Fun and enriching summer playgrounds for children.

A summer without books

The Monday and Friday afternoon basketball lessons, led by coach Gian Nguyen Phuong Nam (Italy Sport Basketball Center), always hold special significance. During the summer, the number of students increases significantly as many parents want their children to have a place to exercise, improve their health, and relieve academic stress.

The class is part of the "Class of Love" project initiated by the Italy Sport Basketball Center, which has been running steadily for the past 5 years. The participants are mainly students from disadvantaged backgrounds, children from SOS Children's Villages, and nearly 10 children with developmental disorders (autism).

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hang, the parent of D.H., one of the first parents of students in this class, shared that thanks to learning basketball from an early age, her child is happier, less hyperactive, healthier, and less prone to obesity.

Currently, the Italy Sport Basketball Center is serving the needs of over 1,000 students across 12 locations in areas such as Vinh City, Dien Chau, Hung Nguyen, and Cua Lo. In addition to free or subsidized classes for special needs, the center is expanding its teaching scope to make it accessible to all students.

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Previously, many parents prioritized their children's academic studies. But now, the trend has changed: summer vacation is an opportunity for children to have fun, learn talents, and participate in sports.

Basketball is an effective physical training sport with a low risk of injury. At the same time, it helps students develop teamwork, discipline, and civilized play.

Coach Le Quoc Y - Head of Italy Sport Basketball Center

Since mid-May, the Thuong Thuong Arts Center has also recorded a large number of students registering for summer courses. In addition to traditional subjects such as piano, vocal music, dance, MC training, modern dance, and magic, music appreciation classes for children under 6 years old are receiving much attention.

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Thuong Thuong, the center's teacher, said: "The music appreciation class is an ideal choice for children who are not yet old enough to learn a musical instrument. Through movement and games, music helps children absorb knowledge more naturally. In particular, the parents' participation in the class makes children feel safer, more connected, and much happier."

Creating a healthy playing environment

At the Vietnam-Germany Children's Cultural Center, this summer dozens of skills and talent classes are being offered with tuition fees ranging from 700,000 to over 1 million VND per course. The diverse subjects, such as folk dance, guitar, dance classes, and life skills, attract a large number of students from elementary to high school.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Ha, Director of the Vietnam-Germany Cultural Center, said: "This year, we have added folk dance classes and life skills classes to equip students with skills to make friends, build connections, create trust in the classroom, and learn to respect and listen. The teachers participating in the classes are all experienced professionals with many years of experience in schools, so they understand and are closely aligned with the psychology of students."

At the high school level, many students choose arts-related subjects such as guitar or dance, hoping to acquire additional skills to keep up with current youth trends.

Le Nguyen Thang, a guitar teacher, commented: "Many children learn to play the guitar to develop their passion for art, but some simply want to be more confident in front of crowds. Despite their different goals, parents share a common desire: for their children to live in a healthy environment, away from electronic devices and negative habits during the summer."

Equip yourself with safety skills.

At the beginning of summer, Dien Ngoc Primary and Secondary School (Dien Chau) launched swimming classes at its newly built swimming pool, constructed under a socialized model. Teachers not only teach but also provide free support to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Teacher Ho Dinh Dien from Dien Ngoc Secondary School said: "Our area is close to rivers and the sea, so the risk of drowning is very high. In recent years, thanks to provincial project classes, quite a few students in the area have learned to swim. However, many still haven't received formal training."

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With current swimming classes, children can master a basic swimming skill in just 15 sessions. In addition, they will be equipped with "survival swimming" skills, helping them develop safety skills in water environments, maintain their body in underwater emergencies, and maintain the best possible swimming time.

Teacher Ho Dinh Dien - teacher at Dien Ngoc Secondary School (Dien Chau)

Besides Dien Ngoc, many other communes such as Minh Chau, Tho Loc, Dien Hai, Dien Hong, etc., are also implementing free or low-cost swimming lessons thanks to social resources and support from philanthropists.

In Nghi Trung commune (Nghi Loc district), swimming classes organized by the commune's Youth Union in coordination with Nghi Trung Secondary School began enrolling students in early May. This is also the first unit in the district to build a modern, standard-compliant swimming pool using socialized funding.

According to Mr. Le Xuan Truong, Secretary of the Youth Union of the commune: "We aim to popularize swimming for all students and equip them with skills to prevent and combat drowning. Simultaneously, we are stepping up propaganda efforts to raise parents' awareness and prevent complacency when children are playing in the water."