Elementary school students in border areas perform an "awesome" dance during extracurricular activities.

Students and teachers from Tam Quang 1 Primary School perform the Xáo Xiêng Khoảng dance. (Image cropped from a video clip)

The nearly 4-minute clip shows a teacher and her students dancing the graceful lam dances of the Thai ethnic group, combined with rhythmic steps and clapping to the soothing Lao music called "Xao Xieng Khouang".

This clip was recorded by Ms. Vo Kim Anh, the school's head of the Youth Union, and posted on her personal account, where it was enjoyed and shared by many people.

Video clip of students and teacher dancing to the song: Xáo Xiêng Khoảng

Ms. Vo Kim Anh said: "I saw that the children really enjoyed these dance performances, and I didn't think they would be so popular."

Not only did this practical activity receive support from the online community, but it also received great encouragement from the school's leadership, the Education Department of Tuong Duong district, and local parents.

Mr. Bui Danh Vinh, Principal of Tam Quang 1 Primary School, shared: “Right from the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year, the school assigned the responsibility to the head teacher in charge of the student team to organize cultural and recreational activities that were both entertaining and educational for the students. It was truly encouraging when the teacher and students created a beautiful performance that exceeded expectations. Besides the dance shown above, Ms. Kim Anh also taught the students many other lively and cheerful dances and routines.”

Ms. Hoang Thi Thap, a parent residing in Son Ha village, Tam Quang commune, shared: “We send our children to school to learn numbers and letters, but it was a pleasant surprise that the school also teaches them traditional dances. We are very proud to see our children become guardians and promoters of our ethnic group's cultural identity.”

It is known that in the 2017-2018 school year, the Education Department of Tuong Duong district launched many activities combining teaching and learning with healthy recreational activities for teachers and students throughout the district. The goal was to teach knowledge while simultaneously developing skills for students, and to educate them to be aware of preserving and promoting the finest aspects of national culture.

Besides the dance performance mentioned above, the students of Tam Quang 1 Primary School also learned many other very fun dances. Photo: Kim Anh

Ms. Vi Thi Bich Thuy, Head of the Education and Training Department of Tuong Duong District, said: The group performance by teachers and students of Tam Quang 1 Primary School is being replicated in all primary and secondary schools throughout the district. “In the coming time, the district's Education Department will launch many educational and recreational activities to make schoolyards truly a trusted place for parents and students. This is also a practical and effective way to encourage students to voluntarily attend school,” Ms. Thuy added.