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Moving Forward: Building Libraries for Vietnamese Children

By VVAW

VVAW continues to fund children's libraries in Vietnam. Our FIFTH library has just broken ground. The overwhelming support VVAW members and supporters continue to show for the building of children's libraries and learning centers in Vietnam provides something positive for all of us in these dark times.

Our partnership with the Library of Vietnam Project (LOVP) continues to prove mutually beneficial and, most importantly, is providing educational opportunities to some of the poorest and most war-torn parts of Vietnam. In LOVP's almost three decades of building children's libraries in Vietnam (and Laos and Cambodia), VVAW has been their largest fiscal sponsor. We have you all to thank for that. Your donations and bequests are crucial as we move forward with more libraries.

We have overcome recent setbacks from nationwide redistricting in Vietnam, and construction is moving forward. In December 2024, Vietnam convened a major meeting of Communist Party leaders and representatives from the then 63 provinces and cities in Hanoi, resulting in Vietnam now having 34 provinces.

Redefining political alignments is hardly a new thing in Vietnam. The stated goal of this new realignment is to eliminate bureaucracy. Earlier realignments occurred in the 1940s, 50s, 70s, 80s, and now in the 2020s.

Chuck Theusch of LOVP reports, "The planned fifth library, in the pipeline for processing by the then Binh Dinh Provincial District authority, had to be reintroduced to the Gia Lai Provincial Authorities. They harbor a more historic concern for American presence in their country. Gia Lai Province military enforcement was now being applied in the old Binh Dinh Province. The Gia Lai Provincial Security spent a great deal of time doing nothing but making reporting demands on the Project, irrespective of the local teachers, administration and People's Committee that hungered for VVAW's generous offer of a 2026 Library & Learning Center. Effective June 18, 2026 we terminated our Project in Gia Lai and moved to Quang Ngai, ironically closer to the historic My Lai Library built years earlier."

Beyond providing a physical library and computer lab, our projects have helped spur additional government and private funding for other programs that benefit students and the local population. The Zhi-Shan Foundation Taiwan, a Japanese foundation for child and youth development in Asia, has donated books and resources.

Chuck Theusch of LOVP says: "Every VVAW and LOVP school and public library has a student or citizen volunteer group that is assigned given duties in the care and cleanup in and around the libraries on a regular basis. The libraries play a central role in extending environmental sensitivity to the students. It is not uncommon when we visit the libraries and schools to see students doing building and grounds clean ups and enhancement. At the Pho Vinh Library they have planted trees and maintain a flower bed around the VVAW Readers Garden. This involvement in the presence of the new building is true at each of the LOVP libraries, and has been since 1999." Here are some updates on the Library and Learning Centers funded by VVAW.

Mr. Tuoi, Vice-Headmaster reports:

During the 2025–2026 school year, Pho Vinh Secondary School Library successfully organized library lessons and reading periods as part of the school timetable. Every class had at least three library reading periods and one library lesson each semester. The library also strengthened cooperation with other schools by organizing book exchanges and a mobile library program.

One of the library's outstanding activities was a bilingual book-promotion drawing contest and a weekly bilingual book newsletter introducing interesting books. These activities helped students improve their English skills while developing a stronger interest in reading. The library also participated in the "Books: A Bridge of Connection" competition organized by the Zhi-Shan Foundation and won multiple prizes. Two entries were selected for the provincial competition. In addition, the library encouraged all students to participate in the Quang Ngai Reading Culture Ambassador Contest. The library selected ten outstanding entries and submitted them to the provincial competition.

Looking ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, the library will continue to improve the quality of its library lessons and reading periods while further developing its book clubs. The school also plans to raise more resources to purchase new books, improve the open reading space, and organize more creative activities such as book-based drawing contests and author talks and exchanges. In addition, the library will continue promoting bilingual book introductions and applying technology in library management. These efforts aim to encourage students to develop independent reading habits and attract more students to participate in library activities.

Vo Thi Xuan, Headmaster reports:

Thanks to VVAW and the Library of Vietnam Project, the school's long-held dream of having a library became a reality. The library has become more than just a place for reading; it is now a vibrant learning and creative space where students can explore knowledge, develop lifelong learning skills, and nurture their aspirations.

By implementing a child-friendly library model, the school has gradually fostered a strong reading culture. The library has been equipped with age-appropriate books, educational materials, bookshelves, tables, chairs, reading mats, and other facilities, providing students with a comfortable and inspiring learning environment.

Hanh Trung Primary School is committed to preserving and maximizing the value of this library by continuously improving its services, maintaining its facilities, and promoting lifelong reading among students. In the 2025-2026 school year, the library received approximately 5,200 visits. In the summer of 2026, 750 students borrowed books to take home.

On behalf of all teachers, staff, and students, we sincerely thank our sponsors for their invaluable partnership and generosity. We wish the funders and Quang Ngai Provincial Children's Protection Fund continued success in bringing meaningful educational opportunities to children across Vietnam.

#3 From our third library at the An Nghia Secondary School, Kim Son Commune, Gia Lai Province, Vietnam.

As part of our ongoing support of the children's library and learning centers we have built in Vietnam, we just sent a $5,000 grant to upgrade the computer lab at the An Nghia Secondary School. This was our 3rd VVAW-funded library built in Vietnam and dedicated to the memory of Barry Romo. This library and the computer upgrade happened because of you and your donations.

Ms. Phan, Librarian, reports:

During the past school year, the library at An Nghia successfully carried out a wide range of activities to serve the students, contributing to the promotion of a reading culture throughout the school. The library currently houses more than 5,500 books covering a variety of genres, meeting students' learning and recreational needs. The library maintained a regular reading schedule for all 19 classes, with approximately 3,000 student visits recorded during the school year. In addition, it organized several outstanding activities and collaborative programs with a mobile library, attracting more than 1,000 participants. The library also provides a welcoming and reader-friendly environment, featuring an open reading corner and themed book displays, complemented by vivid photographs showcasing library activities.

Looking ahead, the library aims to enhance the quality of its services further while promoting innovation in a modern and sustainable manner. The library plans to acquire an additional 1,000-1,500 books, develop a digital library, and increase the use of information technology in library management and reader services. The library will also expand its reading space, establish creative learning and reading corners, and organize at least five to seven major events throughout the school year to foster and promote a strong reading culture among students.

#4 From our fourth library at the Hanh Minh Secondary School, Phuoc Giang Commune, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam.

Ms. Thao, Headmaster, reports:

During the 2025–2026 school year, the Hanh Minh Secondary School library successfully supported teaching, learning, and reading activities. Books, newspapers, and other learning materials were well organized, managed, and kept in good condition. The library also provided timely borrowing and returning services for teachers, staff, and students, helping them use the library more effectively. The Social Science Department actively introduced books on different topics to support teaching and learning and to support the 2018 General Education Program. The library worked with the school to organize activities for Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day (April 21). These activities included book displays, book introductions, and reading promotion campaigns that encouraged students and teachers to read more.

In the 2026–2027 school year, the library will continue improving its services and supporting the school's educational goals. It will make good use of its facilities, books, learning materials, and equipment. The library also plans to add more textbooks, reference books, life skills books, STEM books, digital transformation materials, and other learning resources to support the 2018 General Education Program. The library will continue to promote reading by organizing regular book introductions, storytelling activities, reading festivals, and themed book displays. It will work closely with teachers to include reading activities in lessons and other school activities to help students develop their knowledge, skills, and good learning habits. Students will also be encouraged to use the digital library, online learning resources, and information technology to find and use learning materials more effectively.

In addition, the library will continue to keep accurate records, check and protect library materials, and ensure that the library is safe and well managed. It will work to maintain and improve library quality according to current standards and create a friendly, modern learning space that meets the needs of today's education.

#5 From our fifth library at the Huynh Thuc Khang Secondary School, Nghia Hanh Commune, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam.

This VVAW Project is the fifth library in a remote region of Vietnam, where none has ever existed before. The school will receive the resources that come with the new buildings: professional librarian staff, projects, programs, books, and computers. VVAW will once again invest in caring for and improving the school and grounds.

Chuck Theusch reports:

The groundbreaking was held Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Gary Counihan and Mike Dixon of the Library of Vietnam Project were there. The monsoon season has arrived, but the event was moved inside and went forward. In Vietnam, rain on a construction commencement day is deemed good luck.

Born in 1876, HuynhThuc Khang was acting President of Vietnam while Ho Chi Minh was in France in 1946. He is an icon of Jeffersonian proportion in Vietnam History. Widely revered as Cy Huynh ("Great Grandfather" Huynh), he is remembered as an unyielding intellectual of high moral integrity who dedicated his life to his country. He was a leader of the Duy Tan Movement (modernization). The Huynh Thuc Khang VVAW/Peters Library will be a profound homage to the life of inspiration he led.   

So, we still have a lot going on. Once again, thanks to major funding from long-time VVAW members Richard and Debra Peters, this library will serve the children of Vietnam.

We would love to fund and build a SIXTH library in 2027, but need your support to do so. A few major gifts would go a long way towards making that goal. Maybe you can be one of those donors? If you would like to include VVAW in your will to support these projects, contact the National Office at vvaw@vvaw.org. VVAW is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. But why wait? The children of Vietnam would appreciate your support now, and you can see the results of your donation.

Huynh Thuc Khang seconday school. Groundbreaking ceremony moved inside because of monson. September 22, 2026

Pho Vinh Summer Reader's Festival, July 6, 2026.

Hanh Trung VVAW Library Summer Reading in regular play clothes, August 3, 2026.

Zhi-Shan Foundation makes a contribution to the VVAW/Charlie Jones Library, May 2026.

Huynh Thuc Khang Secondary School Site, August 3, 2026.

Mr. Dinh Duy Long speaks at the indoor groundbreaking ceremony, September 22, 2026