Many parents have been signing up their children for summer schools, some of which have an even more rigorous schedule than the normal school year. 

Parents searching for summer classes

Nguyen Quang Vinh, a parent that sends his primary school-aged children to these summer classes, said that his children are learning two languages, maths and computer science, then are home-tutored at night.

He said that during the school year his children are constantly busy with exercises, so he wanted them to get into more in depth study during summer to prepare them for entrance exams to good secondary and high schools.

The only playtime for Vinh's children comes during breaks between subjects, or while waiting for their tutor. 

Le An, a parent in HCMC sends her child to advanced math class once a week as well as another advanced study programme and an English class.

"My kid clearly has talent but kids are kids. All they want to do is play, so I use both the carrot and the stick to keep them on track," An said. 

Another reason some parents enroll their children in such classes is as a means of childcare. 

"I don't think it's a good thing to make my kid study more than what than what is required during the regular school year, but I need someone to keep an eye on him when I'm at work," one parent said. 

Le Ngoc Diep, the head of the Primary School Education Division, under HCMC Department of Education and Training, said that attending extra classes during the summer holiday dampens creativity in children. Parents should encourage their children to play sports, read books, become interested in constructive activities and simply enjoy their childhood, he said. 

"People will not be able to effectively function or form their own ideas if they do not have life experience. You can always study, but have only one childhood." Diep said.

Many children attend summer school

Precious playtime