Children's Festival 2026: A day filled with joy in Dak Nong

Since 2023, “Children's Festival” has been an annual CSR initiative organized by us HELU Vietnam, aiming to bring joyful experiences to children in underprivileged communities. This year, the event was held at Doan Thi Diem Primary School, a mountainous school located in the former Dak Nong Province (now part of Lam Dong Province).

Early in the morning, while the schoolyard was still quiet, our HELU Vietnam team was already busy preparing every detail of the event. Food stalls were set up, game areas were arranged, and freshly made dishes were carefully prepared by hand. Every step was carried out with one shared goal: to create a memorable day for the children.

As the morning sun rose, the students began arriving, their curious eyes drawn to the colorful stalls. The cheerful chatter, combined with the aroma of freshly cooked food, quickly filled the schoolyard with the festive atmosphere.

The show opened with an energetic warm-up session featuring quiz games and prize giveaways. Hundreds of eager hands shot into the air as the children enthusiastically answered questions, celebrating each correct answer with school supplies, teddy bears, toys, and other small gifts.

This was followed by a stage performance of the traditional Vietnamese folktale "The Golden Starfruit Tree" specially performed by HELU Vietnam team members. Beyond entertaining the audience, the story conveyed meaningful lessons about kindness and contentment in life.

After the stage activities, every student received a gift along with tickets that allowed them to freely enjoy the food and game stalls throughout the festival.

As soon as the fair officially opened, the schoolyard became livelier than ever. Long lines formed in front of every stall as the children patiently waited with their tickets in hand, excited to experience everything the festival had to offer.

The food area quickly became one of the most popular attractions, serving favorites such as fried snacks, mixed noodles, chicken nuggets, buttered popcorn, and pancakes. Bubble tea and soft drink stalls also stayed busy throughout the day, keeping up with the children's excitement.

The game zone echoed with laughter and cheers as students challenged themselves with activities including duck shooting, piggy bank smashing, ring toss, and stick-catching games. Every completed challenge brought smiles and small prizes, making each achievement even more rewarding.

For children who enjoyed creative activities, the sand art and statue painting stall offered a quieter but equally enjoyable experience. With great concentration, they carefully colored each piece, creating unique works of art that reflected their imagination and creativity.

As the event came to an end and the stalls were gradually packed away, the joy remained on the children's faces. The gifts they took home, the games they played, and the delicious treats they enjoyed were all part of a day they would surely remember.

For us, “Children's Festival 2026” was more than an annual community initiative. It was an opportunity to connect, share, and create meaningful memories with the children. In return, the bright smiles of nearly 350 students at Doan Thi Diem Primary School became the most precious gift of all, bringing a joyful and memorable day to a perfect close.