Speaking at the convention, deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan emphasised that  all countries consider educational development a key task in their socio-economic development strategy and that educational reform helps competitive advantages in the international arena. Education in the 21^st century must carry out human resources training to make globalisation a meaningful and beneficial process in all the country.

In recent years, Vietnam’s education trade union has closely worked with the Ministry of Education and Training to help the Party and State issue policies on taking care of teachers and those involved in education sector and create motivation to improve the quality of education. It has also actively developed ties of friendship and co-operation with educational trade unions of other countries around the world, including ASEAN.

This year's convention themed "ASEAN Council of Teachers' response to the economic crisis to ensure sustainable development" focussed discussions on the quality of learning and teaching at secondary schools and universities and  quality of life and qualifications of teachers and those working in the education sector.