"Open classrooms" from heritage spaces

Cultural heritage is becoming a "living material" in education at schools in Phu Dong commune. From experiential learning sessions and extracurricular activities to creative models, incorporating heritage into schools not only helps students better understand their homeland but also fosters pride and a sense of preserving traditional values ​​from an early age.

The historical site space becomes part of the curriculum.

Phu Dong – the land associated with the legend of Saint Giong – has long been considered a special cultural space, a convergence point of many historical, religious, and cultural values. However, if these values ​​only exist in the community's memory, they will hardly reach the younger generation deeply through each festival. Therefore, the locality has introduced heritage education into schools, activating cultural resources within the educational environment.

The 9th day of the 4th lunar month is also the time when the Giong Festival – a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage – takes place. Locals have a saying: "Oh, on the 9th day of the 4th lunar month, if you don't go to the Giong Festival, your life will be wasted." To help students understand more about traditional culture, the Principal of Yen Vien Town Primary School organized a field trip for students to visit and learn about the history of the Giong Temple, a special national historical site dedicated to Phu Dong Thien Vuong, one of the "four immortals" of the Vietnamese people.

Teachers and students from Yen Vien Town Primary School visit and offer incense at Giong Temple. Photo: PV

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Dong, the school principal, said: “We believe that heritage education cannot follow the old methods. To make students love it, we must innovate the way we teach. During field trips and extracurricular activities at Giong Temple, students learn on the spot, listening to stories. This approach helps them not only “know” but also “understand” and “feel” the value of the heritage. The lessons therefore become more relatable, easier to understand, and more emotionally engaging.”

During extracurricular activities, the students have the opportunity to meet and listen to senior citizens. With a deep understanding of local history and culture, they recounted stories about the Giong Temple complex. The simple, authentic accounts from those deeply connected to the heritage created a powerful impact, helping students better appreciate the value of traditional culture. Through learning and experiential activities, students realized that for heritage to endure, it needs to be preserved and protected. From small actions like maintaining the cleanliness of the historical site and respecting the festival space, to spreading cultural values ​​to friends and family, they are gradually becoming young "cultural ambassadors."

Diversify forms of propaganda.

One notable activity was the collaboration between schools in Phu Dong commune and the Youth Union to organize membership ceremonies and Youth Union activities at the Giong Temple historical site. There, students listened to stories about Saint Giong defeating the An invaders, and the symbolic meaning of bamboo and the iron horse. Some branches of the Youth Union also organized visits for members to Phu Dong Temple, recording stories from elderly villagers – the "living archives" of the village – thus allowing the students to access cultural heritage in a visual and engaging way.

Schools are holding ceremonies to induct new members into the Young Pioneers and Youth Union right within the heritage site of Giong Temple. Photo: PV

Nguyen Duy Duc, a student from Yen Thuong Secondary School, said: “In the historical site, I have a completely different level of focus and interest. The practical knowledge helps me remember things much longer.”

In history lessons at Yen Thuong Primary School, teachers not only teach from the textbook but also incorporate stories about Saint Giong, the Giong Festival, and the unique local relics and customs.

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Lan, Principal of Phu Dong Primary School, shared that in addition to lectures, the school often organizes clubs and playgrounds related to local culture, such as drawing pictures of the Giong Temple relic, and storytelling competitions about legends. Through these activities, students not only acquire knowledge but also express their creativity and personal perspectives on their homeland's heritage. Notably, teachers have used images, videos , and digital products to introduce the heritage in a more engaging way. This approach is suitable for students in the digital age, bringing heritage closer to them.

Teacher Nguyen Ngoc Lan believes that heritage education is an effective way to cultivate character, patriotism, and national pride in students. Understanding their roots will provide them with a solid foundation for future development.
According to Nguyen Dinh Quang, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Dong commune, the commune currently has nearly 20,000 students at all levels. The locality has developed a "Project for the Preservation and Promotion of Cultural and Historical Heritage Values ​​Associated with Tourism Development to Create a Foundation for Sustainable Development in Phu Dong Commune in the period 2026-2030," which will strengthen propaganda and diversify forms of education on local heritage and history for students in schools.

"Heritage is incorporated into schools in a flexible and creative way, enriching the content of lessons and contributing to the formation of a generation of students who are knowledgeable, confident, and deeply connected to their homeland. And when they carry within themselves pride in the identity of their birthplace, that is also when heritage is protected in the most natural and sustainable way," said the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Dong commune.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/lop-hoc-mo-tu-khong-gian-di-san-748171.html