VietNamNet Bridge – For years, those wishing to hold an outing for their children have had a few entertainment places like the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden, Dam Sen Cultural Park or Suoi Tien Theme Park. However, many modern entertainment-education venues have been established like KizCity (District 4), Kizworld (District 11), Vietopia (District 7), tiNiWorld (District 3), and Kids Yard (Tan Binh District). These locations offer  a range of playgrounds for children, relieving parents of worries about their kids’ unhealthy hobbies like online games.

Children enjoy their time working in a field at Kizciti in District 4 - Photo: Courtesy of Kizciti

Kids to these venues have a chance to learn many soft skills that are necessary for their life and future jobs. Specifically, the US$25 million Vietopia in HCMC’s District 7 that has been put into operation earlier this year has a miniature city that runs an economy and has its own currency issued by Vietopia bank. Children have to work to earn a living dependable on their ability and they will use money to buy food and drinks or to have access to sports activities. There are 72 jobs with different levels for kids to choose, including investigator, dentist and even astronaut. Kids will be taught about the contribution of each job to society and then dress up uniforms to start working.

KizCiti which is located in Khanh Hoi Park in District 4 has outdoor buildings, a square and streets in an area of 20,000 square meters. This is where participants can experience real life by working and nurturing their dreams to prepare for future. There are 50 job titles divided into two types of laborers and service users. There are rules in each career that kids have to obey and take responsibility for their violations.

Kizworld in District 11 have many games to help children understand the value of working and money and learn how to show gratefulness to their parents, ancestors and teachers. Furthermore, kids have opportunities to know how to learn by themselves and improve their brainstorming, team-building and communication skills with other friends. Children to tiNiWorld in District 3 can join in numerous educational games such as learning English through songs as well as physical training activities like dancing, cycling and climbing. Other programs for them to play and show creativity are painting and molding clay shapes.

A highlight of these entertainment–education venues is that parents are encouraged and asked to join their children during the playtime. Or parents can stay in some waiting rooms that are well equipped to enjoy some entertainment or work or they go to the fitness center. There are babysitting services as well as a positioning system that helps connect parents and their children at all times.

SGT/VNN