A warning bell from the raging waters.
On May 15th, amidst the sweltering early summer weather, MMC, VTS (both born in 2009), and MTD (born in 2011), all residing in Khau Vai commune, went swimming in the stream near the hydroelectric power plant. While playing, MTD unfortunately drowned in the strong current. Upon discovering her friend in distress, MMC immediately jumped in to rescue her and managed to bring her safely to shore.
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| The Then singing and Tinh lute playing class, directly taught by folk artist Tham Ngoc Kien from Minh Xuan ward, attracts a large number of students. |
However, just a few minutes later, VTS was in danger again in the deep water. Without hesitation, MMC jumped in to save his friend once more. Amidst the raging current, the bravery of the young student could not overcome the fierce force of the water. Both children were swept away by the current.
Immediately after receiving the report, the Ha Giang Fire and Rescue Police Team, in coordination with the Khau Vai Commune Police and local residents, organized a search along the riverbed and suspected locations. Due to the strong current and treacherous terrain, the search operation faced many difficulties. After many hours of effort, by the morning of May 17th, the authorities found the body of the last victim, bringing it back amidst the heartbreaking grief of their loved ones.
According to statistics, from 2015 to the present, the Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police force of Tuyen Quang province has directly participated in 78 drowning rescue operations, mobilizing 864 officers and soldiers along with 159 vehicles; and organized the search and recovery of 86 bodies, which were handed over to the relevant authorities for processing according to regulations.
Lack of playgrounds, lack of life skills.
Behind the recent series of drowning incidents lies not only momentary carelessness but also a worrying reality: children are severely lacking safe play spaces and essential life skills to protect themselves.
In many areas, especially rural and mountainous regions, after the school year ends, children have almost no suitable places for summer activities. Village cultural centers and community sports fields are either lacking or poorly functioning; there are no swimming pools, playgrounds, or skills classes for children. Meanwhile, parents are busy with work and have little time to supervise their children regularly, so children easily gather together to swim in rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes to cool off.
In some areas, children grow up near rivers and streams, easily developing a sense of complacency and familiarity with the aquatic environment. However, most of them lack the knowledge to identify dangers such as strong currents, deep holes, whirlpools, or unusual water level changes in hydroelectric areas and dams. Many accidents occur, but a lack of safe rescue skills leads to tragic consequences.
Currently, education on drowning prevention skills mainly focuses on raising awareness and reminding students, lacking practical, hands-on activities. Many schools, especially in remote areas, lack the resources to organize swimming lessons or escape skills training for students, leading to children lacking the reflexes to react when faced with real-life dangers.
In urban areas, the fast-paced lifestyle and work pressure inadvertently lead parents to allow smartphones, social media, and online games to become constant companions for children during much of the summer break. This dependence on electronic devices negatively impacts physical health, limits communication skills, independence, and adaptability in social environments.
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| Children learn swimming skills at the Provincial Youth Cultural and Sports Center. |
Community working together
Following a series of recent child drowning incidents, the Ministry of Health has issued urgent dispatch No. 3574/BYT-BMTE to the People's Committees of provinces and cities, urging them to strengthen accident and injury prevention and drowning prevention efforts among children during the summer and rainy seasons, in accordance with the law and programs and plans approved by the Prime Minister.
Following the directives of the Central Government, on May 20, 2026, the Provincial People's Committee issued document No. 3626/UBND-NC requesting each agency, unit, and locality to seriously implement measures to prevent drowning accidents and ensure traffic order and safety in the province. The heads of Party committees, governments, agencies, and units will be held responsible if lax management, lack of inspection, or supervision leads to an increase in serious accidents in their respective areas and fields of responsibility.
Colonel Do Van Hanh, Head of the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department of the Provincial Police, said: “Right from the beginning of the hot season, the unit has advised on solutions to prevent child drowning. At the same time, we have organized training on disaster prevention; search and rescue skills and initial first aid for commune-level police forces to improve their ability to handle situations at the grassroots level.”
The police in communes and wards have simultaneously surveyed high-risk areas such as rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, hydroelectric dams, and dangerous deep water areas to erect warning signs, barriers, and lifebuoys, and to increase inspections and reminders. In addition, they have closely coordinated with political and social organizations and schools to organize mobile awareness campaigns and provide guidance on drowning prevention skills to students and residents in key areas.
Comrade La Thi Giang, Vice Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Thai Son commune and Secretary of the Youth Union of Thai Son commune, shared: “The Youth Union of the commune has just established the model “Youth participating in ensuring security and order and preventing and combating crime”. In addition to placing warning signs in Thai Thuy village 1 and Thai Thuy village 3, to improve the effectiveness of propaganda, the Youth Union of the commune has innovated communication methods by using videos and visual images applying AI technology posted on social media, helping young people easily access and remember skills to prevent accidents, injuries, and drowning.”
Comrade Do Thi Khanh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Youth Union Council and Deputy Director of the Provincial Youth Culture and Sports Center, affirmed: “The Center has implemented talent classes, life skills classes, sports activities, and experiential learning programs for children such as swimming, martial arts, fine arts, modern dance, table tennis, and badminton. These programs attract a large number of students, providing them with a beneficial playground, improving their health, and promoting holistic development.”
In particular, the space for practicing Then singing and playing the Tinh lute, directly taught by folk artist Tham Ngoc Kien from Minh Xuan ward at the Provincial Youth Culture and Sports Center, is becoming a meaningful meeting place for young people who love traditional culture. Through the simple melodies of Then and the sounds of the Tinh lute, the children not only get to experience the unique folk art of the Tay ethnic group but also gain a deeper understanding of their homeland's cultural identity.
Pham Thuy Duong, a student in class 7D at Le Quy Don Secondary School, expressed: “The club has 25 members. I feel very happy and excited to learn new songs and make friends with similar interests. Through the class, I understand more about my national culture and hope to continue learning more traditional cultural forms to contribute to spreading love for national culture to the younger generation.”
Summer will only truly be a joyful time when children live in a safe environment and have meaningful experiences. Therefore, more than ever, the joint efforts of all levels of government, sectors, families, and communities in creating healthy playgrounds are the most practical way to ensure children have peaceful holidays filled with laughter.
Mulan
Proactively protect children.
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| Comrade La Dang Tai Deputy Director of the Department of Health |
Summer vacation is an ideal time for children to play and recharge after a school year. However, it is also a time with high potential for safety risks, especially the risk of children falling into the trap of online distractions due to a lack of close supervision from their families.
The overuse of electronic devices and excessive immersion in the internet not only increases physical illnesses, but more worryingly, has serious mental health consequences. Exposure to harmful information can distort children's perceptions; isolation in the virtual world increases the rate of depression and anxiety, severely impairs real-life social interaction, and leads to internet addiction, causing children to gradually isolate themselves.
To create a safe and healthy summer for children, parents need to proactively control their children's online time and content, and encourage them to participate in outdoor physical activities, talent classes, or local summer volunteer campaigns.
Creating a safe environment for children.
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| Comrade Ho Thi Hong Lam Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Binh Commune |
From the beginning of summer, the People's Committee of the commune directed a review of areas with potential safety risks in the locality. Warning signs were erected in the irrigation area of village 4, the ecological lake of village 3, and many ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams in the villages to raise awareness of preventing drowning accidents among the people, especially children.
At the same time, schools are directed to coordinate with villages to hand over students for summer activities in their localities and sign commitments with parents regarding the management of their children during the summer break. In addition, they are to coordinate with the police force and socio-political organizations to strengthen propaganda in villages and schools; guide children and parents on skills to prevent drowning and handle situations when encountering water accidents, contributing to improving children's self-protection skills during the summer break.
Understanding leads to companionship and support.
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| Pham Thi Thu Huyen, Master of Psychology Former Lecturer at Tan Trao University |
Agencies, units, and schools need to further strengthen activities for children such as: traditional education, life skills, prevention of drowning, injuries, and child abuse, traffic safety awareness, environmental protection, and safe use of social media. Along with that, more classes should be opened for extracurricular activities such as music, drawing, vocal training, and dance, as well as skills like swimming and hosting, to give children more choices for learning and activities. Furthermore, it is necessary to strengthen the organization of clubs, teams, and groups, and programs and activities initiated by children to promote their right to participate; and to implement safe, healthy, and appropriate recreational, physical, and sports activities for children, tailored to the conditions of each family and the specific characteristics of the locality and unit.
To help children better understand life, families can also allow them to participate in experiences and learn about different professions, thereby giving them an understanding of life and benefiting their future career orientation. Within the family, parents must be close to and understand their children in order to make adjustments and provide guidance that helps them progress daily.
A variety of summer playgrounds for children.
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| Comrade Nguyen Mai Phuong Vice Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee, Secretary of the Youth Union of Phu Luu Commune |
This summer, the Youth Union of the commune coordinated the opening of Vovinam and swimming classes for children aged 8 and above. In addition, we mobilized social resources to support the installation of playground equipment at the cultural centers in Na Luoc, Trung Tam, and Lam Tien villages, worth approximately 10 million VND.
In the coming period, the Phu Luu Commune Youth Union will continue to maintain and expand practical summer activities, strengthen resource mobilization to build more playgrounds for children, contributing to helping them have an environment for comprehensive development in both physical and mental aspects.
Have a fun and safe summer!
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| Nguyen Mai Chau Anh Minh Xuan Ward |
I hope that villages and neighborhoods will organize more summer activities with instructors, such as football, badminton, painting, or other group games. With safe and healthy playgrounds, children will avoid gathering in dangerous places or using their phones excessively. However, I see many playgrounds are in poor condition, located near ponds, lakes, and roads, making them very dangerous for young children. Therefore, adults need to regularly inspect and repair playgrounds so that we can play in a safer environment. In addition, parents and teachers should remind us about accident prevention, drowning prevention, and traffic safety during the summer. I hope this summer will have many beneficial and safe playgrounds so that all children can play, develop healthily, and have meaningful holidays.
Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202606/mua-he-an-toan-cua-tre-e48538f/
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