Many wealthy families spend thousands of USD to send their children abroad to summer camps in the hope of improving their children’s communication and English skills.

Mrs. Bui Hong Chuyen in Dong Da District, Hanoi, spent VND32 million (USD1,523) for her daughter to join a tour in Singapore from June 18-24.

Summer camps expected to help improve students’ team-work and English skills

She said, "My daughter will have a chance to experience a better learning environment in the public schools of Singapore. She will also take part in study teams which will give her the experience of working with others. She will also learn a lot about Singapore itself. I hope that when she returns, her English will be improved and she'll be more confident."

Mr. Do Ngoc Tuan in Cau Giay District spent VND66.6 million (USD3,171) for his son to go to an international camp in the US from July 15 to August 4. He expected that his son would team work and how to to think creatively.

Recognising the demand, many centres and organisations have launched summer camp tours.

The HCM City Youth Union and the International Youth Club held a summer camp tour of Singapore named “Sky 2012”. Other programmes include a trip to Songdowon, Wonsan and Pyongyang in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Meanwhile, domestic educational trips are much cheaper. A two-day tour to Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province, costs just VND2.9 million (USD138) per person.

Nguyen Trong An, Deputy Head of Department of Protection and Care of Children, said that the organisers of such programmes need to carefuly consider their curriculum to tailor it to the needs of students.