Speaking at the event, Ms. Luong Minh Ngoc, UNICEF representative in Vietnam, noted:
“2024 was a challenging year for Vietnam, with over 1,000 disaster events, including Typhoon Yagi—the most powerful typhoon in the South China Sea in 30 years. It brought historic floods and landslides to many northern provinces, including Lao Cai. These devastating losses remind us that disasters are no longer distant threats but very real challenges that impact schools, families, and entire communities.”
Ms. Ngoc expressed her hope that the quiz final would be an engaging and meaningful platform for students to learn about disaster preparedness and climate adaptation—not just to protect themselves but also to become advocates within their families and communities. “Every small action today will lead to a larger impact tomorrow,” she said, encouraging students to contribute to a safer, greener, and more resilient Lao Cai.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Thanh, Head of the Bao Thang District Education Division, also welcomed the event and highlighted its importance in nurturing a generation of resilient and responsible citizens.
Children are the future of the nation, and while they are among the most vulnerable to natural disasters, they are also key agents of change. That’s why disaster education must be tailored to their needs and delivered through age-appropriate, interactive activities. The “Ring the Golden Bell” quiz game is part of a broader series of youth engagement initiatives organized in provinces such as Soc Trang, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Phu Tho, and Quang Binh.
By integrating disaster risk reduction into school activities, the game not only enriches student knowledge and skills but also fosters community responsibility. Through quiz questions on natural disaster prevention, the event helps enhance awareness and disaster response capabilities, empowering students to protect themselves and assist their families and peers during emergencies.
After two rounds—school-level qualifiers and today’s final—the contest identified the top winner who rang the golden bell, symbolizing their knowledge, capacity, and commitment to disaster risk reduction.
At the conclusion of the competition, the organizers awarded:
Student Nguyen Thi Yen Nhu was awarded First Prize for her outstanding performance.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tien, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA), and Mr. Do Manh Cuong, Deputy Head of the General Education Division, Lao Cai Department of Education and Training, jointly presented the First Prize to the winning student.
Ms. Luong Minh Ngoc, Representative of UNICEF Vietnam, and Mr. Quang Van Viet, Deputy Head of the Department of Irrigation Works Management and Disaster Prevention, Lao Cai Department of Agriculture and Environment, presented the Second and Third Prizes to the respective awardees.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong, Head of the Community-based Disaster Risk Management and Communication Department (VDDMA), and Mr. Nguyen Huu Thanh, Head of the Bao Thang District Education Division, awarded the Team Prizes to representatives of the participating schools.
