In central Vietnam, schools struggle to rebuild after storms

At the school's two-story building, all 10 classrooms still suffer from water seeping through despite roofs remaining intact. Rain pools across the floors, forcing students to huddle in the driest corners while teachers sweep away puddles between lessons.

The situation is worse in the older single-story wing: seven rooms previously used for music, art, IT, and two regular classes are fenced off. Three rooms have already collapsed, and the remaining four are on the verge of failure.

Damaged classrooms at Hung Loi Primary School in Nghe An Province, central Vietnam. Photo by Anh Minh

With no option to suspend learning, the school has converted its library and administrative office into makeshift classrooms. Teachers have relocated as well, sharing the school infirmary to prepare lessons and hold meetings.

"The two-story block is 21 years old and the single-story one nearly 30. They are now leaning and breaking beyond repair," principal Tran Thi Oanh said. The new national curriculum's tech-based requirements have further strained the school, forcing it to borrow televisions to deliver lessons.

Similar hardships stretch across the region. In Bat Mot Commune, Thanh Hoa Province, the Vin satellite campus of Bat Mot Kindergarten lost two classroom roofs, with ceilings collapsing entirely. All 45 students now crowd into two narrow, aging rooms that had been unused for years.

"These temporary rooms are barely big enough for seating, and organizing learning games or supervised lunches is extremely difficult," principal Ha Thi Bao said. "Most learning materials were destroyed, and the children’s enthusiasm has clearly dropped."

Classroom at Bat Mot Kindergarten awaiting new roofing to reopen. Photo courtesy of Bat Mot Kindergarten

In Ha Tinh Province, Ky Thinh 1 Kindergarten in Vung Ang — which serves 588 children — sustained heavy damage across all three of its facilities. At the Dong Phong campus, the school gate and perimeter walls collapsed, while administrative buildings and function rooms lost roofs and windows.

Principal Le Thi Thu Ha said her deputy now works from a desk in a hallway. With the kitchen destroyed, the school has borrowed money to resume subsidized meals.

"Families here are coping with their own storm losses, so we haven’t been able to ask parents for contributions," she said.

Nghe An’s Department of Education and Training reported that recent storms flooded 45 schools, tore roofs off 332, and damaged more than 1,100 classrooms, destroying significant teaching equipment.

Emergency repairs have been made where possible, but funding gaps remain large, said department official Nguyen Trong Hoan.

"We are calling on organizations and individuals to support the rebuilding of schools," he added.

A building at Ky Thinh 1 Kindergarten with storm-torn roof. Photo by Ngoc Anh

To support recovery efforts, VnExpress's Hope Foundation has launched a relief campaign. The first phase has already provided more than VND3.5 billion (US$140,000) to 15 schools in Tuyen Quang, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An. The next round will assist schools in Thai Nguyen and Lang Son, with further assessments underway.

Support the campaign by donating here.