In July this year, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, nearly 30 primary and secondary school-aged children gathered at the long house of Ama Jiwon in Akŏ Dhông village, Buon Ma Thuot city, Dak Lak province. There are two free English classes opened by volunteer students from the province during the summer vacation. In the class, the children can review vocabulary and practice English communication through games and songs.

Do Thanh Nha Byă (10 years old), from Akŏ Dhông village, excitedly said: “I can take a free English class taught by university students. I find it very useful. And this summer I will learn many more things, especially I hope I can speak many languages ​​and I will learn how to communicate with people around me, or foreigners.”

As for H Da Rin Enuol (15 years old) in Ale B village, Ea Tam ward, Buon Ma Thuot city, the summer days are even more interesting when she is exposed to Ede culture through the xoang dance class organized by the Center for Communication, Culture and Sports of Buon Ma Thuot city. H Da Rin said: In the past month, my friends and I have learned about the festival traditions of the Ede people, the rituals, the activities that use xoang dance and the basic xoang dance lessons. Through that, I have better understood and loved the ethnic culture.

H Da Rin Enuol said: “I have learned more about my ethnic culture. I know more dance moves and can combine lessons from teachers, choreograph many dances and can also teach them to students in the next classes. From then on, in festivals or on any occasion organized by the village or ward, we will be very confident to perform in front of everyone.”

Another activity that attracts the participation of many ethnic minority children in Dak Lak every summer is the “Literary and Artistic Creation Training Camp” organized by the Dak Lak Literature and Art Association. This year, this activity has nearly 40 students participating. These students are selected from competitions for excellent students, international letter writing competitions (UPU), and talented students at 24 secondary and high schools in the province.

Along with being guided by writers, poets, and artists in composing literary and artistic genres, the children also had the opportunity to go on field trips and interact with Border Guard soldiers; learn about forest culture and elephant culture at Yok Don National Park; interact with children in border areas; and have practical experiences at the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department, Dak Lak Provincial Police, etc. Thereby, helping them cultivate emotions and accumulate materials for composing literature and painting. Be Thi Thu Uyen (13 years old, Tay ethnic group) in Ea Hđing commune, Cu Mgar district shared that the days participating in the training camp helped her have new experiences, thereby making her more appreciative and grateful for what she is enjoying.

“We experienced many activities, such as learning about the World Coffee Museum, the Ama H'Mai Museum, going to the Vietnam - Cambodia border, Bo Heng Border Guard Station and many other activities. The most impressive thing for me was going to Bo Heng Border Guard Station and touching the Vietnam - Cambodia border marker. This was the first time I set foot on the border, touching the border marker brought me a very strange feeling,” Uyen said.

Ms. Nie Thanh Mai, President of Dak Lak Literature and Arts Association, assessed that although the experience time was not too long, the children showed interest and enthusiasm for each activity. Every year, the program always changes, not repeating itself so that the campers always feel attractive and new, even for those who have participated before.

Ms. Mai said: “We see that the children are extremely interested in listening to the teachers explain about the cultural traditions of ethnic groups and about history. They all take notes attentively and are very focused. Starting from the smallest things like each trip, meetings with soldiers, fire police officers, people who are dedicating their lives and youth to contributing to their homeland.”

Mr. Mai Van Chuyen, in Ea Mdroh commune, Cu Mgar district, whose child participated in the experience, said that the activities brought positive results. Returning after the activities, he noticed that his child had clearly changed, becoming bolder, more confident and proactive in communicating with people around him.

“During the time my child participated and when he returned home, I saw that he was more obedient, his ability to speak and live had many positive changes. Observing the interaction and exchanging with the organizers during the participation on the Zalo group, I saw that the organizers and teachers gave very detailed and specific instructions, which had a positive impact on the children. It was also a very useful experience for my child during the summer vacation,” Mr. Chuyen shared.

Summer is coming to an end, but for ethnic minority children in Dak Lak, cultural experiences have opened up opportunities to learn more about the unique and attractive features of ethnic groups. Thereby fostering in them a love for culture, nurturing their souls, so that the summer vacation is more interesting and useful.