Learning to swim helps children protect themselves
Summer increases the risk of child drowning in Vinh Long. Faced with this situation, the Department of Health is implementing a plan to prevent and combat child accidents and injuries in 2026, opening free swimming classes in 124 communes and wards, combined with equipping survival skills and drowning prevention.
In An Binh commune, the locality opened 4 free swimming classes, including 3 classes at the swimming pool and 1 class organized right on the river, attracting more than 120 students to participate this summer.
Mr. Dang Ngoc Phuc - Culture - Society Specialist of An Binh commune - said that the class on the river is organized according to the tide, so there are more difficulties, but it helps children get acquainted with the real environment, suitable for the characteristics of the riverine area.
According to Mr. Phuc, after about 15 days of studying, most students have learned basic swimming, know how to float, stay calm when falling into the water and grasp the necessary skills to limit risks when contacting rivers and canals.
In Hoa Binh commune, free swimming classes continue to be maintained with socialized funding. In addition to swimming technique guidance, the program also integrates drowning prevention skills, helping children improve their self-protection ability when exposed to river and canal environments.
Mr. Dinh Van Giau - Secretary of Hoa Binh Commune Youth Union - said that the locality will continue to mobilize resources to maintain classes and expand life skills activities. Children are guided to identify dangers, call for help correctly, use lifebuoys, poles, ropes to support victims, and absolutely do not jump down to rescue people on their own.
Learning to swim is associated with survival and safe drowning skills
The effectiveness of free swimming classes helps many parents feel secure for their children to participate in the summer. Not only training health, the program also equips survival skills, contributing to reducing the risk of drowning in children.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hon, residing in An Binh commune, said that she had registered her child to learn to swim for two consecutive years. She recounted that her child once slipped and fell into the river, but thanks to knowing how to swim, she stayed calm, floated on the water and was rescued by adults in time.
Ms. Tieu Thi Minh Tam, residing in Hoa Binh commune, said that her family has two young children, so she is always worried when her children play near rivers and canals. Therefore, she registered for both of them to participate in free swimming classes to practice survival skills and self-protection.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Ms. Lam Nhu Quynh - Deputy Director of Vinh Long Provincial Department of Health said that in the first six months of 2026, the whole province recorded 38 drowning cases, killing 9 children. Notably, the group of children from 2 to 4 years old accounted for a high proportion of deaths.
According to Ms. Quynh, there are still cases where children already know how to swim but encounter accidents when rushing down to save friends instinctively. Therefore, swimming education needs to go hand in hand with guidance on survival skills, safe drowning rescue and first aid knowledge.
The health sector continues to advise the Provincial People's Committee to strengthen propaganda and warnings in dangerous areas, coordinate with localities to maintain free swimming classes and raise awareness of families and communities in preventing and combating child drowning," Ms. Quynh added.
