According to the 2024 Education Market Study conducted by Britcham Vietnam in collaboration with Decision Lab, Vietnamese parents are increasingly moving away from a culture that solely values academic performance. Their top 5 child-rearing goals include: children who are physically and mentally healthy and capable of self-care; have a strong moral foundation; possess critical thinking and problem-solving skills; have soft skills and build positive social relationships; and have a passion for learning and creativity. "Vietnamese parents are gradually shifting away from the outdated, traditional culture that prioritizes academic achievements," the survey noted.

In today's technologically advanced era, alongside textbook knowledge, many parents are beginning to appreciate the role of real-world experiences in teaching their children life skills through practical exposure via extracurricular activities, hobby classes, and summer camps. Among these, school sports are becoming a priority for many families. Not expecting their children to become "athletes," many parents hope their children "have the right to try, the permission to fail, and to grow each day" in a sports environment.

This is also how Hong Phuong (Hanoi) raises her daughter, Tra My. From a young age, Tra My has shown a particular fondness for basketball, and her family has always supported her in pursuing this passion. Although a former professional athlete herself, Phuong doesn't expect her daughter to "follow in her footsteps" nor does she pressure her to achieve specific results. "I just want my child to have a fulfilling childhood, to play sports, and to develop both physically and mentally," she shared.

After years of participating in various sports with her daughter, Phuong has realized that sports provide an environment for children to develop life skills naturally and effectively. Tra My has become more confident, improved her communication and coordination with teammates, learned discipline, and enhanced her ability to focus. The intertwined schedule of academics and basketball has also taught her how to manage her time effectively and become more responsible for her actions.

Physically, regular exercise has helped My grow taller and develop a solid health foundation. Emotionally, she has learned to stay calm during competitions, maintain a positive attitude, and experience the joy of playing sports with friends.

Tra My (holding the flag) has learned many valuable lessons from sports. Photo: NVCC

Similarly, Truong Hoa (Hung Yen) also encourages his 11-year-old son, Quoc Viet, to engage in physical activities he enjoys. From a young age, Viet loved playing soccer with his neighborhood friends. As he grew older, he started playing in local community leagues. Through each match, he developed a regular routine and discipline in eating, sleeping, and resting to prepare for games.

Having his talent recognized by local coaches and being recommended to a soccer training center in 2023, Viet has had the opportunity to play in various tournaments across the country, such as the provincial Phu Dong Sports Games and the National U11 Children's Football Tournament - Nestle Milo Cup.

After 3 years of playing soccer, Viet has grown taller, become more outgoing, and taken more initiative in balancing his schedule between school, training, and competitions. Hoa shared, "Witnessing my son's positive changes every day, I believe that sports are the best teacher." According to Hoa, sports not only improve his son's physical health but also cultivate resilience and perseverance from a young age, preparing him for any challenge, whether on the field or in life. For a father like him, these changes are more valuable than any victory.

Truong Quoc Viet (in red) during a match at the National U11 Football Tournament - Nestle Milo Cup. Photo: NVCC

To support their children's holistic development, both Phuong and Hoa are present at every milestone in their children's sports journey, from training sessions and cheering from the stands to ensuring nutritious daily meals. From community matches to major tournaments, Viet always has his parents' support. Hoa recalls a match at the Phu Dong Sports Games organized by Hung Yen province: "My son was disappointed that he hadn't scored a goal. I simply encouraged him, saying, 'You tried your best today, and tomorrow, even a little improvement means you've already won against yourself.'" In the days leading up to tournaments, he focuses on nutrition in every meal to ensure his son has enough energy for training, and supplements with his son's favorite drink, like a carton of Milo in the afternoon.

Parents cheering on their children at school sports tournaments. Photo: NVCC

Phuong also believes the most crucial thing is for parents to be willing to help their children have diverse experiences, accompanying them to understand their desires and how they need to develop. To this day, Tra My maintains her love for physical activity, playing both soccer and basketball, and actively participating in cultural and artistic activities. Her journey is supported by her family, and sports have become a bridge to her multifaceted development.

According to education experts, when parents choose to support rather than impose, children have the opportunity to develop holistically in the direction they desire. After all, parents are the ones who lay the first bricks in their children's growth journey.

Parents supporting children at a school sports tournament. Photo: NVCC

In addition to the efforts of parents, many organizations and businesses are supporting school sports, contributing to creating a holistic development environment for children. A prime example is Nestle Milo, a nutritional brand associated with school sports, which has been and continues to support millions of Vietnamese parents in nurturing an active and healthy generation of Vietnamese youth. For many years, Nestle Milo has continuously expanded school sports fields and community tournaments for children by sponsoring and organizing various activities within the framework of the "Active Vietnam" program to bring sports to more children across the country.

Le Bui Thi Mai Uyen, Business Executive Officer of Milo and Milk at Nestle Vietnam, shared, "Sports are a teacher that helps children not only develop physically and mentally but also equips them with essential qualities for the future: perseverance, resilience, teamwork, and discipline." Uyen added that supporting diverse school sports fields, from basketball, soccer, and Vovinam to swimming and aerobics, is part of the brand's long-term commitment to building a more dynamic generation of Vietnamese youth.

Kim Anh