The Lunar New Year holiday has come to an end, and today marks our first day back at work in the new lunar year. It’s the perfect time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished and set new goals for 2025.
2024 has been an incredible year for Hue Help. We’ve made significant strides in our two main programs: Swimming for Safety (SFS) and Hue Children’s Shelter (HCS). From expanding our impact to creating meaningful experiences for the children we support, this year has been full of progress and achievements.
Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from 2024!
January
HH started the year 2024 with an interesting experience at Sống Platform – a cultural and contemporary art space in Hue. The kids had the opportunity to experience lots of cultural and art activities here such as making paper lanterns and immersing themselves in a magical digital world with eye-catching light effects. They were all very excited as they could learn more about new forms of art.

March
HH attended the 8th celebration of “Vietnam Social Work Day” in 2024 and honored the contributions of social workers in Thua Thien Hue province. The ceremony had the participation of provincial and district-level delegates, along with rewarded groups and individuals. We were much honored to attend the ceremony and receive a golden plaque for our positive contributions to social work activities in Thua Thien Hue province.

April
HH organized a 2-day training course for swimming trainers in Hue. The training session took place safely with the participation of 4 participants. The participants are qualified swimming teachers who were trained by Hue Help many years ago, and this time they received an additional training to become trainers in the future.

Run kids run! Children at HCS had the chance to participate in a Marathon which is annually organized by VnExpress in Hue City. The 5km run as always took them through lots of beautiful heritage sites of Hue city. Despite the hot and humid weather, the kids successfully completed the route and reached the finish line safely.

On April 25, HH was invited by Hue Youth Center to teach a Water Safety Education Session for nearly 100 children aged 10-11 at Hung Vuong Secondary School, Hue. The lesson provided children with water safety rules at home, on the way to school, in swimming pools and at other open water areas. Most importantly, the children were equipped with the proper way to wear life jackets and safe land-based rescues.

From April 22 to 27, under the sponsorship of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) – The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), Hue Help worked with Department of Culture and Sports of Thua Thien Hue Province to organize a 6-day swimming teachers’ training course at the Provincial Sports Center. We trained 25 swimming teachers from Hue city, Huong Tra, Quang Dien and Phong Dien districts. After the course, 100% of teachers are certified and qualified to become swimming teachers.

May
On May 10th, HH organized a water safety education session for 125 students in grades 4, 5 at Quang An 1 School, Quang Dien district. Children in the district get exposed to the water environment every day but do not have access to water safety skills and knowledge. The educational session is like a “life ring” for the children.

On May 16, under the sponsorship of The United Nations International School (UNIS), HH organized a water safety education session for 300 students in grades 4, 5 at Thuan Thanh Primary School, Hue. The session has expanded their knowledge, raised their awareness and it was also a new and interesting experience for children.

On May 21, under the sponsorship of the Sustainable Development Fund of Laguna Lang Co, Hue Help and Loc Vinh Secondary School organized an extracurricular session ‘Child Drowning Prevention’ for grade 4, 5 students at Binh An Primary School and grade 6-8 students at Loc Vinh Secondary School, Phu Loc, Thua Thien Hue. Most children here live by the sea and get exposed to open water every day, especially in the summer. Therefore, the session is very important for them, helping to raise their awareness of rescue skills and drowning prevention in the area.

On May 27-28, under the sponsorship of CTFK/GHAI, HH cooperated with Thua Thien Hue Department of Education and Training (DOET) to organize safe swimming classes for 810 children this summer. All elementary schools in the project started their swimming courses. In the first lesson, the children were very excited because they had the chance to get acquainted with water and play in the water safely.

June
On the first day of June, we celebrated the Children’s Day by providing a Water Safety Education Session for 25 underprivileged children in Hue. Primary school students not only need to have swimming skills but also need to be equipped with water safety skills to protect themselves.

From June 3 to 7, under the sponsorship of the Sustainable Development Fund of Laguna Lang Co, HH successfully and safely organized a 5-day swimming teacher training course at Laguna Lang Co for 6 teachers from Binh An and Loc Vinh schools. 100% of teachers passed the final test – they are now qualified to organize safe swimming classes for children. On June 11th, the first swimming lesson sponsored by Laguna Lang Co started at Binh An beach with the excitement of all children.

On June 13, HH had a working session with GHAI, University of Public Health and Thua Thien Hue DOLISA. During the meeting, we shared the advantages and difficulties during the project implementation. GHAI shared experiences as well as assigned Hue Help and the University of Public Health to actively coordinate to support the DOLISA in the early stages of project implementation. In the afternoon, the delegation had a working session at the HH office, updating the project implementation status in Thua Thien Hue, planning the project program for 2025, and answering difficulties HH encountered during project implementation. On the same afternoon, the group visited the swimming class at Dien Loc primary school, Phong Dien district, Hue city

July
On July 1, our swimming classes at Binh An beach, Phu Loc district completed successfully. Under the sponsorship of Laguna Lăng Cô Sustainability, nearly 180 students had the chance to learn swimming, survival skills and land-based rescue skills. Through the final assessment test, more than 80% of children could swim 25m and 100% of children could float on their back for 30 seconds.

On July 2-3, HH and HCS had a 2-day-1-night summer trip in Hoi An, Quang Nam. The children experienced VinWonders Nam Hoi An amusement area with many activities such as enjoying music performances on the river, watching musical fountains, visiting the zoo and playing at the swimming pool and water park. The children also got the chance to visit the Bay Mau Nipa Palm Site in Hoi An to travel by basket boats and watch basket boat artists performing. Outdoor trips like this not only help children relax and recharge their energy, but also help them learn about many things around, immerse themselves in nature and connect with other people.

In mid-July, under the sponsorship of CTFK/GHAI, HH successfully organized a survival swimming course for 210 primary school students in Phong Dien district. 8 swimming teachers taught the children basic swimming skills, rescue skills, survival skills and water safety knowledge through 16 lessons. After the swimming course, 187 out of 210 students passed the final test, meaning nearly 90% of students could perform all skills in the test.

On July 20th, HH attended one of the biggest drowning prevent events in the year in Nghe An, ‘Family Day – World Drowning Prevention Day’. Within the framework of the program, delegates performed the assembly ceremony and completed the large painting “Prevention and prevention of child drowning”; visited the area displaying works of art made by students with the theme of drowning prevention and drowning prevention experience activities. These activities are not only entertaining but also raise awareness and provide practical water safety skills for the whole family.

On July 26-27th, HH trainer taught in the training on knowledge, skills and safe rescue methods to prevent child drowning organized and sponsored by CTFK/GHAI. Nearly 55 participants who are PE teachers and key officials from Nghe An, Quang Binh and Thua Thien Hue participated in this course. They were trained in teaching children about water safety skills, practicing basic first aid for drowning victims, CPR and land-based rescue skills.

On July 28, 2024, Thua Thien Hue DOLISA in collaboration with CTFK/GHAI and HH, organized a ceremony to celebrate the World Drowning Prevention Day at Hue Youth Center. The ceremony aims to propagate and mobilize children to be aware of protecting themselves in the water environment, equipping them with safety skills in the water and promoting the roles and responsibilities of all levels, sectors, families, schools and the whole society in drowning prevention. During the ceremony, all levels, sectors and local authorities jointly committed to implementing the future plan. HH participated in demonstrating land-based rescue skills and got students to practice at the swimming pool. In addition, the children could also participate in a contest of knowledge and skills about drowning prevention.

August
On August 2nd, under the sponsorship of CTFK/GHAI, HH coordinated with Thua Thien Hue DOET to organize a closing ceremony to summarize and evaluate the program to prevent child drowning in the province. There were representatives of local departments, school principals and swimming teachers in the project attending the workshop. The workshop was successful with impressive project results. We trained 25 swimming teachers and 810 primary school students from Phong Dien, Quang Dien, Huong Tra districts and Hue city. Of which, 778 students can swim 25m and float on their back for 90 seconds.

On August 17th, HH organized another swimming course for 60 more students at Dien Loc Primary School, Phong Dien district, Thua Thien Hue province. Thanks to the support of CTFK, this summer, Phong Dien district had a total of over 270 students have access to survival swimming, rescue skills, survival skills and water safety knowledge.

September
Saying goodbye to summer with a day trip to an ecological village – Eco Village in Phu Vang district, Thua Thien Hue province. Eco village is famous for eco-tourism, environmental responsibility and organic farming. The children experienced swimming in saltwater, visiting an organic shrimp pond and relaxing in an ecological space with a lot of trees. Particularly, the children could prepare their own food and cooked together.

On September 6th, which was also the first day of the new school year, HH coordinated with Kim Long 1 Primary School, Hue to organize a ‘Water Safety Education’ session for 400 students. The session was sponsored by UNIS.

Mid-Autumn Festival is the time when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. The full and bright moonlight symbolizes family reunion. Therefore, HH and HCS celebrated a warm celebration together. On September 16th, we gave lots of small gifts to all the children at the shelter. Particularly, we also gave a gift to congratulate Bao, our smart and caring boy, on his effort to become a freshman at Hue University of Tourism.

On September 28th, HH coordinated with Thuy Bang Secondary School in Thua Thien Hue to organize a Water Safety Education Session for 60 students. The session was classroom-based, including both theoretical and practical content with supporting equipment – this form is very suitable for schools, to educate children about safety skills in the water environment.

On September 29th, HH coordinated with the Institute for Community Development Studies (ACDC) to organize a session introducing water safety skills and basic first aid to more than 20 members of the Disabled Women Club in Hue. In addition to the safety rules in many different situations, the participants were also instructed on how to safely rescue drowning people on land and how to perform CPR for drowning adults and children.

October
On October 28th, the Department of Health Environmental Management, Ministry of Health in collaboration with the University of Public Health organized the 4th National Scientific Conference on injury prevention and control with the theme: “Reducing the burden of injury: The effectiveness of sustainable policies and interventions”. Some recommendations to maintain the sustainability of Vietnam’s child drowning prevention program were shared during the conference.

November
On November 26th, HH attended a working session with a delegation of 4 ambassadors from New Zealand, Canada, Norway and Switzerland. The session was hosted by Mr. Tran Cong Phu, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Representatives from various departments, divisions and other organisations attended the meeting. The meeting addressed the care and protection of children and adolescents in Thua Thien Hue province, as well as the need for future support.

On November 28th, the conference on meeting with foreign NGOs in Thua Thien Hue Province, aimed to enhance collaboration between the province and international NGOs. Organized by the People’s Committee of Thua Thien Hue, the event reviewed INGO operations, discussed 2024 aid activities, and outlined future directions. Hue Help had the honor of presenting our 2024 achievements, highlighting: key activities and project results, cooperation with local partners, and challenges faced and recommendations for improvement.

December
Say hello to December with some fun at HCS. The kids had a warm party in the shelter with birthday wishes and presents. Happy Birthday to our beloved Nga and Ninh!

On December 25, under the sponsorship of CTFK/GHAI, HH together with a delegation from Thua Thien Hue province, participated in an Experience Sharing Session on Child Drowning Prevention hosted by the DOLISA of Dong Thap province. Representing the delegation from Thua Thien Hue province was Mrs. Phan Minh Nguyet, Deputy Director of DOLISA. Additionally, there was one representative from the Thua Thien Hue DOET, one from the Education & Training Office of Phong Dien District, and one representative from HH. The session facilitated the exchange of successful models between localities involved in the project. Moreover, the delegation had the opportunity to observe and learn from practical community-based swimming training models. Hue Help was honored to present a session on “Experiences in Organizing Swimming Lessons and Water Safety Skills in Thua Thien Hue Province.”

To end 2024, HH and HCS had a joyful year-end celebration together. The kids enjoyed a visit to Aeon Mall, shared a delicious year-end meal together, and participated in fun and exciting games. Hue Help hopes that in 2025, the children will have even more opportunities to engage in recreational and outdoor activities! A big thank you to everyone who has supported us in bringing joy and opportunities to these wonderful kids

Looking Ahead
2024 has been a memorable year for us, but there is still much work to be done. Drowning remains the leading cause of child death in Vietnam, and Hue Help is committed to addressing this issue alongside our partners, sponsors, and donors.
Seeing the joy on the children’s faces at HCS during recreational outings and activities reminds us why this work is so important. Their happiness is our greatest reward, but none of it would be possible without the generosity of our supporters.
Together, we can continue making a difference. Thank you for being part of this journey.
Stay connected with us:
🌍 Website: huehelp.org
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/huehelp
Thank you and Happy New Year 2025!