The activity was organized as part of the “Sports Spaces for Mental Health” project implemented by Plan International, with funding from the Botnar Foundation and the Government of Canada.

Sports Festival “Together overcoming challenges”. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

At the festival, students took part in various sports activities and team games, including stick pushing, volleyball, tug of war, sack racing and skipping rope. In addition to the competitions, the program featured an exchange with a speaker on strengthening bonds among parents, children and teachers through sports.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Pham Van Tuan, Principal of Lung Pu Semi-boarding Primary and Lower Secondary School, said that educating students should not stop at providing knowledge but should also help them develop comprehensively in terms of physical and mental health, skills and character. Therefore, physical education and sports play an important role in school life.

According to Pham Van Tuan, each sport presents different challenges in terms of strength, agility, dexterity and the ability of team members to coordinate with one another. The most important aspect of the festival is not winning or losing, but helping students learn to compete honestly, work together, respect their peers, support their teammates and remain resilient when the results are not what they hoped for.

Pham Van Tuan, Principal of Lung Pu Semi-boarding Primary and Lower Secondary School. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

According to the school, safe and friendly sports spaces also help students relieve stress, build confidence, expand their social relationships and have more opportunities to share with their peers, teachers and families.

Vu Thị May, an eighth-grade student at the school, said that previously, her physical activities mainly took place during physical education classes, which were not held very frequently. After participating in the project's activities, students have had more opportunities to play sports together on a regular basis.

Vu Thi May, an eighth-grade student at Lung Pu Semi-boarding Primary and Lower Secondary School. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

“I feel very happy, and the games are very lively. Since the project was launched, we have been brought together to participate in more activities, and we have learned to work together and become more connected with our friends. I also feel healthier,” May said. She now regularly runs, plays volleyball and badminton with her friends at school every week.

Students participate in activities at the program. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Students take part in the stick-pushing game. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Also on September 17, the “Together overcoming challenges” sports festival was held in Yen Minh commune, Tuyen Quang province, featuring volleyball, badminton, tug of war, men's football and various group activities. Through a series of sports festivals, the project aims to make sports a regular space where children can improve their physical health, relieve pressure and develop social skills, while strengthening the involvement of families and schools in supporting children's mental health.

The “Together Overcoming Challenges” sports festival was held in Yen Minh commune, Tuyen Quang province. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The “Sports Spaces for Mental Health” project has been implemented since October 2025. As of August 2026, the model had reached 6,246 students and 7,660 parents/caregivers, and organized 29 sports festivals promoting mental health at 12 lower secondary schools and six communes in the project areas.

The model aims to build equitable, safe and inclusive sports spaces, helping children improve their physical health, strengthen social connections and reinforce relationships with teachers and parents, thereby contributing to the prevention of factors that may affect children's mental health.

Plan International Vietnam Supports Students in Flood-affected Areas in Lai Chau

GNI Implements Social Work and School Counseling Development Project in 55 Schools in Vietnam