"Digital Light" in classrooms in mountainous regions.

Early in the morning in Tra Tap commune (Da Nang city), the road leading to the school campus of Chu Van An Ethnic Boarding Primary School was still shrouded in mist. Few would imagine that in a place once lacking electricity, internet, and equipment, each classroom now lights up with television screens and electronic lectures.

Báo Phụ nữ Việt Nam•29/04/2026

From "dead signal, white screen" to smart classrooms

Sitting in the fifth-grade classroom, students' eyes followed the video illustrating the Vietnamese language lesson. Teacher Nguyen Thi Thu Ba gently switched slides and asked questions. Gone was the monotonous scene of a blackboard and chalk; the lesson became a two-way interaction between teacher and students.

"In the past, students were quite passive, but since the introduction of electronic devices and lectures, they have become much more proactive, more confident in speaking up, and enjoy learning more," shared Ms. Thu Ba.

All 21 classrooms at Chu Van An Ethnic Boarding Primary School (Tra Tap commune) are equipped with televisions, facilitating the implementation of electronic lessons and the use of digital textbooks right in the classroom.

Achieving those lessons was a long journey. Mr. Truong Cong Mot, the school principal, led us through the new classrooms, each equipped with a television. Mr. Mot said, his voice filled with pride: “All 21 classrooms at the main school campus are equipped with televisions so that teachers can deliver digital lessons and access data from the electronic textbooks.”

The school in Tak Po village has been equipped with solar-powered lights, helping to maintain teaching activities in conditions where the national power grid is not yet stable.

Not only at the main campus, but also at the satellite locations, equipment is gradually being "covered." The school's IT room, with 26 computers connected to the internet, 10 newly provided computers, and dozens of tablets, is ready for use. These numbers, for a school in a mountainous region, represent a significant step forward.

"The school has also prepared for national standard school recognition and implemented digital transformation in teaching and management," added Mr. Truong Cong Mot. From budgetary resources to social contributions, each classroom has been modernized, creating a foundation for teachers to change their teaching methods.

Not far away, at Vo Nguyen Giap Ethnic Boarding Junior High School, the school's facilities are also being upgraded. Mr. Nguyen The Duy, the school's Vice Principal, recalled: “About 2-3 years ago, the investment in facilities became noticeable. Currently, 100% of the classrooms have televisions and projectors. The computer lab is equipped with 30 computers, and the Wi-Fi connection has been upgraded to bring knowledge across the mountains.”

Schools in Tra Tap commune are gradually being equipped with basic teaching equipment, marking a transition from classrooms without electricity to those capable of delivering electronic lessons.

Nevertheless, rural schools still face challenges such as "having to walk for an hour to reach them," unreliable internet connections, and unstable electricity supply.

Mr. Le Trung Thuc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Tra Tap commune, frankly stated: "Out of 39 large residential areas, only 14 currently have electricity. Solar power is available, but access to the national power grid remains difficult."

Digital transformation in preschool classrooms

At Chu Van An Ethnic Boarding Primary School, digital transformation in teaching and learning is being accelerated as the school begins piloting the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching for grades 3, 4, and 5.

Lessons at the village school have become more engaging thanks to digital transformation, making learning more interesting for students.

“The school also organized training and implemented AI integration for teachers in all subjects and educational activities. This is the ‘challenge’ and also the new benchmark for the ‘Excellent Teacher’ title at the school this academic year,” said Mr. Truong Cong Mot.

Accordingly, 100% of the school's teachers must master the equipment, use electronic lesson plans, and integrate technology into the classroom. Excellent lessons now not only demonstrate knowledge but also the ability to apply technology. The school is building a database with 10 sample video lessons, a "digital knowledge bank" for the entire school.

Teacher Truong Cong Mot monitors and manages the school's teaching activities and educational data through a digital system.

At the lower secondary level, digital transformation is being implemented more comprehensively. In an English lesson at Vo Nguyen Giap Ethnic Boarding Lower Secondary School, teacher Nguyen Thi Huyen didn't start with the textbook, but with a conversational video. Students participated in interactive games through the software, no longer appearing hesitant as before.

Teachers use lesson design software and interactive game creation tools to make lessons more engaging and attractive to students.

“In mountainous areas, English communication isn't easy. I had to research everything from creating accounts and getting Plickers cards to using Padlet… it was quite time-consuming but effective. Instead of passively learning, the students can now create conversational videos and learn through games. Seeing the students enthusiastic about the lesson makes all my fatigue disappear,” Ms. Huyen said.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huyen's English lessons utilize software such as Plickers and Padlet, along with illustrative videos, to enhance student engagement and interaction in the classroom.

From electronic record books to grading software, from slide lectures to learning-through-play activities, classrooms in mountainous areas are gradually approaching modern educational models. Mr. Nguyen The Duy, Deputy Principal of Vo Nguyen Giap Ethnic Boarding Junior High School, shared: “Digital transformation has been implemented from management to teaching, student assessment, etc., bringing about many positive changes.”

However, the journey to bring "digital light" to the remote highlands of Da Nang City still faces challenges regarding the roadmap to achieving national standards and the issue of sending third-grade students to boarding schools to better access technology. Nevertheless, with the concerted efforts of local authorities, schools, and the dedication of the teachers, these challenges are hoped to be gradually overcome.

Students are the connectors. They bring digital knowledge home, share it, and help parents better understand digital transformation.”

Mr. Truong Cong Mot, Principal of Chu Van An Ethnic Boarding Primary School