More than 450 teachers and students in Minh Chau Commune, Hanoi, still rely on boats or ferries to reach school each day.
Located about 60 kilometres from central Hanoi, Minh Chau is a sandbank in the middle of the Red River with a population of fewer than 7,000. The commune has 1,200 pupils across preschool, primary and secondary levels, but no high school. Senior students must travel across the river to attend classes on the mainland, along with many teachers commuting to the island. This year, 458 teachers and students face the daily crossing.
At Minh Chau Preschool, 12 or more than 30 teachers and staff live across the river and travel by ferry every day. Teacher Chu Thi Loan, who has worked at the school for approximately 10 years, said she had been offered the opportunity to transfer to a school closer to her home but chose to remain.
A teacher gives presents to students at Minh Chau Preschool at a new school year ceremony on September 5.
“Crossing the river can be unsafe, especially on stormy days. At such times, my colleagues often share my workload so I can arrive late or leave early to avoid the weather,” she said.
At Minh Chau Primary School, over 10 teachers also travel from the far side of the river, some living nearly 40 kilometres away, making a round trip of approximately 80 kilometres, including the ferry crossing. Many have remained dedicated to the school for decades despite the hardship.
Commune Chairman Bui Thai Son acknowledged that education in Minh Chau still faces significant challenges, despite efforts by the local government and community. The primary school has several degraded facilities, classrooms that do not meet standards, and a shortage of qualified teachers in some subjects.
With ferry fares at around VND 14,000 (USD 0.55) per trip, the nearly 500 teachers and students collectively spend over VND 1.7 billion (USD 66,900) on transport during the nine-month school year.
In response, the commune has drafted plans to build Minh Chau combined secondary and high school, aimed at meeting local demand while optimising investment resources.
