International Children’s Day: Nurturing future generations

Children participate in activities at the Robotics Competition and STEM Festival organized by the City Youth Union in coordination with relevant agencies.

In recent years, numerous meaningful and practical programs have been implemented, helping to improve children's living conditions and creating a healthy environment for learning and recreation. These efforts have also contributed to nurturing their character, inspiring dreams and aspirations, and encouraging them to become responsible and productive members of society.

Improving living conditions

This is one of the key objectives pursued by all levels, sectors, and organizations, including the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (Youth Union) and the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization (HYPO). Nguyen Tran Phuong Ha, Deputy Secretary of the City Youth Union, Chairwoman of the City Student Association, and Chairwoman of the City HYPO Council, said that the “For Beloved Children” campaign has recently been implemented by Youth Union and HYPO organizations at all levels through a wide range of practical and effective activities. During the 2025–2026 school year, Youth Union and HYPO organizations across the city mobilized nearly 13 billion VND in resources, organized more than 35,000 activities, and provided support for over 158,000 children facing difficult circumstances. In addition, the City Youth Union and the City HYPO Council directed schools to implement various support models for HYPO members and children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Thieu Thi Thao, General Manager of the HYPO of Tran Van On Primary and Secondary School in Bom Bo commune, said that, in implementing the policy of “Each Organization and Individual Linked to a Humanitarian Address,” the school and its Inter-Chapter of HYPO provide annual support to four students facing difficult circumstances. In addition, the school has maintained the “Piggy Banks for Lunar New Year (Tet) Gifts for Disadvantaged Friends” model for many years, making it a meaningful humanitarian activity. At the beginning of each school year, chapters of HYPO launch a piggy bank fundraising campaign. Ahead of the Tet holiday, the piggy banks are opened, and the funds collected are used to provide Tet gifts for students facing difficulties from each class. On average, the school’s Inter-Chapter of HYPO provides Tet gifts to around 20 members and children each year. The organization also mobilizes resources through the “Fund for Disadvantaged Friends” to support students facing unexpected hardships.

Caring for children is not only the responsibility of the Youth Union and the HYPO organizations but also receives strong support from authorities, sectors, organizations, and the wider community. On major holidays, during Tet, and at the beginning of each school year, various forms of assistance are provided, including gifts, bicycles, scholarships, and other support for children, particularly those facing difficult circumstances. Several organizations have implemented effective and meaningful initiatives. Notably, the Dong Nai City Women's Union has maintained the “Godmother” program, under which individuals and organizations sponsor and provide monthly support for orphaned students, helping them overcome difficulties and continue their studies.

Nguyen Minh Kien, Member of the City Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai City, and Secretary of the City Youth Union, presents gifts to students facing difficult circumstances at the 2026 “Healthy and Happy Festival – Stepping Forward to the Youth Union.” Photo: Nga Son.

Nguyen Thi Yen Nhi, a fourth-grade student in Class 4A5 at Tan Thanh B Primary School in Tan Tien commune, was among 20 students who recently received scholarships at the signing ceremony of the “Accompanying Women in Border Areas” program for the 2026–2030 period between the Dong Nai City Women's Union and the City Border Guard Command. Yen Nhi said that, beyond its material value, the scholarship reflects the care and support of the community. She expressed her determination to continue being a well-behaved student, study diligently, and strive to become a responsible and useful citizen, worthy of the trust and support she has received.

Creating conditions for children to play and practice skills

Along with activities to care for material well-being and improve living conditions for children, all levels and sectors also focus on organizing many recreational and entertainment activities, especially during holidays, Children's Day (June 1), the Action Month for Children, and summer. This helps create an environment for children to play, practice skills, and develop comprehensively both physically and mentally.

Nguyen Tran Phuong Ha, Deputy Secretary of the City Youth Union, said that organizing recreational activities and providing life-skills education for children during the summer is essential. As organizations responsible for caring for and supporting adolescents and children, the City Youth Union and the City HYPO Council will proactively coordinate during the summer with the education, culture, and health sectors, as well as local authorities and schools, to organize a wide range of activities for children. These activities will include programs to nurture talents in culture, arts, physical education, and sports; experiential learning opportunities; life-skills training; and initiatives to enhance students’ foreign language proficiency.

This summer, the City Youth and Children's Cultural House will continue to organize talent development classes based on children’s interests, along with summer life-skills training courses. At the same time, it will maintain a wide range of recreational, cultural, and educational activities aimed at enhancing life skills and promoting physical well-being. Various competitions and enrichment programs for children will also be organized.

Truong Hai Thi, Deputy Director of the City Youth and Children's Cultural House

To launch the Action Month for Children and summer activities in 2026, the City Youth Union, in coordination with the Department of Education and Training, organized the opening ceremony of the 1st Dong Nai Children's Festival 2026 on International Children’s Day (June 1). The festival is also a significant cultural event for the children of Dong Nai, marking the establishment of Dong Nai City. The Dong Nai Children's Festival is scheduled to take place at two venues: Tran Bien ward on June 1–2 and Binh Phuoc ward on June 7–8.

Within the framework of the festival, a wide range of activities will be organized, including book exhibitions and sales offering children’s books at preferential prices; displays of award-winning paintings from children's competitions held in Dong Nai in recent years; and interactive experiences such as making traditional to he figurines (Vietnam’s folk toys which are small, colorful figurines made from glutinous rice powder), pottery crafting, throwing con balls (a popular folk game of the Thai ethnic minority people, during which Thai boys and girls have an opportunity to find their partners and express their affection), and bamboo dancing. The festival will also feature a showcase of ethnic musical instruments and cultural performances. In addition, children will have the opportunity to experience artificial intelligence technology through activities that encourage them to visualize and create images of Dong Nai City in the future. Exhibitions of STEM products, robotics models, and robot demonstrations are also held. The festival will further include programs designed to enhance children's social integration skills, nurture talents in modern dance and public communication, and promote children's right to participate.

Previously, the Department of Health, in coordination with the People's Committees of Loc Ninh ward and Phuoc An commune, organized the “Childhood Festival” program, featuring a variety of game booths and recreational activities. The program provided children with opportunities to engage in healthy and meaningful summer activities.

Providing care for children and organizing recreational, educational, and life-skills activities not only support their physical and intellectual development but also help cultivate essential qualities and life skills. These efforts contribute to building their confidence, creativity, and personal growth.