Free swimming classes in Ho Chi Minh City equip children with safety skills, ease parents’ worries

Lots of children are attending free summer swimming classes organized in wards and communes across Ho Chi Minh City.

In late July, Tran Thi Nhan, a resident of Binh Hung Hoa Ward, came to pick up her 11-year-old daughter after the girl finished a free swimming lesson organized by the ward’s summer activity steering committee in coordination with the local Youth Union and several other organizations.

Nhan said her daughter had not known how to swim before joining the class.

After only a few lessons with dedicated instructors, the girl nearly mastered the skill.

“At first, she was afraid to get into the pool. After a few sessions, she became very excited about swimming," Nhan shared.

“The program is extremely useful as it teaches children how to swim and helps them protect themselves."

Free instruction until children can swim

Similarly, Le Thi Chi, also from Binh Hung Hoa Ward, said her child had been attending the swimming class for three weeks.

“Both my child and I are truly happy. I appreciate the instructors for their enthusiasm and dedication,” Chi said.

Meanwhile, 11-year-old Huynh Anh Truc shared that she already knew how to swim before joining the class.

Through the lessons, she has learned additional techniques such as breaststroke and freestyle swimming.

“The lessons are very interesting and enjoyable,” Truc said.

Ho Tam Dinh, a swimming instructor at the class, said children who cannot swim are taught from the basics, while those who already have swimming skills receive further training to improve their techniques.

“Seeing the children practicing happily gives me more motivation to continue teaching,” he said.

Dao Minh Nguyet, a member of the standing committee of the Binh Hung Hoa Ward Youth Union, said the ward’s swimming and drowning prevention class has attracted around 50 children.

The class is aimed at equipping children with essential drowning prevention skills, and will continue until participants meet the minimum requirement of being able to swim.

Community efforts to prevent drowning

Many wards and communes in Ho Chi Minh City, including Tan Tao Ward, Binh Hung Hoa Ward, Binh Tan Ward, Tan Vinh Loc Commune, and Cu Chi Commune, have organized swimming programs during the summer to teach children swimming skills and drowning prevention techniques.

Many parents believe that free summer swimming classes provide meaningful support by helping children learn to swim and become more capable of protecting themselves, and reducing family worries.

Ho Ngoc Hieu, vice-chairwoman of the Tan Vinh Loc Commune People’s Committee and head of the commune’s summer activity steering committee, said that the committee coordinated with a swimming pool service provider to organize a safe swimming and drowning prevention program this summer.

The program has benefited 272 local children, including some from disadvantaged families.

“Such free swimming classes not only help children learn how to swim, but also teach them how to protect themselves, proactively avoid risks, and confidently respond to unexpected situations in life,” Hieu said.

The parent of swimming learner C.H.T., a resident of Tan Vinh Loc Commune, said she was very pleased and reassured that her child could participate in the swimming program organized by the commune’s summer activity steering committee.

“Teaching life skills like these from an early age is essential,” said the parent.

Cu Chi Commune has also been providing children with guidance on drowning prevention skills and swimming lessons this summer, said Cao Thi Hoa Lieu, deputy secretary of the Cu Chi Commune Youth Union and deputy head of the commune’s summer activity steering committee.

After completing the free swimming course, participating children will be able to swim at a basic level.

Through these programs, local authorities hope to raise awareness among families and communities about child drowning prevention.

The initiatives also aim to reduce accidents and provide children with a safe, enjoyable, and meaningful summer.