Multiplying happy spaces for children

Summer has arrived, and International Children's Day on June 1st is fast approaching – this is a special time, once again reminding society and every family to pay more attention to and care for children. The decisive directives from the central government, the proactive efforts of Hanoi, and the collective contributions of the people are creating more and more "soft shields," multiplying the happy environment where children can grow up in love, respect, and achieve holistic development.

Creating healthy spaces for children to play and learn ensures their protection and holistic development. Photo: Quang Thai

Create "soft shields"

Children – the future generation of our nation – have always received special attention from the Party and the State through a series of specific policies, programs, and action initiatives. Vietnam was the first country in Asia and the second in the world to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Along with the promulgation of the Law on Children, not only on Children's Day or the Month of Action for Children, but throughout the year, Vietnamese children are cared for in various ways, so that every day is a "Children's Day" for them.

Through diverse educational , cultural, artistic, sports, and life skills activities, children have more opportunities to learn, experience, and develop harmoniously both physically and mentally. Many educational models such as "Mock Trials" and "Mock Children's Parliaments" help children improve their understanding of the law, self-protection skills, and confidently express their opinions on issues related to children. The "Good Children of Uncle Ho" Congress and the 15-5 Award continue to spread exemplary examples of outstanding young members in their studies and training.

In addition, there are numerous enriching activities such as the Reading Culture Ambassador Contest, the Cricket Children's Award, the World Children's Day, the Phu Dong Sports Festival, the Vietnamese Language Champion Contest, the Vietnam Kids' Voice Contest, STEM festivals, robotics events, and children's art festivals… Through each activity, children are enriched with knowledge, nurtured in spirit, and develop talents and life skills in a healthy, humane environment.

However, the reality is that in modern society, children face more complex risks than before, such as abuse, psychological violence, and psychological crises. Recently, a series of tragic incidents have occurred, shocking the public. A 4-year-old girl in Hanoi died after a long period of abuse; a 2-year-old boy in Ho Chi Minh City was hospitalized with multiple injuries due to beatings; and a 7-year-old boy in Phu Tho suffered serious physical injuries from being abused by his biological father…

What deeply saddens society is not only the cruelty of the acts, but also the fact that the perpetrators are the very people who should be loving and protecting these children the most. The abusers will be severely punished by law. But behind those sentences are traumatized childhoods, lasting trauma not only for the victims but also for the entire community. Each incident is like a wound to society's conscience, raising the agonizing question: Why are children still not truly safe, even in their own homes?

Following a series of incidents that outraged public opinion, the Ministry of Health requested the People's Committees of provinces and cities to strictly handle agencies, organizations, and individuals who conceal, fail to report, or are irresponsible in handling acts of violence and abuse against children. The Vietnam Women's Union issued Guideline No. 52 on coordinating with five cities nationwide to pilot the construction of "Safe Houses for Women and Children".

During a meeting with Children's Hospital 1 regarding the case of a 2-year-old boy who was severely abused, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc emphasized: "Don't wait until children are abused before we intervene. That's not a fundamental solution." According to him, it's necessary to build a mechanism for early risk identification, promote the role of the community, and establish an intervention system that is fast enough and close enough to children. In particular, the national child protection hotline 111 needs to truly become a "lifeline" reaching every residential area and family at high risk.

Building and ensuring safe zones for children, creating a soft shield so that every child can grow up in love and respect, and have the conditions for holistic development, remains an urgent requirement.

Let every day be "Children's Day"

Concerned about and dedicated to the healthy development of the country's future generation, placing children in the protective embrace of the political system, family, and society, many important documents have been issued, such as: the Conclusion of General Secretary To Lam on the work of caring for and protecting children in special circumstances according to Notice No. 432-TB/VPTW dated November 26, 2025, of the Central Party Office; and Telegram No. 40/CĐ-TTg dated May 19, 2026, on strengthening the work of preventing and combating drowning among children...

This spirit is being clearly implemented in Hanoi's current child protection efforts. At the beginning of 2026, Hanoi issued Plan No. 36/KH-UBND on child protection work with the goal of building a safe, healthy, and friendly living environment for children's comprehensive development in terms of physical, intellectual, emotional, and personal growth.

The city also issued Decision No. 1702/QD-UBND dated April 9, 2026, establishing the Steering Committee for the prevention and control of crimes against children and the prevention and control of crimes and violations of the law related to persons under 18 years of age for the period 2026-2030, with the participation of many forces such as the police, education, health, justice, local authorities, and mass organizations. On May 18, 2026, the Hanoi People's Committee further issued Official Letter No. 2133/UBND-KGVX on strengthening the work of protecting children and preventing and combating violence and abuse against children.

This spirit was concretized by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports in Official Letter No. 2944/SVHTT-QLVH dated May 20, 2026, which requires that child protection be identified as a regular task for the entire sector. Alongside awareness campaigns, the review of areas and early detection of risks of violence and abuse against children in families, schools, training institutions, and residential communities are required to be carried out regularly and proactively.

Hanoi requires flexible implementation tailored to different target groups and geographical areas through its grassroots information system. Another noteworthy point is the intensified communication on digital platforms to enhance children's online protection skills. With children increasingly exposed to the internet and social media at an early age, the risk of harm no longer stems solely from real life but also emerges in the digital space in more sophisticated forms such as online bullying, harmful content, and cyber abuse. Hanoi's focus on equipping children and parents with digital skills demonstrates a proactive approach to the changes of modern life.

In particular, alongside management solutions, Hanoi is striving to create "soft shields" for children through the cultural environment by developing safe reading spaces and organizing self-protection skills clubs at libraries and cultural centers.

Protecting, caring for, and providing a comprehensive environment for children's healthy development requires not only preventing risks through the creation of "soft shields" but also helping them find more support systems and spaces for happiness. Only then will every day be Children's Day for children.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nhan-len-khong-gian-hanh-phuc-cho-tre-976225.html