September 10, 2025
Swim for Life Vietnam (SFL), a partner of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) drowning prevention program, arose from the urgent need to address Vietnam’s high drowning rates. They empower communities in the Quang Binh province and beyond by teaching survival swimming to children and raising awareness of the issue in local communities. Through the dedication of SFL team and generosity of our supporters, they have already made substantial progress; but the journey continues. In this Q&A, Swim for Life share insights into their successes and lessons learned in helping to reduce child drowning in Vietnam.
How Did Swim for Life Approach GHAI To Establish Such a Strong Partnership in Drowning Prevention?
In 2019, the SFL Program Manager was invited by the Department of Child Affairs within the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) to attend a national conference on child drowning prevention in Hanoi. We were deeply impressed by the integrated intervention models presented by the GHAI Country Director Mrs. Doan Thi Thu Huyen and representatives from various provinces.
During a break, we had the opportunity to share updates on our program in the Quang Binh province and expressed our desire to implement a similar model in neighboring Quang Tri province. Mrs. Doan was very supportive and agreed to pilot the intervention in Quang Tri, following the model and standards jointly developed by MOLISA and GHAI.
The partnership between SFL and GHAI officially began on August 1st, 2020, and has been renewed annually, currently running through December 2025. This has been an incredible opportunity for SFL and the children we serve to be included in a nationwide effort to reduce child drowning in Vietnam.
How Would You Evaluate SFL’s & Quang Tri Authorities’ Partnership in Implementing the Joint Drowning Prevention Program?
Quang Tri province has received financial support from Bloomberg Philanthropies and GHAI since 2022. SFL, through the Golden West Humanitarian Foundation, has provided technical support to implement the program in partnership with the Quang Tri Provincial Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs (2020–2022), and with the Department of Education and Training (2023–2025).
Over the past three years, the number of swimming pools and participating children has significantly increased, demonstrating Quang Tri’s strong commitment and collaborative approach. The provincial authorities issued a variety of legal documents, action plans, guidelines and official communications on injury and child drowning prevention, which have since been put into effect.
The province’s efforts to mobilize resources and co-funding from both government and private sectors have been valuable and their commitment has made the program more cost-effective and impactful for the children of Quang Tri.
From A Technical Standpoint, What Value Has SFL Brought to the Local Community and Educational System in Terms of Drowning Prevention?
SFL has focused on building and strengthening the capacity of local human resources, especially physical education and swimming teachers. These individuals are crucial to the long-term sustainability of drowning prevention efforts.
We have provided training and guidance to ensure they can operate the program independently, using standardized materials developed through the partnership. As a result, the skills and confidence of local teachers and school administrators have significantly improved.
Our efforts have supported the operation of 11 swimming pools over the past three years, and we aim to expand further in 2025.
For The Program to Be Sustainable & Expand to More Areas, What Steps Should Be Taken Using Locally Mobilized Resources?
External support has a time limit. Therefore, local capacity must be developed to sustain and expand the program’s impact once outside funding ends.
Key actions include:
- Transitioning proven program models to new localities.
- Empowering communities to take ownership.
- Ensuring strong multi-stakeholder engagement.
Securing investment from local government and partners.
These actions will help ensure the long-term sustainability of drowning prevention initiatives across Vietnam.
