành phố Học tập toàn cầu (Kỳ III): Điểm sáng cần nhân rộng
