Global citizenship education towards the sustainable development goal in Vietnam today

The twenty-first century is characterized by unprecedented global challenges, ranging from strategic competition among major powers, religious and ethnic conflicts, and territorial disputes to climate change, social inequality, pandemics, environmental degradation, and resource depletion. In this context, the demand for an educational paradigm that equips citizens with the knowledge, competencies, and values necessary to address global issues has become increasingly urgent, particularly in Vietnam. This study explores the opportunities and challenges of implementing Global Citizenship Education (GCED) as a strategic response to these pressing issues. Employing a qualitative research design that integrates analytical, synthetic, comparative, philosophical, and historical methods, the article examines both international frameworks and the Vietnamese context to identify areas of convergence and divergence. The findings suggest that while Vietnam has made significant progress in embedding global perspectives into its educational policies, there remain substantial gaps in curriculum design, teacher training, and assessment mechanisms. The article concludes by proposing fundamental solutions—such as curriculum innovation, pedagogical reform, and international cooperation—that can strengthen the effectiveness of GCED in Vietnam, thereby contributing to the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4.7.