Ten Years of Words on Wheels in Ho Chi Minh City Brought the Joy of Learning to 34,000 Students
This longstanding community programme provided educational resources such as books and multimedia facilities to more than 30 schools while fostering cross-cultural understanding between Singaporean and Vietnamese communities.
Students of Phu Huu Secondary School reading at the WOW mobile library.
From 2014 to 2024, a mobile library van visited 32 schools on rotation in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It provided about 34,000 students with convenient access to English and Vietnamese books. It was also fitted with computers for them to use online educational applications.
The mobile library was part of an education initiative called Words on Wheels (WOW) Ho Chi Minh City. Organised by the Singapore International Foundation, Keppel Ltd, and Vietnam’s General Sciences Library, WOW sought to promote learning among children and youths in local communities.
SIVs (in orange) interact with students in a classroom activity based on a curriculum designed to cultivate students’ interest in reading and learning.
WOW enabled Singapore International Volunteers (SIVs) and the Vietnamese community to forge cross-border friendships through knowledge-sharing and cultural exchanges. Over the years, more than 250 SIVs led educational workshops in participating schools. Workshop topics included English lessons, environmental conservation and IT and financial literacy. The goal was to empower students with valuable knowledge and boost their interest in learning.
SIV Mr Kwok Yan Hoe said that the students showed great interest in the conversations on green living. He added: “I hope the activities would inspire them to adopt a more environmentally friendly way of life.”
Students using the new computers at the refurbished school library.
Representatives from SIF, Keppel Ltd, General Sciences Library and the Department of Education and Training at the closing of the WOW Ho Chi Minh project.
On 4 April 2024, WOW Ho Chi Minh City concluded its 10-year run with two closing events at Phu Huu Secondary School and Tung Thien Vuong Secondary School.
In attendance were Mr Nguyen Van Qui, Deputy Head of the Department of Education and Training of Thu Duc City, Mr Nguyen Quoc Hung, Deputy Head of the Department of Education and Training of District Eight, Mr Jaryll Chan, Executive Director, Programmes Division, Singapore International Foundation, Mr Joseph Low, President, Real Estate (Vietnam), Keppel Ltd, Ms Dam Suyen Nhu, Head of Sales, Marcom & Customer Experience, Real Estate (Vietnam), Keppel Ltd, and Mr Vinh Quoc Bao, Deputy Director, General Sciences Library of Ho Chi Minh City.
Students using the new computers at the refurbished school library.
Seven schools across the city also received computers and books to refurbish their libraries and computer labs. The refurbishments are designed to create accessible and conducive learning environments and will benefit about 7,500 students annually.
Students participating in activities that encouraged conversations around sustainability and climate change.
The events saw volunteers engaging students in art workshops to raise awareness of environmental challenges and inspire suitable actions.
Ms Truong Pham Anh Duong, a Phu Huu Secondary School student, said she enjoyed the collection of books available in the mobile library. She said: “I believe reading is important as it boosts our creativity and allows us to improve our language skills. I look forward to borrowing more English books to expand my vocabulary.”
