Highland Children in Vietnam Live Independently for Education

Photo courtesy of VN Express

In Lam Dong Province's Lieng Hung valley, over 30 ethnic Hmong children, including 13-year-old Giang Thi Nu, live away from their families in makeshift housing to attend school. The children, from Sub-district 181, are forced to rent basic rooms near the commune center, as their home village lacks essential infrastructure, including schools. The situation highlights the educational challenges faced by ethnic communities in remote areas.

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The families in Sub-district 181, living 15 kilometers from the nearest school, must send their children away from home as early as kindergarten age. Nu, responsible for her four younger siblings, manages a household on a tight budget and lacks basic amenities. The area suffers from inadequate facilities, with no electricity, phone signal, or nearby schooling options, compelling more than 200 students to lodge near the commune.

Parents like Ma Thi Chu and Giang Xia Mua express concerns over their children's safety and well-being but emphasize the necessity of education. To cope, they provide food supplies and encourage gardening to ensure sustainability. With annual family incomes ranging from VND60-70 million, the financial strain further complicates their efforts to secure a proper education for their children.

Looking ahead, local authorities, including Truong Van Sang of Dam Rong 2 Commune People’s Committee, recognize the urgent need for infrastructure improvements. Plans to invest in roads and schools in Sub-district 181 are set for 2026-30. Meanwhile, school officials and teachers at Lieng Sronh Primary School strive to support students who live independently, highlighting the pressing need for proper boarding facilities, reported VN Express.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · VN Express · 10 Mar 2026