Following a successful pilot program, Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Education and Training (DoET) has officially announced that starting in January 2026, 100% of secondary and high schools will implement a ban on mobile phone use during recess. The initiative, aimed at reducing digital addiction and fostering real-world social interaction, will replace screen time with physical activities, board games, and reading sessions.
A City-Wide Rollout Following Pilot Success
The decision to tighten regulations on mobile devices follows a structured trial phase that began in October 2025.
- Massive Expansion: What started as a pilot program in 16 select schools will now expand to all middle schools (THCS), high schools (THPT), and Continuing Education Centers (GDTX) across the city's 22 districts and Thủ Đức City.
- Overwhelming Consensus: Data released on December 30, 2025, shows that approximately 98% of parents support the restriction. Furthermore, over 70% of students indicated they were willing to put away their phones if schools provided engaging alternative activities.
- The Vision: Mr. Nguyễn Văn Hiếu, Director of HCMC DoET, emphasized that this is not a punitive "ban" but rather a shift toward positive behavioral orientation. The goal is to transform school environments from silent, screen-focused zones into vibrant communities of active movement and direct communication.
Curbing the "Silent Recess" and Digital Risks
Educational experts and city officials have raised alarms over the "silent recess" phenomenon, where students spend their breaks in isolation despite being surrounded by peers.
- Digital Distractions: Research suggests that excessive phone use during breaks makes it significantly harder for students to refocus during lessons, often taking up to 20 minutes to re-engage with academic material.
- Mental and Physical Health: The move addresses rising concerns over sedentary lifestyles, cyberbullying, and the "online abduction" of children's attention by addictive algorithms. By removing the digital shield, schools aim to reduce anxiety and depression linked to social media use.
- Safety First: Schools will still allow phone use during class time if specifically directed by a teacher for a lesson, and they are required to provide free communication channels (such as office phones or designated kiosks) for students who need to contact their families for emergencies.
Life Without the Screen
To ensure the policy’s sustainability, HCMC schools are investing in "recess transformations" to keep students occupied and entertained.
- Physical and Mental Sports: Schools are expanding facilities for chess, folk games, table tennis, and Vovinam (Vietnamese martial arts) to encourage physical movement.
- Social Hubs: Many campuses are setting up "reading corners," radio clubs, and music performance stages to facilitate creative expression.
- Student Self-Management: A key pillar of the 2026 rollout is the self-management model, where students themselves help organize activities and encourage their peers to stick to the no-phone rules, fostering a sense of collective responsibility.
As Ho Chi Minh City sets this precedent, other major Vietnamese cities are expected to monitor the results closely, potentially leading to a national shift in how technology is integrated and restricted within the school day.