On the morning of September 5, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung attended and addressed a ceremony marking the start of the new academic year and the inauguration of multi-level boarding schools in Vietnam’s land-border communes. He joined the event from Muong Khuong Primary and Secondary Boarding School in Lao Cai province.

Modern new schools open in border communities

The Prime Minister said the simultaneous opening of the new academic year and inauguration of boarding schools in border communes was particularly meaningful as nearly 27 million pupils and students across Vietnam returned to school.

The occasion not only marked the beginning of a new academic year, but also celebrated the completion of modern, well-equipped schools offering better learning and living conditions for children in the country’s border regions.

“Every school that begins operating is more than simply a new building. It is also a foundation for hope and the future, ensuring that geographical distance or family circumstances do not stand in the way of children’s dreams of learning and personal development,” the Prime Minister said.

The new schools, he added, also embody the care and responsibility of the Party, the State and the Vietnamese people toward future generations.

Invoking the traditional Vietnamese belief that “talented people are the lifeblood of the nation,” the Prime Minister said a strong country needs capable people, and capable people require a strong education system.

Education, he said, should not only help learners acquire knowledge and develop critical thinking, creativity and adaptability. It must also foster balanced and comprehensive development in character, intellect, physical well-being and appreciation of beauty, while teaching young people to value Vietnam’s history and culture and nurturing their desire to contribute to society.

The Prime Minister recalled President Ho Chi Minh’s words: “An ignorant nation is a weak nation,” as well as his famous message that cultivating people is a century-long endeavor.

Education, the Prime Minister said, is a long journey that must be nurtured continuously and patiently, from a child’s earliest lessons through adulthood, working life and service to society.

“Every piece of knowledge acquired, every working skill developed and every quality formed today will become the foundation of children’s capabilities and character tomorrow, as well as a precious resource for the country’s future,” he said.

The 2026-2027 academic year is particularly important as the first to implement the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress. It is expected to mark a shift in thinking, approaches and educational quality, bringing substantive changes and major breakthroughs in education and training that can contribute to Vietnam’s rapid and sustainable development.

The Prime Minister said the country is entering a new stage of development with ambitious aspirations for a strong and prosperous Vietnam.

Against that backdrop, education must move one step ahead and genuinely become a foundation, driving force and strategic pillar for national development.

That requires a decisive shift from “teaching what we have” to “teaching what learners and the country need,” from simply transmitting knowledge to comprehensively developing qualities and capabilities, and from emphasizing scores to assessing the genuine progress of individual students.

The Prime Minister also cited Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s view that education and training play a special role in preparing people for the country’s future. This academic year, he said, must bring a new spirit and new approaches, translating into substantive improvements and results in every school, classroom and student.

Teachers as the driving force, families as the foundation

With that goal in mind, the Prime Minister called for the 2026-2027 academic year to bring genuine change from within every school and classroom, involving every teacher, pupil and student, as well as the education sector as a whole.

“I ask the entire education sector to continue making strong changes in management thinking and teaching methods, placing learners at the center, schools as the foundation, teachers as the driving force, families as the source of support and society as a partner providing resources,” he said.

Schools, according to the Prime Minister, must become genuinely friendly, safe, healthy and humane environments where students are respected, encouraged to be creative and given the space to nurture their dreams.

At the same time, the education sector must firmly address the excessive pursuit of achievements and reduce unnecessary pressure. Greater attention should be given to identifying, nurturing and maximizing the potential and individual strengths of every student, with particular care for students with disabilities and those facing especially difficult circumstances.

The Prime Minister urged local authorities and schools to devote greater attention to preserving and promoting the cultural identities of Vietnam’s ethnic communities, stressing that modern education should never mean losing touch with one’s roots.

Students should have access to the latest knowledge from around the world and learn to master emerging technologies, while maintaining a strong understanding of Vietnam’s traditions, history and culture. They should be able to reach out confidently to the wider world while always carrying their homeland in their hearts, he said.

The Prime Minister said teachers have held a uniquely respected position in every era.

Today, technology and artificial intelligence can help people find knowledge, but nothing can replace a teacher’s compassion, personal example and ability to inspire.

“A timely word of encouragement can give a student confidence. A compelling lesson can ignite a passion. A dedicated and compassionate teacher can change the lives of generations of students,” he said.

He expressed hope that teachers would preserve their passion for the profession, continue learning, master new technologies and innovate their teaching methods, while treating students with fairness, trust and genuine care.

Addressing parents, the Prime Minister called on families to remain a strong source of support for children, work closely with schools, listen and share, build trust and provide the inspiration that allows their children’s dreams and aspirations to take flight.

Turning to pupils and students, he said every new academic year was an opportunity to understand themselves better, discover new things and move closer to their dreams.

“Study hard, persevere, develop yourselves and nurture your ambitions so that when you grow up, you can build your careers and contribute to your hometown and your country,” the Prime Minister told them.

In an era of rapid change, students need more than academic knowledge, he said. They must learn to think independently, distinguish right from wrong, care for and share with others, work effectively in teams, and master technology rather than allowing technology to control them.

He also encouraged students to strive to improve themselves every day while preserving a sincere heart, the determination to move forward, compassion and love for their homeland and country.

“Become global citizens, but first and foremost be Vietnamese citizens with a deep love for your country and a strong sense of responsibility toward your families and society,” the Prime Minister said.

He expressed confidence that with renewed momentum across the education sector and a determination to pursue comprehensive reform, the 2026-2027 academic year would deliver a breakthrough in quality, usher in a new stage of educational development and help make Vietnam a nation of knowledge, contributing to the country’s rapid and sustainable development in a new era.

Thuy Nga - Trong Bao