Thirty odd companies boasting expertise in various facets of education ranging from higher education to vocational training have signed up so far and have been deemed market ready by UKTI.

Today, Vietnam buys products and services worth US$ 4 billion from the UK

During the week, events hosted by the British Business Group Vietnam (BBVG) and Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in both the Hanoi and Hoh Chi Minh City will connect  Vietnamese officials and buyers with the UK visitors.

“Vietnam’s economy is going through the roof,” explained Christine Losecaat, UKTI sector specialist for the creative industries to The PIE News. “Education, is where there is particular demand. They have an enormous population under the age of 35 and there is demand from the government to up skill their work force.”

“They [the Vietnamese government] have a number of education strategies, which includes introducing English as a compulsory language at primary school by grade three and having 300 vocational training schools by 2015.”

Underling these goals is an effort to benefit from the global shift away from China as the centre of manufacturing and engage the potential Vietnam’s young population – 70% of which fall between the ages of 15 and 59- hold for educational investment.

“Fruits of this trip will most likely be harvest ready in two to three years, since most contracts and partnerships in this market require a lot of relationship building,” Losecaat added.

Returns are to be expected based on the strategic partnership agreement made between UK and Vietnam in 2010. Today, Vietnam buys products and services worth US$ 4 billion from the UK.