The agreement was signed by Ito Naoki, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam, and Ha Bien Cuong, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Cat Thinh Commune (Lao Cai), representing the beneficiary.
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Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki speaks at the signing ceremony. |
The non-refundable grassroots grant from the Government of Japan, valued at USD 132,822, will be used for the construction of a two-story classroom building comprising four classrooms and four restrooms, with a total floor area of 245 square meters at Ba Khe Primary and Secondary School. The project aims to improve teaching and learning conditions for both teachers and students.
According to Ha Bien Cuong, Ba Khe Primary and Secondary School was established in 1973. As of November 2025, the school has had 651 students from Grade 1 to Grade 9. In recent years, student enrollment has steadily increased. However, since the school has not undergone major renovation since its establishment, it currently has only four buildings with 16 classrooms, resulting in a shortage of four classrooms compared to its total of 20 classes.
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Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Cat Thinh Commune Ha Bien Cuong sign the project agreement. |
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Ito Naoki expressed his hope that the project would contribute to enhancing the educational environment, improving learning conditions for students and teaching conditions for educators, and thereby supporting the broader socio-economic development of the locality.
He underscored the importance of small-scale grant projects aimed at improving education quality and local socio-economic conditions. Noting that Cat Thinh Commune has a population of more than 11,000 people, including over 2,000 students, the Ambassador emphasized that the demand for adequate school infrastructure is urgent.
Ambassador Ito Naoki acknowledged the strong efforts made by the Vietnamese Government to enhance education quality in remote and mountainous areas, narrowing development gaps among regions through ongoing reform policies. He affirmed Japan’s support for Vietnam’s reforms aimed at promoting national economic development.
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Delegates pose for a group photo at the ceremony. |
Through such projects, Japan aims to enhance Vietnam’s education quality and bolster the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Sharing Vietnam’s commitment to inclusive sustainable development, Japan promotes human security via its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.
On behalf of Cat Thinh Commune, Chairman Ha Bien Cuong thanked the Japanese Government and Ambassador for the project's prompt approval. He emphasized its long-term significance in improving infrastructure, ensuring student safety, and meeting educational reform requirements.
Translated by Trung Thanh