Dong Hoi

SOS Children’s Villages supports individual children, young people and families so that they can thrive (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Vietnam).

Dong Hoi is located on the north-central coast of Vietnam and has twelve kilometres of white sandy beaches. It is the capital of Quang Binh province, with a population of over 100,000. The city’s economy has been growing rapidly over the last years, and the service sector is the most important source of income for the population. Nevertheless, Quang Binh remains one of the provinces in the country with the lowest income. Many young people therefore migrate to other parts of the country in search of opportunity.

Since 2006, SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children, young people and families and advocating for their rights in Dong Hoi.

5.3%
Of children between the ages of 5 and 17 work

Some children are forced to work

The prevailing poverty in some areas means that children are often forced to work. Despite Vietnam’s low average child labour rate compared to its neighbours, around 5.3% of children between the ages of 5 and 17 are working in the country. By 2018 estimates, nearly 520,000 children were engaged in hazardous labour, especially in the industry and construction sector. However, most children work in the agricultural sector. Parents may struggle to care for their children; many are forced to leave school because their families cannot afford the cost, so that only 63% of working children also go to school.

23 of 24
Ethnic minorities live in remote mountainous areas

Inequalities

Poverty levels are highest amongst Quang Binh’s ethnic minorities: there are 24 ethnic groups in the province, and 23 of them live in remote mountainous areas. Their lives are marked by poverty, illiteracy, high levels of malnutrition and disease, as well as poor access to basic services. Not only are these living conditions difficult, they also make families very vulnerable to a number of risks, such as inter-country adoptions in Vietnam. When parents are struggling to provide for their children, they sometimes want to put them into temporary care until their situation has improved – if parents are deceived, the children could be at-risk of being adopted abroad.

Your support makes a difference for children in Dong Hoi

SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to offer a wide range of support that is adapted to the local context. We always work in the best interest of the children, young people and families.
190
Children and young people
Learn at our kindergarten and school, and attend trainings
110
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
40
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
Learning at home! After school, children do their homework together. Very often, older children can help the younger ones (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Vietnam).

How your support helps in Dong Hoi

Strengthening families and communities
When parents face hardships, they can sometimes struggle to give children the care they need. SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities. Each family needs different support so that they can stay together. This support can include workshops on parenting and children’s rights. We also run training so that parents can get the skills they need to get a job or start their own businesses. Likewise, we ensure that children can get medical help and go to school.
Providing quality education
SOS Children’s Villages ensures that children and young people have access to high-quality education. We help them learn and develop in a safe and supportive environment. We train teachers on children’s rights and child-centered learning, so that each child can get the most out of their education. Young children spend time playing and learning at kindergarten. This prepares them for primary school.
Caring for children who cannot live with their families
Some children cannot stay with their families, even with additional support. When this happens, they can find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. Here the children can build safe and lasting relationships. All the children in our care have access to education and healthcare. Wherever possible, we work closely with the children’s family of origin. If children can return to live with their families, we help them adapt to this change.