Nine provinces and cities in central and Central Highlands regions prone to storms and floods held a two-day training programme to prevent children from drowning.

Participants visited central Da Nang city, where more than 30,000 primary school students have learned how to swim since 2009.

"This is the first place in the whole country to teach primary students basic skills to prevent drowning, such as how to swim, how to survive underwater and how to save their friends from drowning."

The statement was made by Nguyen Trong An, Deputy Director of the Department of Children's Healthcare and Protection under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

In the past, more than 100 Da Nang children drowned every year. Today, thanks to the swimming lessons, only three or four fall victim to the water, An said.

The city also improved safety at My Khe beach by installing warning signals and preparing essential tools such as life savers, lifeboats and lifeguards.

The training programme was co-organised by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the World Health Organisation.-VNA