The two Vietnamese representatives were among 55 new members from 27 countries and territories around the world to join the global network, UNESCO stated Tuesday.

All new members have proven that effective lifelong learning policies and practices can support the development of inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and contribute to UNESCO's 2030 agenda for sustainble development, the U.N. agency said.

Vinh, capital of Nghe An Province, around 330 km south of Hanoi, is home to one of the largest education and training centers in the region and intends to promote lifelong learning and provide more opportunities for its citizens to adapt to an increasingly globalized environment, achieve growth and develop sustainably, UNESCO said.

Sa Dec is described as a "peaceful town" in Dong Thap Province, serving both as a river port and an agricultural and industrial trading center, which hopes to build a prosperous and sustainable city based on knowledge and learning.

The town intends to provide learning opportunities that will create jobs and improve the lives of its people while sharing and acquiring knowledge from other cities in the network, it was noted.

The UNESCO GNLC is an international policy-oriented network geared towards knowledge production and sharing, peer learning, and capacity-building.

Inclusion of the new cities to GNLC, including those from Argentina, Colombia, Germany, Finland, South Korea, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Senegal, brings the total number of members to 230 in 64 countries and territories.

Members benefit from sharing lifelong learning policies and practices with other cities in the network, developing and exchanging knowledge on key challenges and solutions, taking part in training initiatives, and participation in regional and global events.