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In Vietnam, the first day of school is a nationwide festival

In Vietnam, the first day of school is a nationwide festival

Monday, September 05, 2016, 15:02 GMT+7

Over 20 million students across Vietnam attended a national back-to-school festival on Monday morning as schools in the country upheld a decades-old tradition of commencing the academic year on the fifth day of September.

Though the actual first day of school in Vietnam varies from one place to another, September 5 has consistently been selected as the date when most schools in the country hold their opening ceremony.

The practice takes its roots from a historic event more than 70 years ago on September 5, 1945, when President Ho Chi Minh of the three-day-old Democratic Republic of Vietnam sent a letter to the country’s students in celebration of independent Vietnam’s first school year.

This year, the countrywide back-to-school festival fell on Monday, as over 20 million students and around 1.4 million teachers from kindergartens to high schools across the country attended colorful ceremonies livened up by artistic performances.

As part of the tradition, senior government officials, including State President Tran Dai Quang and Chairwoman of Vietnam’s lawmaking National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, took part in the opening ceremonies of schools this morning.

During the ceremonies, school officials read the State President’s address aloud to students before distinguished delegates were invited to deliver a brief speech and beat the drum three times marking the commencement of the academic year.

The ceremonies are often followed by festivities where students and teachers enjoy traditional games and art performances.

Trên 20 triệu học sinh bước vào năm học mới

Vietnamese State President Tran Dai Quang beats the drum at Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted on September 5, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Trên 20 triệu học sinh bước vào năm học mới

Ho Chi Minh City Party Chief Dinh La Thang talks with a student at Luong The Vinh High School in the city on September 5, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Trên 20 triệu học sinh bước vào năm học mới

Ho Chi Minh City Party Chief Dinh La Thang checks out traditional Vietnamese toys handcrafted by students at Luong The Vinh High School in the city on September 5, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Trên 20 triệu học sinh bước vào năm học mới

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong (R, 2nd) presents teachers at the city’s Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted with a trophy flag on September 5, 2016 for the school’s outstanding performance in the previous academic year. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Improving the quality of education, with a particular focus on morals, is one of the emphases of this academic year set out by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training (MoET).

Many changes are expected to take effect this school year, including the implementation of a revised version of the controversial Circular 30, which requires grade school teachers to give students comments on their performances instead of scores, as well as further adjustments to the country’s constantly shifting national high school examination and university admission process.

The country’s MoET is also looking to improve the teaching and learning of foreign languages, especially English, at all levels, while promoting the application of information technology in the classroom.

More in-depth vocational guidance is also a priority for schools in Vietnam, a country where 20 percent of the unemployed population are holders of bachelor’s or master’s degrees.

The academic year 2016-2017 is a critical period for Vietnam’s path to a fundamental and comprehensive reform of its education system, set to be in place by 2018-2019.

Trên 20 triệu học sinh bước vào năm học mới

Students at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted in Ho Chi Minh City during the academic year opening ceremony on September 5, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Trên 20 triệu học sinh bước vào năm học mới

Students at Trung Vuong High School in Ho Chi Minh City during the academic year opening ceremony on September 5, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Trên 20 triệu học sinh bước vào năm học mới

Students at Le Anh Xuan Middle School in Ho Chi Minh City during the academic year opening ceremony on September 5, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Trên 20 triệu học sinh bước vào năm học mới

Outstanding alumni of Gia Dinh High School in Ho Chi Minh City are honored during the academic year opening ceremony on September 5, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Trên 20 triệu học sinh bước vào năm học mới

Students at Gia Dinh High School in Ho Chi Minh City during the academic year opening ceremony on September 5, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Trên 20 triệu học sinh bước vào năm học mới

Students at Trung Vuong Elementary School in Phu Yen Province during the academic year opening ceremony on September 5, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Trên 20 triệu học sinh bước vào năm học mới

Students at Luong The Vinh Elementary School in Ho Chi Minh City during the academic year opening ceremony on September 5, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Trên 20 triệu học sinh bước vào năm học mới

Students at Nguyen Binh Khiem Elementary School in Ho Chi Minh City during the academic year opening ceremony on September 5, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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