Overcrowding, degradation, and damage are common conditions of many school toilets in highland regions, such as Ha Giang, Dien Bien, Son La, Lai Chau, Yen Bai Provinces.
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Temporary toilet facilities made from metal sheets at a school in Mu Cang Chai District, Yen Bai Province. Photo by Vy An |
At Mo De Semi-Boarding Primary and Secondary School in Mu Cang Chai District, Yen Bai Province, nearly 1,100 students share just six makeshift restrooms, all in severe disrepair. In the boarding area, 900 students struggle with only five restrooms for boys and five for girls, all covered with temporary metal sheets.
Teacher Nguyen Tan Phong shared that many students, unwilling to wait in long lines, wake up as early as 4-5 a.m. to use the facilities. During peak hours, such as recess or after lunch, overcrowding forces some to endure discomfort, while others resort to open defecation.
"I just wish we could have one restroom for every 50 students because delaying restroom use for too long can lead to digestive issues and impact their health," Phong said.
Similar conditions exist in schools across the districts of Dong Van (Ha Giang), Muong Nhe (Dien Bien), Van Ho and Song Ma (Son La), and Tam Duong (Lai Chau), where many restrooms are damaged beyond use - or, in some cases, entirely absent - posing hygiene and health concerns for both students and teachers.
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Makeshift toilets from palm leaves needed to be replaced every 1-2 months at Pa Puoc school branch, Chieng Yen Commune, Van Ho District, Son La Province. Photo by Vy An |
According to data from the Ministry of Education and Training, in the 2019-2020 school year, more than 30% of school toilets did not meet standards across the country. UNICEF's report in Vietnam shows that lack of access to clean water and sanitation, along with poor hygiene practices, contribute to high rates of diarrhea, pneumonia, and parasitic infections.
The school healthcare program for the period 2021 - 2025 approved by the prime minister sets a goal that by 2025, 100% of schools will have toilets, of which 50% of schools will have enough toilets for students according to regulations and 80% of toilets ensure hygienic conditions.
With the introduction of the "School Hygiene" project, Hope Foundation aims to build hundreds of new toilets, helping children improve their understanding of school hygiene, thereby knowing how to take care of their health, creating a foundation for a healthy generation.
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A new toilet funded by Hope Foundation in Mu Cang Chai District, Yen Bai Province, 2024. Photo by Dinh Tung |
Hope Foundation has finished the construction of 170 new toilets in 2022-2024 in the districts of Van Ho and Song Ma (Son La), Muong Nhe (Dien Bien) and Dong Van (Ha Giang), providing better learning conditions for nearly 42,500 students and teachers. In 2025, it will continue the project in disadvantaged areas nationwide, including Lao Cai, Nghe An, and Quang Binh provinces, with the goal of constructing 100 new standardized sanitation facilities.
Truong Thanh Thanh, Chairwoman of Hope Foundation's Management Board, said that this was a project that the foundation had planned for a long time.
"Many children said that they do not dare to go to the toilet at school because it is too dirty and too inconvenient. That urges our foundation to not only build a school for them but also aim to renovate the toilet system so that the children can have better learning conditions. We hope to continue to receive the companionship and support of businesses and philanthropists to make the lives of Vietnamese children better," said Thanh.
Please send all contributions to:
Hope Foundation Office - VnExpress Newspaper
Northern Vietnam: 9th Floor, FPT Tower, No. 10 Pham Van Bach Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi.
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Mobile phone: 0972 776 776
Bank accounts for donation:
Transfer money with a note, written without accents: Donor's name - School Hygiene
(Example: John Doe – School Hygiene)
TPBank (Vietnam dong)
Account Name: QUY HY VONG
Account Number: 73007300602
Bank name: TIEN PHONG COMMERCIAL JOINT STOCK BANK, HANOI, VIETNAM.
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Swift code/BIC: TPBVVNVN
TPBank (USD)
Account Name: HOPE FOUNDATION
Account Number: 73007300503
Bank name: TIEN PHONG COMMERCIAL JOINT STOCK BANK, HANOI, VIETNAM.
Address: TPBank Building – 57 Ly Thuong Kiet – Hoan Kiem District – Hanoi - Vietnam
Swift code/BIC: TPBVVNVX