Students at the National Economics University on Monday attend an in-person class, after months of online learning. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tùng

HÀ NỘI — Universities and vocational schools in Hà Nội and HCM City reopened for in-person learning on Monday, after more than nine months of online learning due to COVID-19.

Inspecting the reopening of Hà Nội's National Economics University, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoàng Minh Sơn said that in-person learning was very important, as it helps students not only better absorb knowledge, but also meet lecturers and friends to improve personal skills and community attitudes.

Sơn said that both students and lecturers would implement disease prevention and control measures to ensure a safe reopening.

“We should not be confused and afraid, but also not be negligent to COVID-19. The university needs to fully organise study and research activities to ensure the legitimate interests of students while trying to organise safe face-to-face teaching at the highest level," Sơn said.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Hoàng Văn Cường, vice-rector of National Economics University, said that to ensure disease prevention and control, the school implemented different measures, fully prepared facilities, properly arranged teaching areas, students’ dorms and isolation areas, as well as ensuring safe distance among students.

Students must wear facial masks and disinfect their hands when going to National Economics University. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tùng

In Hà Nội, in addition to medical and military schools which remained open during the pandemic, 15 more universities reopened in-person classes on Monday.

Diplomatic Academy of Việt Nam asked students to strictly follow COVID-19 prevention and control measures, as recommended by the health authority and the school’s health department.

The academy’s Youth Union launched a travel guide for students, particularly first-years, who have rarely been there before, to better identify locations/departments within the campus.

From February 6 to 21, other universities in Hà Nội will receive students in-person, including the University of Foreign Trade, Thuongmai University, University of Natural Resources and Environment, Academy of Banking, Academy of Journalism and Communication, Information Technology and University of Economics – Vietnam National University, Hà Nội.

On Monday morning, universities like the University of Transport, National Economics University or Hà Nội Open University welcomed mainly first-year students, to get acquainted with the school after learning online during their first term. The universities planned to let second, third and fourth-year students back to study next week.

Students have their body temperature checked, before entering the Hà Nội College for Electro - Mechanics on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoàng Hiếu

Students undertaking a physical education lesson on the first day back to school at the Hà Nội College for Electro - Mechanic. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoàng Hiếu

Before that, many universities, vocational schools and education institutes have surveyed the students’ vaccination and planned to give additional injections to students before studying. The school also prepared staff and facilities, including isolation rooms, in case students or lecturers test positive.

By the end of this month, most of the remaining schools in the city will resume direct teaching and learning.

After being used as a quarantine area for more than two years, Hà Nội High-Tech Vocational College (HHT) resumed its normal operation on Monday, receiving nearly 3,000 students for face-to-face learning.

Lê Trần Trung Kiên, a first-year student of the college, said that Monday was his first day at the school as he had to learn online during the first semester.

“I study in the automobile department, so seeing subjects and related equipment, I feel that learning becomes a lot more interesting," he said.

Trần Xuân Quỳnh, a lecturer in HHT’s Automotive Department, said that for vocational schools, online learning was extremely difficult.

“Now, as students physically go to school, teachers and students are very happy. Students will master lessons much better when they are directly guided by the teacher," he said.

In HCM City, about 30 universities have reopened including HCM City University of Industry, University of Finance and Marketing, University of Transportation and Sài Gòn Technology University. Depending on their conditions, the universities have been arranging online classes and in-person ones for their students.

To be eligible to return to school, students must receive at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, or have recovered from COVID-19. Before attending in-person classes, students are required to declare their health status and strictly follow 5K messages on disease preventive measures.

A report by the Ministry of Education and Training showed that all of the universities and colleges had originally planned to reopen in February. However, some schools will resume in-person classes in March, such as the University of Science and Technology,  Hồ Chí Minh City Banking University and Đại Nam University. — VNS