Journeys of smiles bring Christmas to children in a remote mountain region

Volunteers from across Vietnam have braved treacherous mountain roads to deliver Christmas gifts to children in remote areas. The journeys, often long and difficult, aim to bring warmth and support to schools where ethnic minority students face harsh conditions.

One such trip reached Sáng Pao Primary School in Mường Khương Commune, Lào Cai Province, where over 80% of the 278 pupils are Mông children. The effort was part of a broader tradition of giving that extends well beyond the holiday season.

The 400km trip to Sáng Pao Primary School included 20km of steep, slippery mountain paths. Volunteers, carrying heavy gift baskets, often had to dismount and push their motorbikes through the mud. The cold wind cut through the cracks of a rusted corrugated iron awning where the gift-giving ceremony later took place.

Inside the baskets were warm jackets, woollen hats, plastic sandals, comic books, candies, and school supplies. Many students at the school walk over an hour each morning in freezing weather just to attend classes. The donations, organised by the *Hội Phẫu Thuật Nụ Cười Việt Nam* (Vietnamese Smile Surgery Association), provided immediate relief while highlighting deeper needs. Another group, *Bước Chân Xanh* (Green Footsteps), faced even tougher conditions. Landslides had blocked parts of their route, forcing them to navigate around collapsed sections of road. Despite the challenges, their arrival brought smiles to children who rarely receive such attention. For many volunteer teams, gift-giving is only the start. They also fund long-term projects like building classrooms, buying books, offering scholarships, and sponsoring meals for boarding students. These efforts turn a single visit into lasting support for struggling communities. Though Christmas is not a traditional Vietnamese holiday, it has grown into a time for connection. The journeys teach volunteers about resilience and gratitude, while the children learn they are not forgotten.

The trips to remote schools like Sáng Pao Primary demonstrate how small acts of kindness can make a real difference. Students received essential supplies, while volunteers gained firsthand experience of the hardships faced in mountainous regions. The tradition of giving, now tied to Christmas, continues to strengthen bonds between cities and Vietnam’s most isolated communities.