Da Nang and the Central Vietnam region are home to an extensive network of rivers, canals, lakes, and coastal areas, while also being regularly affected by storms and flooding. In this environment, swimming and water safety are not merely recreational activities but essential life skills for children. Recognising this need, Montgomerie Links selected the Free Swimming and Water Safety Program as the focus of its Green Hope 2024 community initiative, with the aim of reducing drowning risks and creating more equal opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

  

Between August 2024 and July 2026, the program successfully conducted 14 free swimming courses, reaching 185 children, of whom 162 successfully completed the program and met the required standards. Through these courses, participants acquired fundamental swimming techniques, self-rescue skills, and practical knowledge to prevent water-related accidents.

 

  

 

  

Participant lists were carefully proposed and verified by schools, social organisations, the Red Cross, and local authorities to ensure support reached children who would benefit most from access to swimming and water safety education. Beneficiaries included students from Pham Nhu Xuong Primary School, Le Hong Phong Primary School, children from SOS Children’s Village Da Nang, students in the Dien Ban area, and children referred through the Hoi An Red Cross.

 

  

 

  

The program also delivered encouraging outcomes. Many participants progressed beyond basic swimming proficiency, with a number of children able to swim continuously for 100 metres using all three fundamental strokes - breaststroke, freestyle, and backstroke. Several advanced participants achieved the ability to tread water for more than five minutes and swim distances of up to 300 metres, demonstrating a strong level of water competency. In addition, most participants successfully completed training modules on water safety awareness, drowning prevention, risk recognition, and emergency response.

 

  

 

These results highlight that the program did more than teach children how to swim; it helped build confidence, awareness, and the ability to protect themselves in aquatic environments - a particularly valuable skill set for children growing up in Central Vietnam.

The most meaningful outcome of the program was not measured by certificates alone, but by the positive transformation seen in the children themselves. Many participants who were initially hesitant around water gradually gained confidence, completed their swimming assessments, and became more willing to engage in group activities while understanding how to stay safe in and around water.

 

  

Ms. Huynh Nhu Y, a Grade 5 student from Pham Nhu Xuong Primary School, expressed her excitement about joining a structured swimming program for the first time: “I learned so many new things from my teachers. I had always wanted to learn how to swim, but my family could not afford lessons. That’s why my parents and I were so happy to be able to join this free and safe program.”

For Mr. Tran Viet Ho Khang from SOS Children’s Village Da Nang, the most significant achievement was overcoming his fear of water: “I used to be afraid of the water because I was scared of drowning. After joining the class, I became much more confident in the water and successfully completed my final assessment.”

Parents also recognised the value of the initiative. Mr. Nguyen Tan Thien, whose child participated in Course 13, described the program as a meaningful opportunity that not only helped children improve their physical fitness but also equipped them with essential life-saving skills. He noted that not every family has the means to provide formal swimming lessons, making community-supported programs like Green Hope especially valuable for many children.

 

After nearly two years and 14 successfully completed courses, Green Hope 2024 leaves behind more than impressive statistics. It has delivered meaningful and lasting benefits to children, families, and the wider community. This reflects the spirit that Montgomerie Links has consistently pursued through its annual Club Championships, where golf serves not only as a platform for competition but also as a catalyst for social responsibility, community engagement, and positive change. Through CSR projects such as Green Hope, Montgomerie Links remains committed to creating opportunities, supporting local communities, and helping build a brighter future for the next generation.

 

  

 

For organisations interested in supporting future CSR projects, please contact us:

Hotline: +84(0)353 905 660 - Ms Kim or +84(0)905 568 554 - Ms Ly

Email: sm@montgomerielinks.com 

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