Hanoi children’s program fosters creativity and life skills nationwide

THE HANOI TIMES — Under Hanoi’s sweltering August sun, 9-year-old Tran Minh Duc beamed like the colorful flags above the program grounds. Fresh from a team challenge with new classmates, the Le Van Tam Primary School student said the best part was meeting new friends and older peers.

“I learned how to work in a team to solve problems. Learning is not only in books, but also in activities like this where we practice skills,” Duc told the Capital Youth Newspaper.

Duc was one of more than 1,700 children who filled the capital’s youth center on August 9 for the “Vietnamese Children – Creative Learning” program, a national program blending knowledge, creativity, and life skills in a vibrant playground for the country’s youngest citizens.

A playground with purpose

The program, guided by the Central Youth Council and organised by the Vietnam Children’s Support and Development Center in partnership with Masan MeatLife JSC, is part of a larger effort to implement Vietnam’s Education Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision toward 2045.

It also supports the “Learning Citizen” model for 2021–2030 under the Prime Minister’s directive.

Vice Chairman of the Central Youth Council Le Anh Quan said that the ‘Vietnamese Children – Creative Learning’ program is a playground for kids, nurturing intellect, sparking creativity, spreading a spirit of positive learning and developing well-rounded skills for the next generation.

He said, in today’s era of rapid technological change, learning can no longer be confined to textbooks. It must also foster creative thinking, life skills, and a sense of responsibility.

“The program’s activities, ranging from artistic performances to hands-on workshops, are designed to encourage children to be dynamic, caring and resilient,” said Quan

A central highlight was a set of life skills media resources distributed nationwide, including videos on drowning prevention, escaping from a locked car, basic first aid, communication skills, teamwork, personal health and public speaking.

Shared widely on social media, in youth team meetings, and during extracurricular sessions, the materials have reached 150 schools across Vietnam.

“Learning is not just a duty but a journey of exploring the world and oneself,” said Quan.

This playground is an opportunity for children to broaden their knowledge, develop life skills and cooperation, build confidence, and spark creative ideas for the future. Every good deed, every small act of creativity today will help shape a greater tomorrow.”

First nationwide rollout

Targeted at primary school children aged 6 to 10, the program aims to make knowledge accessible while promoting well-rounded development in skills, moral character, and awareness of children’s rights and responsibilities under Vietnamese law.

The 2024-2025 school year marks the first time “Vietnamese Children – Creative Learning” has been rolled out nationwide, from February to September. Alongside the digital resources, creative extracurricular programs have been introduced in 150 schools.

Two flagship events, in the southern province of Dong Nai Province and in Hanoi, served as focal points for the program. In Hanoi, children enjoyed artist meet-and-greets, creative games, and interactive activities, all designed to cultivate teamwork, problem-solving, and confidence.

For Vu Anh Thu from Hung Yen’s Youth Center, the day was unforgettable.

“It’s my first time at the program, and I feel so happy and excited. This will be a beautiful memory for my summer and give me more positive energy for the new school year,” said Thu.

The program not only provided a joyful space for children but also reinforced Vietnam’s vision of a young generation that learns actively, thinks creatively, and grows into responsible citizens.

As the event wound down and children posed for photos with friends and artists, the atmosphere remained charged with laughter and optimism. The “Vietnamese Children – Creative Learning” program had achieved its mission, showing that learning, when paired with creativity and compassion, is a lifelong adventure worth embracing.