Many meanings derived from the "Ringing the Golden Bell" competition.

Mr. Be Dang Khoa (on the left), Provincial Party Committee member, Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions of Cao Bang province.

Presenting gifts at the "Ringing the Golden Bell" competition.

The bell rings, child marriage decreases.

On the afternoon of October 13, 2025, the courtyard of Bao Lac Town Secondary School in Bao Lac Commune was filled with laughter and applause as the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religion of Cao Bang Province, in coordination with the school, organized the "Golden Bell Challenge" competition to raise awareness about reducing child marriage and consanguineous marriage.

The "Ringing the Golden Bell" competition was held at Bao Lac Town Secondary School.

Mr. Be Dang Khoa, Provincial Party Committee member and Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions of Cao Bang province, directly attended and delivered the opening speech, emphasizing: “Child marriage is not only a barrier to the development of each individual, but also affects the future of the entire community. Each student today is a young communicator, bringing knowledge and understanding of the law and gender equality to every family and village.”

Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions of Cao Bang province, Be Dang Khoa, presented the first prize to Hoang Hanh Trang.

On the school grounds, 384 students, holding answer sheets labeled A, B, C, and D, focused intently on answering each question. The questions revolved around knowledge of child marriage, consanguineous marriage, and the social consequences of these practices.

Hoang Hanh Trang rang the golden bell at the competition.

After answering 21 questions, Hoang Hanh Trang, a student from class 9A2, successfully rang the golden bell, winning first prize. Trang shared: “Through the competition, I gained a better understanding of the harmful effects of child marriage and consanguineous marriage, and learned how to educate my family and friends to prevent them.”

A lively atmosphere also spread at Yen Son Ethnic Boarding Primary and Secondary School in Thanh Long commune (Cao Bang province) on the afternoon of October 14, 2025. 95 students enthusiastically participated in the competition.

Leaders of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religion of Cao Bang province, Yen Son Ethnic Boarding Primary and Secondary School.

First prize was awarded to Vi Thi Minh.

Seventh-grade student Vi Thi Minh, after successfully answering 15 questions, won first prize and emotionally said: “The competition is a valuable platform. Child marriage and consanguineous marriage prevent many young people from succeeding in life. I will share what I have learned with everyone around me.”

One competition, many meanings.

Currently, the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religion of Cao Bang province is coordinating with 15 ethnic boarding schools, semi-boarding schools, and junior high schools in the area to organize a series of "Golden Bell" competitions with the theme of promoting the reduction of child marriage and consanguineous marriage. Students from grades 6 to 9 participate by answering questions by raising answer boards.

Cultural performances at the "Ringing the Golden Bell" competition.

Ms. Nong Thi Toan, Principal of Yen Son Semi-Boarding Primary and Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities, said: “Through this competition, students not only gain a better understanding of the law, but also develop a sense of responsibility for learning, career development, avoiding outdated customs, and contributing to economic development and poverty reduction in the locality.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Van Huy, Principal of Bao Lac Town Secondary School, shared: “Students are the most effective force for disseminating information. When they understand, they will tell their parents and friends, and from there spread the message about building a civilized family.”

Contributing to sustainable poverty reduction.

The "Ringing the Golden Bell" competition is part of Sub-project 2 "Reducing child marriage and consanguineous marriage among ethnic minorities facing many difficulties" under Project 9 of the National Target Program for socio-economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas giai đoạn 2021–2030, implemented by the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions of Cao Bang province.

From 2021 to the end of July 2025, Cao Bang province organized 111 propaganda competitions in schools and communes with over 18,400 participants; 44 training conferences for over 3,000 delegates; and 309 propaganda conferences with over 21,000 participants. In addition, the Department also organized study tours and integrated propaganda into hundreds of village and hamlet meetings, contributing to spreading awareness down to the grassroots level.

The theatrical form of propaganda helps students easily understand the message and change their perceptions.

Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions of Cao Bang province, Be Dang Khoa, affirmed: “Legal education and awareness campaigns are the foundation of sustainable poverty reduction. When awareness changes, behavior will change. Reducing child marriage and eliminating consanguineous marriage not only protects the health and rights of women and children, but also opens up opportunities for ethnic minorities to improve their lives, contributing to the comprehensive development goals of ethnic minority and mountainous regions.”

Mr. Be Dang Khoa also stated that in the coming time, the Department will continue to strengthen and innovate the forms of propaganda. "We hope that each bell that rings in the competition will not only be a bell of knowledge, but also a wake-up call for the community to say no to child marriage, and to strive towards a prosperous and equal future," Mr. Khoa emphasized.

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