An outdoor summer activity for children in Phổng Lăng Commune, Sơn La Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Hữu Quyết

SƠN LA — Localities in the mountainous province of Sơn La have created healthy and safe playgrounds for children in the summer.

Children living in the mountainous areas are constantly at danger of accidents, injuries and social evils, especially during the summer when youngsters do not attend school and have a lot of spare time. Unlike children in metropolitan areas who have numerous options for relaxation, most youngsters in Phổng Lăng Commune, Thuận Châu District, Sơn La Province still spend their summer playing in mountains, rivers and streams.

The Phổng Lăng Youth Union has organised summer events taking place at weekends.

Many children show their excitement towards summer games.

Quàng Thị Tuyết Nhi, a child in this area, said that not only can she dance, sing, play games with her friends, but she has been instructed on how to protect herself such as not opening the door to strangers when alone at home and not swimming in ponds, lakes, or streams without adults present.

“I will tell my friends to follow these advices,” she said.

Along with entertaining events, the Youth Union at all levels also conducted free swimming lessons with instruction on how to avoid drowning incidents.

They want children to know how to swim, as well as acquire skills like first aid and how to prevent drowning scenarios.

Thào A Sinh, Deputy Secretary of Thuận Châu District Youth Union and chairman of Thuận Châu District Council of Hồ Chí Minh Young Pioneers’ Organisation (HYPO), stated that there are still many difficulties in remote areas where children's leisure options in the summer are limited. The District Council of HYPO has ordered the communal and town councils of HYPO to plan appropriate summer activities based on the real conditions of the community.

A large number of family members in Sơn La Province's highlands and rural locations must work far away to make a living. Many parents are concerned about lacking time and resources to care for and manage their children throughout the summer.

Lường Thị Hiêm, a parent in Phổng Lăng Commune, said there is no playground for children in the area, which is a disadvantage. Every parent is concerned about their children venturing out on their own and engaging in risky activities.

When the Youth Union arranges various events for children to participate in and make friends, families are extremely happy and comforted, she said.

Over the last five years, local youth unions have called for resources to construct about 290 playgrounds for children.

The provincial council of HYPO has launched more than 800 free swimming sessions for children and provided practical experience programmes on safety skills on how to prevent accidents and injuries for over 3,600 youngsters.

In the summer of 2023, Sơn La Province has around 247,000 children and adolescents taking part in summer activities themed “Together to minimise harm to children”.

Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union and Chairman of the Sơn La Provincial Council of HYPO, said one of key goals of the annual Youth Volunteer Summer Campaign is children having fun and safe summer.

"We have built, repaired or upgraded children playgrounds as well as educated them about the nation's history and tradition of heroic revolutionary struggle, pride in the homeland. The children are also equipped with safety skills, self-protection and escape skills in case of emergency situations, in the prevention of accidents and injuries and cyber security skills," he said.

Youth volunteers have also supported the children to review academic lessons, helping families take care of children during summer vacation, he said. —VNS