Early financial education helps children understand the value of money and appreciate labor.

(Dan Tri) - As financial fraud is rampant in cyberspace and consumer habits change every day, every child needs to be equipped with financial knowledge early on.

Worrying situation

According to data from the Ministry of Public Security , in the first 8 months of 2025, nearly 1,500 online fraud cases were discovered, causing losses of more than 1,600 billion VND. The victims were not only the elderly but also students who are very knowledgeable about technology. They were caught up in tricks such as "online kidnapping", "easy work, high salary", "fake scholarships" or "super profitable virtual currency investment".

Teacher Le Van Nga - a teacher in Hanoi - commented: Students today are very sensitive to technology, but lack financial skills. They easily believe in sweet invitations, without realizing that behind them is a scam trap. If they do not prepare early, they can easily become victims in the digital society.

Learning about finance will help children understand that money does not “grow naturally” but is the result of labor, creativity and sweat and tears. When they know that, they will appreciate their parents’ efforts, not waste money and be more responsible in spending. “Making money is hard, keeping money is even harder”, a financial lesson that teachers often remind students in class.

Financial education helps children plan their spending, set savings goals, and understand that they should not always borrow. These lessons are the foundation for children to grow up with healthy financial behavior, avoiding falling into bad credit or wasteful spending.

In the context of widespread online fraud, basic financial knowledge is the "vaccine" that helps children identify risks and save themselves from many scams.

To meet that urgent need, the Financial Education book series edited by Ms. Le Thi Thuy Sen - Editor-in-Chief of Banking Times - was born. This is the first financial education book series, published by the Vietnam Education Publishing House and Tan Viet Bookstore for students from grade 1 to grade 12, with a scientific and systematic design.

Financial Education book series by author Le Thi Thuy Sen (Photo: Tan Viet Bookstore).

The highlight of the book series is that it is easy to understand - easy to remember - easy to apply for students, easy to teach - easy to implement for teachers, with accompanying instruction documents.

The book series has been advised by leading experts such as: Distinguished Teacher, Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Hoang Ngan, National Assembly Delegate of the XIII, XIV, XV terms; Dr. Le Xuan Nghia, Member of the National Financial and Monetary Policy Advisory Council; Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Thi Hoang Anh, Deputy Director in charge of the Board of Directors of the Banking Academy; Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Cong Gia Khanh, Principal of the University of Economics and Law, Ho Chi Minh City National University; Lawyer Truong Thanh Duc - a lawyer specializing in economics, finance, and banking.

With the integration of more than 100 folk songs and proverbs, knowledge is close and rich in humanity. Each lesson is divided into 4 clear parts: Understand correctly - Use well - Financial intelligence - Be smart with money.

Ms. Tran Huyen My (Thanh Tri Secondary School, Hanoi) commented: “This set of learning materials is very good. Students will avoid illegal credit, overspending, and online fraud if they learn it early.”

Teacher Nguyen Thi Linh - Nguyen Thien Thuat Secondary School, Khoai Chau Commune, Hung Yen Province - shared that the book series is good in terms of financial knowledge but is led by everyday stories using folk songs and proverbs, so it is rich in education and humanity. Students are not only equipped with economic and financial knowledge but also learn lessons about love for the homeland, love for work, filial piety and responsibility in life.

Excitedly holding the book set in his hands, Nguyen Hai Long, Quang Trung Primary School, Hanoi, said that the knowledge in the book set is very interesting and useful, helping him understand more about the value of money and the hard work of his parents every day to raise him. Moreover, the book also has many proverbs and good stories that help each student like Long understand more about many things in life.

Although it has only been released for a short time, the Financial Education book series has received positive reception from schools and parents. Through surveys at schools, the Financial Education book series has been chosen by many students in the second session curriculum.

Ms. Nguyen Kim Thoa, Director of Tan Viet Bookstore (Tan Viet Books), said that as soon as it was released, the above book series became one of the best-selling publications of Tan Viet Bookstore.

From an expert perspective, Associate Professor Dr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of FPT, assessed that the Financial Education book series is a valuable effort to bring basic financial knowledge to primary, middle and high school students.

Practicing good spending habits from a young age will help the future generation of national leaders appreciate the value of labor, and develop understanding and the ability to manage personal finances and the macro economy - indispensable assets for every person.

The interesting thing in the lessons is that the author incorporates folk songs and proverbs that are deeply imbued with Vietnamese cultural identity, making financial knowledge more familiar and easier to absorb. The fact that the book's content introduces technological trends contributes to communication and promotes stronger digital transformation of the banking and financial industry in the new era.

Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Cuong - Member of the National Assembly's Economic and Financial Committee, Vice Chairman of the State Council of Professors - said that money is something familiar to everyone (from children to the elderly), but not everyone understands money correctly, and many people make mistakes because of money.

Financial education helps students gain basic knowledge about money, know how to use money appropriately, see the monetary policy management mechanism of the State Bank and understand financial relationships related to money use to consider and make appropriate choices when deciding to participate.

John Quelch, CEO of Surfin Meta, author of several famous business books in the US and globally, affirms that financial education for young people is essential for the happiness and long-term stability of each family, and for the success of each country.

“Financial education not only teaches us about finance but also teaches us about the importance of integrity and mutual respect in building an economy based on trust and effective cooperation,” Professor John Quelch emphasized.

The “financially smart family” model

Not only can it be taught in schools, with a system of detailed and easy-to-understand instructions, parents can also accompany their children in teaching them knowledge from the financial education book series. An important advantage is that the book series is very cheap, only from 20,000 - 28,000 VND/book, suitable for the budget of the majority of Vietnamese families.

This allows every family to buy and study with their children at home, forming a model of “financially smart families”. Parents are both companions and “second teachers”, helping their children understand money, appreciate hard work and learn how to spend wisely.

An important advantage is that the book set is very cheap, only 20,000 - 28,000 VND/book, suitable for the budget of the majority of Vietnamese families (Photo: Tan Viet Bookstore).

If school is the place to sow the seeds of knowledge, then family is the “land” to nurture habits. When parents study the Financial Education book series with their children, each family can become a small classroom where the value of money is exchanged through real experiences.

Parents also have the role of setting an example, children learn not only from books, but also from the way their parents spend, save, and invest. A reminder when going to the supermarket, a small example when paying the electricity and water bill… are vivid lessons.

In addition, each family member can study and discuss together. The book series is designed to be easy to understand and apply, so both parents and children can study together. All members discuss spending plans, saving for vacations, or making reasonable shopping plans.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phu (Cau Giay, Hanoi) shared: "I want my child to learn to understand the value of money, thereby appreciating the efforts of his parents and knowing how to spend wisely."

Teacher Le Van Nga, Linh Dam Secondary School, expressed his hope that the Financial Education book series will be a reliable companion, not only imparting knowledge, but also opening up thinking and cultivating good qualities for students.

Therefore, helping children form healthy financial habits, appreciate labor, consume wisely and live responsibly are important foundations for them to be more steadfast in their journey to becoming proactive, confident and successful citizens in the future.

Ms. Sai Thu Van hopes that the financial education subject will soon be included in the second session curriculum so that students can access financial knowledge right from school, thereby avoiding scams, black credit traps, etc.

Early financial education is an investment in the future. When each child understands the value of money, appreciates labor, saves and spends wisely, society will have a generation of mature, independent and courageous citizens.

Bringing financial education into the second day of school, while encouraging each family to apply the book series at home, is the most effective way to build a Vietnam of financially savvy families, a safe young generation and a healthy society.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/giao-duc-tai-chinh-tu-som-de-tre-hieu-gia-tri-dong-tien-va-quy-suc-lao-dong-20251026150734715.htm