From the lecture halls of Hanoi National University of Education, a powerful message echoed: education is the seed from which a resilient Vietnam can grow in the face of natural disasters and climate change.

On the evening of October 13, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment held a ceremony at Hanoi National University of Education to mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and ASEAN Day for Disaster Management 2025.

At the event, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep referenced the recent wave of natural disasters. Over just two months, four storms brought record-breaking rainfall and historic floods that inundated homes, fields, and crops across northern Vietnam.

“Those images are heartbreaking, but we refuse to be defeated,” said Deputy Minister Hiep.

He emphasized that the choice of venue was intentional: Hanoi National University of Education symbolizes more than knowledge - it represents the foundation of resilience.

Throughout history, the Vietnamese people have demonstrated strength through proactive, united efforts, he added. Even as natural disasters leave destruction in their wake, Vietnam continues to receive heartfelt support from international partners. Relief shipments from Japan, Australia, and other nations have arrived promptly.

“We are deeply grateful for these gestures, as they vividly embody the spirit of ‘leaving no one behind’,” Hiep noted.

“And tonight, I want to speak directly to those holding the keys to the future - students of Hanoi National University of Education, the teachers of tomorrow.”

According to Deputy Minister Hiep, students are not only learners, but also powerful sources of inspiration.

“A single classroom lesson that includes disaster preparedness could save a life. An extracurricular survival skills session could help students remain calm during emergencies. A story of recovery after a storm can spark hope for the future,” he said.

He urged future educators to “plant the seeds of resilience in the hearts of the next generation,” to help write a new story of a proactive, safe, and unyielding Vietnam.

Sharing his thoughts at the event, Ziad Nabulsi, UNICEF’s Acting Representative in Vietnam, expressed deep sympathy for the widespread damage caused by the recent storms.

Homes were destroyed, schools and health centers were damaged, and livelihoods were lost. Yet the impact goes even deeper - children are left without clean water, proper nutrition, access to education, or protection.

Nabulsi emphasized that if every teacher helps children understand how to stay safe during storms, floods, and extreme heat, we can raise a generation that is not only knowledgeable but resilient.

He added that investing in education is the most sustainable way to combat climate change and reduce disaster risks.

Also speaking at the event, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Hien, Chairman of the University Council at Hanoi National University of Education, pledged to continue prioritizing resources and support for research, training, and international collaboration in disaster preparedness education.

He affirmed the university’s commitment to ensuring that every generation of students receives not only academic knowledge, but also life lessons in compassion, resilience, and overcoming adversity.

Vu Diep