U70, U80 excitedly learn to swim for free in Ho Chi Minh City

U70, U80 hào hứng học bơi miễn phí ở TP.HCM - Ảnh 1. — Ms. Nguyen Kieu Oanh (left) as a coach instructing students on swimming movements at a free swimming course - Photo: NGOC KHAI

At noon on November 20, at the Ho Chi Minh City Aquatic Sports Center, dozens of elderly students performed careful warm-up movements under the guidance of a coach, ready to begin a free swimming lesson.

Many students, from around 50 to nearly 80 years old, said they felt more confident in the pool after a few lessons, thanks to the dedicated guidance of the coaches.

Ms. Dao Bich Huong (78 years old, living in Vinh Hoi ward) shared: "I was very determined to sign up for this swimming course. Today I am taking the 6th session, compared to the first day I have improved a lot."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nghia (72 years old, living in Binh Loi Trung ward) shared that her whole family supported her to learn swimming. "Now I am much more confident, I am practicing according to the movements the teacher instructed," Ms. Nghia said excitedly.

Meanwhile, Ms. Do Thu Ha (63 years old, living in Phu Lam ward) said that after 6 sessions, she was swimming at an above average level. "The teachers' instructions were very easy to understand, everyone in the class supported each other enthusiastically. I am very happy to participate in this free class," Ms. Ha said.

Ms. Mai Phuong Trang (54 years old, living in Xom Chieu ward) shared that after just a few swimming lessons, she became much more confident.

Ms. Nguyen Kieu Oanh - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Aquatic Sports Center - said that the third free swimming course in 2025 has now completed 6/10 sessions. This course has a higher number of older students who have never known how to swim than the previous course.

Although the older students learned more slowly than the younger students and many were swimming for the first time, they still tried their best. After 6 lessons, 4-5 people could swim 15-20m.

According to Ms. Oanh, the classroom atmosphere is always lively and cheerful. The older students not only learn to swim but also socialize and chat, considering swimming as a way to relax.

"For students who are not confident, the trainers will always be close by, correcting each movement," Ms. Oanh shared.