Belgian Queen to visit local schools in Lao Cai Province

Queen Mathilde of Belgium will visit local schools in the northern mountain province of Lao Cai to witness the quality of technology-integrated education for local students during her ongoing visit to Vietnam.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium (left) meets Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong on May 9 during her three-day visit to the country. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

The trip is an opportunity for her to learn about Vietnam's childcare challenges, she told Vietnam’s State President Vo Van Thuong at the meeting in Hanoi on May 9. 

The Queen hoped to see the results of the Vietnamese Government's efforts in caring for children and sustainable development.

During her three-day visit to Vietnam, which ends on May 11 as Honorary President of UNICEF Belgium, Queen Mathilde will also visit a mothers' nutrition club and talk to Vietnamese teenagers and students about good health practices. The Belgian Queen visited Vietnam once in 2012, working on Belgian-funded projects in rural areas of the country.

For his part, President Vo Van Thuong said that Vietnam has always saved the best for Vietnam's young generations. For that reason, the Government has continuously improved the legal framework and issued policies on child care.

However, local authorities have faced obstacles in fulfilling childcare responsibilities, including widening gaps in living conditions, nutrition, and healthcare standards among regions.

On this occasion, President Thuong thanked the Belgian Government, UNICEF Belgium and Queen Mathilde for helping Vietnam with childcare and hoped that UNICEF Belgium would expand its support in the future.

The President also invited King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to visit Vietnam soon to discuss ways to deepen and strengthen Vietnam-Belgium relations.

Mental health for students

Queen Mathilde told Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son on May 9 that mental health support for students is an important part of education.

It is essential that children are able to express their thoughts and feelings, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, she said during a meeting with Minister Son.

The Queen also appreciated that the Vietnamese authorities had included mental health care in the national curriculum.

Queen Mathilde said that as Honorary President of UNICEF Belgium, she would use her voice and influence to promote quality education for children.

Minister Son said that there are still difficulties for the Vietnamese education sector, and that he expects UNICEF Belgium to provide additional support to ensure fair access to education for local children.