VietNamNet Bridge – Many Vietnamese parents are willing to shell out tens of millions of dong for their children’s summer holidays, seeing it as the opportune time for children to advance their English and life skills.

Ngoc Hoa of Hanoi is sending her son off to a short summer camp program in Singapore for the second year in a row.

“The program, which lasts seven days, costs VND30 million. I will also give him some pocket money,” Hoa said. The sum of money is triple the monthly earnings of those just reaching high income status in Vietnam.

“He returned very happy and dynamic from last year’s summer camp, so I’m letting him attend once more this year,” she said.

The boy’s summer holiday will be different next year, as Hoa is already making plans to send him to a camp in the UK. “I have told him that he will be able to attend camp in the UK next year if he passes the entrance exam to the Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted,” Hoa said. “My son will study at a foreign university in the future. Therefore, I need to prepare him with English skills right now.”

The UK summer camp Hoa mentioned is one of the most expensive summer education programs now available. Designed for students aged 12-17, it costs VND100-150 million, with the fee depending on the program’s duration, two or four weeks. It provides English lessons and alternate culture activities.

And Hoa is not alone. There are numerous Vietnamese parents who are willing to spend tens of millions of dong on summer extracurricular activities for their progeny.

A company in HCM City is enrolling students for a program of English, social skills practice and dance instruction. The cost of the program is VND30 million.

The same company is also enrolling students in its Training Vietnamese Young Leaders course, designed for the ages 12-20, and scheduled to open in July. Every participant will have to pay VND37 million.

An even more costly course, Global Teen Leader, will also open in July. The special training program includes the trips to Singapore and Malaysia. Its cost: VND50 million.

Mai Lan, a parent in Hanoi’s Cau Giay district, said she may have to pay over VND10 million for her 5-year-old daughter’s summer program.

“I have decided to send her to a privately run class near our house. The fee is VND6 million for four-week services. Besides that, I have to pay for her meals and other extra expenses,” she explained.

Though Lan could leave the girl with her grandparents, she has opted to let her daughter attend the class, where the girl can meet friends, and communicate and play with them.

“It would be much better to play outdoors than sit in a closed room watching TV or playing with iPad,” she said.

Huy Thanh, a parent in the Hoan Kiem District in Hanoi, said his daughter has an ambitious plan this summer.

“She plans to attend an English course, a life skill course and a military camp,” he said. “All of her needs will be met, so that she can practice life skills, which is important in her future life”.

Chi Mai