News and Events

HA NOI – There is a recognition at every level of Vietnamese society that education is vital for its future success and prosperity, said Joe Costello, Irish Minister for Trade and Development, on Wednesday.

He noted that Vietnamese people attach great importance to the education of their children, so more schooling co-operation between Viet Nam and Ireland will be established in the near future.

Costello said more scholarships for talented Vietnamese would be granted, not only by Ireland's government but also its enterprises.

Furthermore, lecturer exchanges will be implemented between the two countries' universities, he added.

At the beginning of next month, a delegation of top Irish universities will work with Viet Nam's leading institutes to form joint education programmes and exchange their experiences, Costello said.

From next year, Viet Nam will become one of four markets Ireland intends to prioritise in the education sector.

Costello also said assistance for vulnerable communities through supporting the school and irrigation schemes, as well as the demining and disposal of unexploded bombs will continue.

Specifically, a new aid package worth 600,000 euro (US$774,000) will be given for the Mines Advisory Group for clearance activities in the central provinces of Quang Tri and Quang Binh during the next three years.

The work will then be expanded to neighbouring Quang Nam province.

"Ireland stands ready to support and is pleased to associate itself with efficient and effective unexploded ordnance clearance operations which will lead to more economic activity in the affected areas and lead to a safer and more secure environment for adults and children in Viet Nam," said Costello.

Irish Aid of up to 2 million euro ($2.5 million) a year between 2012 and 2015 will also increase NGOs' participation in poverty reduction and policy making, as well as improving the rights and roles of disabled people in Viet Nam.