The grounds of Thanh Ha Kindergarten are filled with machines and construction workers. On the site of the old school, a new building is taking shape.
Teacher Tran Thi Nguyet, who has been teaching here for many years, said: "The old school is located well below the mountain road in a remote area, making travel very difficult. The facilities are old and badly deteriorated. Once the new school is completed, the children will be able to study in a clean, modern school. Most importantly, we will no longer have to endure the flooding that has affected us for so many years."
Located along the Vietnam–Laos border, Thanh Ha Kindergarten has long been affected by the harsh natural conditions. Twice a year, evacuation from flooding has become a routine for teachers and local residents.
Lo Thi Hoi, a local resident in Kim Bang ward, said: "This is a low-lying area, so during the rainy season it is very difficult for children to get to school. Whenever floods come, the teachers have to move books and equipment to higher ground. But the water often rises so quickly that they often cannot save everything. Most of the items are damaged."
The ground-breaking ceremony on July 10th marked the beginning of a significant project for the local community. Thanh Ha Kindergarten is one of the schools funded by Vietnam's Ministry of National Defense under the 3rd Vietnam–Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program 2026.
Colonel Tran Quang Trung, Political Commissar of the Nghe An provincial Border Guard Command, said: "The project has a total investment of nearly 1.14 million USD. The school will have two two-storey buildings of 13 rooms with all the necessary facilities. There will be classrooms and functional rooms for physical education, art and music."
The Thanh Ha Kindergarten project reflects the Vietnamese Defense Ministry’s attention to improve the living conditions of people in disadvantaged areas. Carried out under the 3rd Vietnam–Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program, the project contributes to strengthening ties between the border guard forces of the two countries, local authorities and residents and building a peaceful, stable and prosperous border region.
Local girl Nguyen Le Huyen Trang said: "I hope we'll have a big school with lots of toys. And the roof won't leak when it rains."
Teacher Pham Thi Huyen of Thanh Ha Kindergarten shared her hope: "All the teachers are very happy that we will soon be teaching in a brand-new school. The children will have nice classrooms and multifunctional rooms where they can enjoy more activities and develop their abilities. We will do our best to care for and educate them so that they will grow up to become responsible citizens who will continue the Vietnam-Laos friendly relationship."
Thanh Ha Kindergarten Principal Tran Thi Tuyet said that the new facilities will help improve the quality of early childhood education: "We are overjoyed and deeply grateful to receive this new school from the Ministry of National Defense. It has been designed with national standard level 2 for schools. The concrete school will also serve as a safe shelter for local people during storms and floods."
Designed to withstand natural disasters, Thanh Ha Kindergarten will be a community space where education, compassion and the enduring bond between the military and local people continue to grow.
