The magic power of play
Looking back on the inaugural celebration of the first-ever International Day of Play
- English
- Tiếng Việt
UNICEF Viet Nam hosted the inaugural celebration of the first-ever International Day of Play last week at the Green One UN House in Ha Noi. A group of children, partners from the Government of Viet Nam, embassies, United Nations in Viet Nam, mass organizations and the private sector joined the event to promote the importance of play for children’s wellbeing and development.
Showcasing the event, Ngo Tan Loc, Tran Ngoc Minh (5th grade students at Vinschool), Le Thao Linh and Nguyen Quy Lam (8th grade students at Thuc Nghiem primary, secondary and high school) presented a UNICEF-organized drawing contest to bring to life children’s imaginative visions of a playground where everyone can have fun. More than 8,000 children from schools across Viet Nam participated in the competition, with 31 artworks selected by a jury displayed at the event.
To realize the International Day of Play – marked globally on 11 June – Viet Nam played a leading role as part of a coalition of governments, organizations and companies that campaigned for the adoption of this day, said Do Hung Viet, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, because “when we play, we are doing something very important for our kids and for ourselves”. Play connects generations living under the same roof and is fundamental for the development of children’s brains.
“Play is one of the most powerful tools for a child’s development. It helps shape a child’s future, contributes to their health and well-being, and fosters skills that last a lifetime,” said UNICEF Deputy Representative, Lesley Miller. The International Day of Play is also an opportunity to promote play at home, at school and in communities, and to commit “to providing the investment and support needed to make sure every child in Viet Nam benefits from the awesome, magical power of play today and every day,” she said.
In 2023, a global survey supported by UNICEF’s partner LEGO engaged more than 10,000 children and young people across the world and found “many of them lack opportunities to play – some don’t have time and space to play, and others don’t have access,” said LEGO Chief Operating Officer, Carsten Rasmussen. “Children are our role models. Let’s listen to their voices, find inspiration from the child within all of us, and work together to ensure every child has the space and time to play!,” he added.
Participants at the event included a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the ambassadors of Bulgaria and Denmark, representatives from the embassies of Brazil, Indonesia and Malaysia as well as the World Health Organization and United Nations Development Programme and the private sector, including LEGO.
To mark this inaugural event, UNICEF launched a national communications campaign that will run until mid-June to raise awareness on the importance of play and provide online resources to parents to give more play time to children.
