At a recent forum on held by the Department of Child Protection and Care, a student commented that the play areas of children are being taken over by adults.

Children playing football on pavement

In fact, this can be documented. The playground of building G at Nam Thanh Cong, in Dong Da District, has been illegally occupied with houses, the rest being used as a parking lot. Children there now play in the empty spaces of the lot, among charcoal stoves and tea stands.

The same situation is also seen at apartment blocks in Thai Thinh, Giang Vo and Trung Liet streets with even smaller playgrounds.

A playground in Ngoc Khanh Ward is built for children, but now, it has been turned into a temporary market. Giang Vo Ward has nine playgrounds, but they have all been taken over by tea stands and mobile restaurants.

Other playgrounds designed for children, such as the one at Tan Nhue Street, in Bac Tu Liem District, have been co-opted by adult game courts, used for volleyball or activities for old people.

Many parents say that they are satisfied with the playgrounds at schools, which offer large spaces with greenery, but the schools close after lessons are finished.

Authorities have recognised the problem. They intend to increase the area of playgrounds by 45% by 2020. However, this may be a difficult task, as allocation of funds for such projects in municipalities faces many obstacles.