When Books Open Door to Knowledge for Children in Border Area of Muong Nhe

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In this far western region of the country, fostering a reading habit among students is not something that comes naturally; it requires the perseverance of teachers.

The school has implemented various engaging activities to nurture a reading culture. (Photo: Duy Linh)

At Tran Van Tho Semi-Boarding Primary School, this effort is regarded as a fundamental pillar for improving the quality of education in the border area.

Bringing books closer to border-area students

During the 5th Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day in 2026, the schoolyard was transformed into an open reading space with the participation of nearly 1,000 students and teachers.

Students read in groups, retold stories from books, role-played characters, and shared their reflections in front of their peers. Many students, for the first time speaking before a large audience, confidently expressed their thoughts - something previously uncommon among highland students.

Pham Van Khiem, the school’s principal, said that the school’s goal goes beyond organizing a one-day event; it is to establish a sustainable reading habit among students.

The school’s small library corner always attracts students after recess and at the end of the school day. (Photo: Duy Linh)

According to Khiem, students in border areas have limited access to books, so the school has chosen to bring books as close as possible to them: directly into classrooms, lessons, and daily activities.

Classrooms are equipped with friendly reading corners featuring illustrations, book covers, and open reading spaces. Learning environments are transformed into “mini libraries,” enabling students to engage with books naturally rather than by compulsion.

Teacher Lo Thi Diep shared that at the beginning, many students were shy and unfamiliar with reading. Teachers had to read alongside them, guide them in selecting books, and encourage them to share their thoughts after reading.

“When students are allowed to choose books they like, they become much more enthusiastic. Reading gradually becomes a habit,” she said.

Promoting reading culture through innovative approaches

Beyond printed books, the school has gradually integrated digital technology into reading activities through the “Reading with you” program. Students can watch storytelling videos, read e-books, and participate in interactive reading activities via classroom television systems.

These visual methods help students, especially those with limited proficiency in the Vietnamese language, better absorb the content. The school also aims to develop a digital library to enable highland students to access knowledge more flexibly in the digital era.

Teacher Lo Thi Diep is a source of inspiration for her students with every page they read. (Photo: Duy Linh)

Positive changes have become increasingly evident. Students are more willing to speak up, more confident in communication, and more proactive in exploring new knowledge.

Nguyen Thao Anh, a student of Class 3A6, shared that reading time is the moment she looks forward to most each week. “Reading helps me learn many new things, and I hope to become a teacher in the future to teach younger children,” she said.

According to the school’s Board of Management, these small but meaningful improvements in students’ awareness and skills are the clearest outcomes of building a reading culture. Weekly reading sessions at the library are maintained, combined with expressive reading, storytelling, and illustrated presentations to sustain students’ interest.

From pages to opportunities for border-area children

In Muong Nhe, the journey to school still involves many challenges, yet small reading corners are gradually opening up vast horizons.

With the school’s guidance, teachers’ dedication, and students’ enthusiasm, a reading culture is steadily taking shape and spreading. Modest books not only provide knowledge but also nurture dreams, helping children in border areas become more confident on their educational journey.

Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day has become a major festival for the school’s teachers and students. (Photo: Duy Linh)

When a child learns to love books, geographical distance is no longer a barrier to knowledge. And from the pages opened today, the future of the country’s far western region is being shaped in the most sustainable way.

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