1. Belonging to the 70s generation, growing up in Pleiku during the "dusty, muddy, and rainy" era, and once captivated by games like playing marbles, flying kites, jumping sheep, and playing O An Quan (a traditional Vietnamese board game), photographer Nguyen Linh Vinh Quoc is easily moved by the familiar images of children in the highlands. To preserve the children's naturalness, he quietly observes, adjusts the angle, waits for the perfect moment, and then presses the shutter button.
From his field trips to villages and his travels through the remote mountains and hills of Gia Lai , he has brought back many satisfying works on the theme of childhood. His recent works transport viewers back to their own childhood: Marbles rolling under the joyful gaze of children, with stilt houses and haystacks in the background; little ones playing in the dirt, catching fish, jumping like sheep… There are also pictures of entire families flying kites in the windy afternoon, or children playing soccer while adults are roofing a communal house… All subtly convey the message: Childhood grows up in connection with family, community, nature, and identity.
"It's a shame that these simple games are gradually disappearing. Life is so modern now, city children no longer know about these games…," Vinh Quoc confided.
2. With the same sense of regret, artist Nguyen Van Chung focuses on urban children, whose childhood is encroached upon by the virtual world . His recently released series of works, "Night Owls" (oil-based brush on canvas), serves as a reminder of children who "sleep during the day and work at night," withdrawing into themselves with their mobile phones.
He expressed his concern: “Children today spend too much time on phones and smart devices because they are captivated by the virtual world. The phenomenon of ‘living in isolation while glued to a phone’ is not just a habit but has become a serious problem, negatively impacting many aspects of life. Therefore, through the work 'Night Owl,' I hope that future generations will see the changes in themselves, adjust their lifestyles accordingly, and find a balance.”
Another of his works, "Absence…!" (mixed media), evokes a sense of emptiness: A small dog is lost amidst toys and chalk-drawn hopscotch, while the surrounding walls are crammed with game characters. This contrast serves as a warning: Children are forgetting traditional games, losing experiences that involve imagination and real-life interaction.
Nevertheless, artist Nguyen Van Chung still shares the belief that, with love, patience, and responsibility, we can absolutely help children escape their "addiction" to technology and move towards a balanced, healthy, and happy life.
3. Poet Truong Cong Tuong, a writer from the Hoai An midland region, has quietly devoted his attention to children's poetry for the past five years. He often chooses everyday images, stories, or fairytale settings to convey in his works, gently stimulating the reader's imagination. For example, in a recent work, he wrote: "I release a paper boat / Letting my dreams drift far away / Raindrops like memories / Carrying the image of my homeland" (Oh Rain).
Poet Truong Cong Tuong hopes that these stories and images will help children explore the colorful and vibrant world around them. He believes this world will penetrate their souls, nurturing and guiding their aesthetic sense, enhancing their ability to perceive, think, and feel. “In a rapidly changing world, especially in today’s digital age, I think these things are more necessary than ever. I’m working on a separate poetry collection and hope my short poems will touch the hearts of young readers,” he revealed.
A prominent figure in children's literature nationwide today is writer Moc An (also known as Dr. Nguyen Thi Nguyet Trinh, lecturer at Quy Nhon University). She has published dozens of books and won numerous major awards, including the Cricket's Aspiration Award (2023) and the National Book Award (2024). In early July 2025, she will release a novel.
The Black Thief in the Kingdom of Sunflowers (Literature Publishing House, 2025) takes readers on a journey to explore a fantastical world while raising profound questions about freedom, memory, friendship, and love.
Writer Moc An confided: "My childhood was full of country games, strolls along the riverbank, stories my grandmother told under the oil lamp, straw-paper books with fairy tales. Writing is how I reconnect with the child within me."
4. Gia Lai also has musicians who quietly but persistently dedicate themselves to composing songs about children. Musician and sculptor Le Trong Nghia once published a collection of songs titled "One Good Thing Every Day" (2020) containing 50 songs set to poems and folk songs. The book won the B prize (there was no A prize) at the Literature and Arts Awards of the Vietnam Union of Associations of Literature and Arts in 2021.
He shared: “When reading any poem, if emotion arises, the melody will spontaneously emerge. Usually, I will write it down immediately, fearing that if I wait too long, I will lose that initial feeling. I write for my daughter and for innocent children. I believe that simple, warm songs will contribute to nurturing their souls.”
Contributing to the flow of children's music, composer Cao Ky Nam, currently a lecturer at Quy Nhon University, has written nearly a dozen songs and uploaded them to YouTube to spread their message. His latest work, "Khai Tam, Giving Away All the Love," was written in 2024 as a gift to students, especially those at the Khai Tam Center, which cares for autistic children. He shared: "I want to compose many songs to bring joy and laughter to the children. I hope these compositions will contribute to nurturing their educational and aesthetic values."
Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/cham-vao-the-gioi-tre-tho-post563784.html
![[Photo] Soldiers return home to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) with the people of Yang Mao remote commune.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/02/13/1770972833933_img-0360-8494-9922-jpg.webp)
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