Illustrative image.

The contest is part of a programme on drowning prevention for children which will be held in 63 localities nationwide from May to August 2018.

According to Vice Director of the Vietnam Sports and Physical Training Administration, Le Thi Hoang Yen, drowning is the leading cause of death for children and adolescents in Vietnam, especially during the summer and stormy season.

An initial report showed that the percentage of Vietnamese children who are able to swim remains low at under 30%, she said, adding that it is vital and urgent to teach swimming and skills for preventing drowning to children.

The programme is jointly organized by the Vietnam Sports Administration under the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, and the Ministry of Education and Training.

Major activities of the programme include communications on mass media on safety in swimming, a national swimming competition to be held in July in the central city of Da Nang, and a drowning rescue contest in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap in August.

Source: NDO