By Lê Hương

On a bright and sunny afternoon, a throng of children and their guardians converge around the local swimming pool.

In Hưng Giáo Village, nestled within Thanh Oai District on the periphery of the capital Hà Nội, the pool has become a popular spot as temperatures soar.

Despite the formal start time of 5pm, the lure of the waters prompts these ardent swimmers to assemble nearly sixty minutes early. The air thrums with anticipation as they count down the minutes, their eyes on the water's cool surface.

The moment a member of the pool's management board makes the awaited declaration, an electrifying wave of exhilaration sweeps across the crowd, leading to an enthusiastic dive into the refreshing water.

For several months now, this recently constructed swimming pool has been a favoured rendezvous for both children and parents, becoming a delightful staple in the local community's social calendar.

Making a splash, throwing water onto one another, and learning how to swim, are what these children can do now.

The refreshing water offers a sublime respite from the oppressive summer heat, infusing these young souls with boundless euphoria.

“I come here today with my brother,” Nguyễn Trọng Tấn, a 5th-grade pupil, told Việt Nam News. “We feel so happy here. We have been here many times. I think each village should build a pool like this so that children can play and learn how to swim.”

Trương Bảo Châu, a 4th-grade pupil, cannot hide her joy playing in the water: “This is the third time I have been here. I’m very happy here. I like to play here rather than at home. I want to play here many more times this summer.”

Nguyễn Thị Huyền, a respected village elder, reveals that their locale has never before seen a swimming pool of this nature.

“Now local authorities decided to build one to replace a polluted pond, we are all happy,” she says. “From now on, our children and grandchildren can learn how to swim here.”

Huyền says all residents supported this idea. They contributed money to build and manage the pool.

Lê Năng Công, who initiated the construction, says: “My generation benefitted from the natural ponds that my father's generation left behind. But now, urbanisation has spread out too quickly, there are no more ponds, and the water is polluted. Today’s children cannot swim anywhere, or they have to go to commercial pools, which are expensive and not all people can afford it.”

A volunteer working at the swimming pool. VNS Photo Nguyễn Hải

Công says he has thought about it for the past few years. He talked to the elders and they decided to do something.

“We built a swimming pool as compensation to our offspring. We were lucky to be supported by all villagers. And we succeeded.”

Công says the community appointed a volunteer team to manage the pool.

“Locals still contribute more money to filter the water every day,” he says. “There will be some swimming classes for children and sports events at the pool as well.

“We are also implementing other activities for children like setting up a library and some other things to lure the children from electronic games. If we offer them a swimming pool, a library, and some other things, the children will be happy. They will enjoy a different kind of childhood.

Children enjoy the pool. VNS Photo Nguyễn Hải

“They are our children. We are just simply paying back to them. Nothing too big,” he says.

Ngô Phương Thảo, a parent residing some 4 kilometres away, also takes her son here to swim.

“I often take my son to Phú Bình Swimming Pool in Thường Tín District,” she says. “I learned about this free swimming pool, so I came here to try it. This pool is not yet complete, but there are many children and adults visiting here.”

“The atmosphere is bustling, the pool is so big. I hope for a better-completed pool so that children can have a place to play rather than playing virtual games and other games that harm their health. My son is so excited here. He is not able to swim yet. If there is a swimming class here, I’ll register for him,” she says.

Bùi Xuân Quân, a villager who volunteers to keep an eye on the children every afternoon, says: "This pool aims to help children improve their health, prevent drowning and lure them away from the TV and electronic games. Looking after the children is quite hard, and requires close attention. But that is a joy to a volunteer like me.”

“I am doing this for my children and grandchildren, for their future,” he says.

Đào Tuấn Tùng, who has just opened a free swimming class for children there, says he is moved to see adults caring for children in the village.

Teacher Đào Tuấn Tùng and his students. VNS Photo Đào Tuấn Tùng

​"They provide a room for me to stay here and food every day," he says.

Yet Tùng says local children are a little more reserved than children in the city.

"I have to apply various teaching methods to make them more open and cooperate with me in the lessons."

Tùng says besides the class for children, he wants to open classes for adults and the rescue team in the pool so that they know basic first-aid skills for managing the pool.

With the community’s support, children in Hưng Giáo Village will have a cool and fun summer with this new healthy playground. VNS

Additional reporting by Nhật Hồng