World-famous Gaia Earth installation comes to Asia, at UNIS Hanoi

Suspended in UNIS Hanoi’s newly renovated Sports Centre, the seven-metre illuminated Earth installation features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface to recreate the view of the planet from space.

By hosting Gaia, UNIS Hanoi will become the first institution in Asia to present this celebrated work, underscoring Vietnam’s rising profile in global culture and sustainability.

Bringing Gaia to UNIS Hanoi has been made possible through the generous support of LPBank. Thanks to the UNIS–LPBank Endowment, Gaia’s powerful message will resonate across our community while underscoring UNIS Hanoi’s commitment to excellence, sustainability, and meaningful global engagement. Together with LPBank, we are shaping a future where education sparks action and creates lasting impact worldwide.

The timing of Gaia’s debut in Hanoi carries historic significance. The exhibition opens as the world commemorates UN@80, celebrating the United Nations’ 80th anniversary, and Vietnam@80, marking the nation’s independence and resilience since 1945.

A series of almost 140 curated events and tours will be hosted at UNIS Hanoi for local  partners including Vietnamese schools, NGOs, embassies, businesses and government representatives, connecting diverse communities in dialogue around sustainability and shared responsibility.

When Gaia moves to the Twin Dragons of West Lake, thousands of Hanoi residents and visitors will have the opportunity to share in this cultural and educational experience. Sponsored by UNIS Hanoi, the installation will be open to the public from 29 October to 1 November.

“As the United Nations marks 80 years of global cooperation, it is deeply meaningful to see Gaia in Vietnam for the very first time,“ Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator to Vietnam (UNRC), said. “This exhibition is more than art, it is a living classroom for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, brought to life through UNIS Hanoi’s powerful interpretation".

“Hosting Gaia during the 80-year anniversaries of both the United Nations and Vietnam is a profound reminder of our shared responsibility,” added Dr Elizabeth M. Gale, Head of School at UNIS Hanoi. “The SDG Experience shows how we prepare young people not only to imagine a more sustainable world, but to lead in creating it. It is a truly transformative experience that connects our students directly to the planet they will inherit". 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang expressed his pleasure and honor to attend such a meaningful event at a school that embodies the spirit of the United Nations - a place that promotes the values of learning, global citizenship, and international cooperation. He highly commended the role and contributions of UNIS Hanoi over more than three decades, as one of only two United Nations international schools in the world and a symbol of the strong partnership between Vietnam and the United Nations.

Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang emphasized that the 80th anniversary of the United Nations is an opportunity to look back on the organization’s remarkable achievements in maintaining peace, promoting sustainable development, and strengthening multilateralism. It is also a time to look forward — to enhance cooperation and take collective action to address global challenges such as conflict, poverty, inequality, climate change, and natural disasters.

He affirmed that education plays a pivotal role in nurturing compassion, wisdom, and a shared sense of responsibility among the younger generation.

In this context, the Deputy Minister praised UNIS Hanoi’s efforts to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals into its curriculum and to inspire students to become responsible global citizens, contributing to the building of a peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable world.

He expressed his admiration for the powerful message conveyed by the artwork Mother Earth Gaia, calling it a profound reminder of humanity’s shared responsibility to protect our planet - the common home of humankind. The exhibition highlights the importance of implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Declaration on Future Generations, in which young people play a vital role as agents of change and essential partners in shaping a sustainable future.

Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang also called on young people to nurture their dreams, keep learning, and dedicate themselves to advancing the United Nations’ mission of peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.

For its display at UNIS Hanoi, Gaia is paired with the Gaia SDG Experience, an interactive showcase that demonstrates how the School integrates the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its teaching and community life.

By linking global challenges with local action, the exhibition highlights sustainability values for Vietnam’s youth, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. It reflects how education and art can work hand-in-hand to inspire urgent climate action and empower the next generation of leaders.

Artist Luke Jerram shared: “I hope the opportunity to see the Earth in its full splendour will be a humbling, inspiring and unifying experience for everyone who encounters it. Knowing that Gaia is being hosted by UNIS Hanoi, a UN school interpreting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through education and community, makes this installation especially powerful”.