In the remote mountains of northern Vietnam, a school serving both primary and secondary students has long struggled with limited resources. In a region where roads are winding, internet connectivity is slow, and access to technology is scarce, education often feels disconnected from the rest of the world. For Ha Van Dung, a geography teacher and head of the school’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) club, the classroom is full of untapped potential – but it lacks the tools to fully unlock it.
“I want to explore new educational software, but we don’t have the equipment,” Dung shares, adding that with no computers or internet, it’s difficult to make lessons engaging. “I know my students are curious, but without the right tools, their learning feels incomplete.”
This is a reality faced by many rural schools in Vietnam. A 2023 UNESCO report reveals that nearly 50% of rural students in the country lack access to basic educational technology, such as computers and reliable internet. In such conditions, it becomes nearly impossible for these students to keep up with their urban counterparts, where digital tools are seamlessly integrated into the classroom. While urban schools benefit from smart classrooms, high-speed internet and digital learning platforms, many rural schools continue to rely on outdated teaching methods, struggling with a severe digital divide.
However, earlier this year, this school was selected as part of ChildFund Vietnam’s “Empowering Digital Learning for All” project, aimed at bridging this gap and helping students and their teachers engage with modern ways of learning. The school was equipped with a modern digital learning space featuring an interactive screen, a desktop computer, 20 tablets and 3D mapping software, transforming the classroom into a dynamic hub of creativity and exploration. The goal isn’t just to add technology – it’s to open doors that have previously been closed.
Dung demonstrating a lesson using Mozabook on the newly-installed interactive screen.
“I know my students are curious, but without the right tools, their learning feels incomplete.” – Ha Van Dung
A New Way to Learn
For Dung and his students, the arrival of new technology is a game-changer. Teachers receive training on advanced educational software, such as Mozabook, which uses 3D illustrations to help students visualise complex subjects. With interactive tools now available, students no longer rely solely on static maps and textbooks. These new resources enable them to engage with the subject matter in more dynamic ways, offering a level of interactivity and depth that wasn’t possible before.
For Cai*, a student who had never used a tablet before, the shift has been transformative. “I feel much more interested in classes like these. I’m really proud to have created a video on my own,” she says. Cai’s excitement is shared by her classmates, many of whom have never interacted with digital technology in such a hands-on way. Instead of simply absorbing facts, they are now actively creating, experimenting and exploring.
Minh*, a member of the STEM club, adds, “I’m so happy to participate in these exciting lessons. Using the tablet is something new to me, and I’m always eager and thrilled when I get to show everyone the video I made.”
Cai (centre) and her classmates have enjoyed learning and creating on their new tablets.
Learning Beyond the Textbook
This shift from passive to active learning is immediate. Dung’s students are now using digital tools to create their own content, design 3D models and collaborate on projects. They use apps like Quizizz to play learning games, testing their knowledge in real time. The focus is no longer solely on memorising information but on using technology to solve problems, think critically and create.
With modern digital equipment, teaching and learning have become much easier. The classroom is now more dynamic, with teaching methods evolving to place students at the centre. Projects are assigned that encourage students to showcase their creativity and develop their skills in new, engaging ways.
“I’m so happy to participate in these exciting lessons. Using the tablet is something new to me, and I’m always eager and thrilled when I get to show everyone the video I made.” – Minh
The Digital Divide in Rural Education
The story of this school is not unique. Across Vietnam, rural schools continue to face significant barriers to education, particularly when it comes to digital access. While urban schools are often equipped with smart classrooms, high-speed internet and digital learning platforms, many rural schools still rely on outdated teaching methods and limited resources.
Although nine out of ten schools in Vietnam are now connected to the internet, there’s still a noticeable gap between urban and rural areas. In cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, students are more likely to find themselves in classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards, tablets and digital learning tools. Meanwhile, rural schools like this one often contend with slow internet speeds, unreliable connections and a shortage of modern technology. With national targets set to achieve 100% connectivity in schools by 2025, the journey to closing this digital divide is well underway – but the road ahead remains challenging.
At Dung’s school, however, the arrival of new technology is already making a tangible difference. Students like Cai and Minh are excited to learn in new ways. With support from ChildFund Vietnam, they are gaining essential digital skills for the future, learning to create multimedia projects, navigate digital platforms and think critically about the information they encounter. As Cai says, “I feel much more interested in classes like these. I’m really proud to have created a video on my own.” For them, these skills go beyond academic success – they are the building blocks for succeeding in an increasingly digital world.
Minh (right) and his friends practice making videos on their schools’ tablets.
A New Generation of Learners
In the mountains of northern Vietnam, one classroom has evolved into a space of curiosity, creation and exploration. With the support of teachers like Dung, students are building skills for a future that is wide open. As digital tools make their way into more rural classrooms across the country, this school’s story is a powerful reminder of how technology can transform education and create new opportunities. Students like Cai and Minh are ready to seize them.
*Names have been changed to protect individuals’ identity.
If you’re looking to give a meaningful and lastinggift that also gives back, you’ve come to the right place. From charity birthday gifts to Easter charity gifts, ChildFund’s Gifts for Good catalogue is packed with a variety of life-changing items that support the wellbeing of children, families and communities living in poverty around the world.
With our range of gifts that also benefit charity, you are giving meaningful presents for your family members, friends, loved ones, and work colleagues while also making a difference in the world. Whether it’s charity Christmas gifts, birthdays, anniversaries, Hanukkah, Eid or Diwali, you’ll bring greater meaning to the gesture of giving with Gifts for Good. A gift of a dozen chickenscould make a great charity Easter gift, or donate life-saving birthing kits for mums for Mother’s Day or for baby showers.
Long-time ChildFund Australia supporter Carol Vleeskens buys Gifts for Good several times a year as Christmas and birthday presents. “I buy a whole heap and keep the Gifts for Good cards in my cupboards because they don’t go off and get eaten like my chocolates!”
Not sure where to start? Here’s everything you need to know about giving Gifts for Good – the perfect gift for any occasion.
What are some other great occasions for gift-giving?
Gift-giving isn’t limited to the holiday season. There are numerous occasions throughout the year when you can express your appreciation, celebrate milestones and make a positive impact with Gifts for Good. Here are just a few suggestions:
Birthdays: Celebrate another trip around the sun with a unique and thoughtful Gift for Good. Whether it’s supporting education, healthcare, or community development, a charity birthday gift not only brings joy to the recipient but also contributes to making the world a better place.
Work Anniversaries: Mark the dedication and hard work of your colleagues or employees by acknowledging their hard work with a meaningful Anniversary charity gits. Gifts for Good offer a special way to recognise milestones, creating a culture of appreciation and shared values within the workplace.
Weddings: Instead of traditional wedding favors, say I do to making a lasting impact by gifting your guests with wedding charity gifts or donations. Charity wedding gifts not only add a meaningful touch to your special day but also contributes to causes that resonate with you and your partner.
Retirements: Celebrate the culmination of a career with a retirement gift that goes beyond the ordinary. A charitable donation in honor of the retiree allows them to leave a lasting legacy of kindness and compassion.
Special Achievements: Whether it’s completing a degree, achieving a professional milestone, or reaching a personal goal, commemorate special achievements with a gift that reflects the recipient’s values. It’s a thoughtful way to acknowledge their hard work and dedication.
Mother’s or Father’s Day: Express love and gratitude with our Mother’s day charity gifts that can be found in our Gift for Good catalogue. Choose a cause that aligns with their interests, creating a heartfelt and impactful way to celebrate their role in your life.
Company Milestones: When your company reaches a significant milestone or achieves a noteworthy goal, consider marking the occasion with a collective contribution to a charitable cause. It’s a meaningful way to celebrate success while giving back to the community.
What are Gifts for Good?
A range of charity, life-changing gifts that help support children and families living in poverty around the world. The items listed represent some of the many tools and resources that form part of our child-focused development programs.
Where do the gifts go?
We pool all gift donations to maximise the impact you make, allocating your contribution when and where it is needed most. For example, we would never give a community more chickens than they could possibly need. Once your donation is processed, 100% of the funds are sent to our country offices overseas to purchase and deliver the gifts you have chosen.
While gifts relating to education, health care and livelihoods are regularly included in the catalogue, we added some great new items in 2023:
Help support children and their families all year long with these life-changing essentials!
How can I choose a Gift for Good?
It’s easy! All you need to do is choose your charity gift from our Gifts for Good catalogue and you’ll receive beautiful postal or printable e-cards that you can personalise and give to the person you’re buying for. This card also explains the life-changing gift you’ve given on their behalf.
Your Gift for Good will go to where it’s needed most, supporting children, families or communities living in poverty or facing conflict or disaster.
Add a personal touch to your gift
With more than 40 impactful Gifts for Good items available, you can find a unique gift to suit the interests of your friends, family, colleagues or loved ones. For Carol, choosing the perfect Christmas gift means finding one that’s meaningful for both the donor and the recipient, and benefits the wider community.
“I will try and match the gift to the person,” she says. “For example, I have a friend who works in public health so I gave her the gift that provides children with mosquito nets. And if I know someone who is passionate about gardening, I might give them one about seeds or trees.”
Gifts for Good is where Carol goes to buy all her presents. “Gifts for Good is fantastic because I don’t have to think!” she says. “I don’t have to go to the shops and spend time thinking about what someone has or doesn’t have, or if something is in their colour scheme. I don’t have to don’t do any of that.”
A gift of a lifetime
No matter what the occasion, you can give a charity gift with our Gifts for Good. After all, the real magic of any celebration is spreading cheer and kindness and giving to those in need.
Whether you choose to donate a dairy goat or bright future bundle, you can bring deeper meaning to your presents and deliver lasting impact to the lives of thousands of children and their families.
