"Keep the alley clean and fresh, keep spirits cool and bright', 'Slow down in narrow alleys, for everyone's peace of mind' and 'Children nearby, please slow down' are among the messages appearing in neighbourhoods in Phu Tho, Khanh Hoa, Dong Nai, An Giang, Ha Tinh, Quang Ninh and other localities.
The signs stand out for their wording, turning familiar reminders about cleanliness, road safety and children into short, rhythmic phrases that sound like everyday exchanges between neighbours.
The friendly approach has caught the attention of residents and passers-by, with some stopping to read, take photos or share the signs on social media, making familiar messages gentler and more memorable.
“I often ride quite fast on my way home from work, but the new sign reminded me to slow down. It feels like a reminder from someone you know," said Nhat Thinh, a resident of Tran Bien Ward in Dong Nai City.
Ngoc Mai, a resident of Rach Gia Ward in An Giang, said “My child stops to read the signs every afternoon on the way home from school. She has even memorised them and repeats them to us at home.”
Similar signs in Kim Son, Ninh Binh, have also drawn attention from residents. Ngoc Hoa, a long-time resident, said what stood out to her was how the messages reflected familiar situations in neighbourhood life.
“Gentle, considerate reminders like these are easier for people to accept. In the past few days, vehicles entering the alley seem to have slowed down, with less loud revving than before," she noted.
The signs have also found an audience online. Photos have been shared in local social media groups, where users have commented on the accessible wording and suggested other messages they would like to see in their own neighbourhoods.
What began as simple signs in small alleys has therefore become a topic of conversation among people living in the same communities.
The signs are part of 'Khu pho biet thuong', or the 'Caring Neighbourhood' programme, a community initiative supported by FPT Telecom and implemented in cooperation with local authorities.
Rather than using unfamiliar slogans, the programme draws on everyday situations in residential communities, including slowing down where children are present, keeping shared areas clean, taking care in narrow alleys and helping maintain pleasant living spaces.
According to Pham Trung Hieu, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and Youth Union secretary in Tay Thanh Ward, HCM City, adults reminding children and neighbours looking out for one another had long been familiar features of community life.
The signs have been tailored to different locations, from small alleys to roads through residential areas. Their messages cover a range of everyday situations, helping make each reminder more relevant to the community where it appears.
