BASF and Think Playgrounds build 6th public playground in Vietnam
- Project aims to develop creativity and exploration among 1,000 children in rural area of Ho Chi Minh City
- Facility built using low carbon and child-friendly materials helping kids learn about circularity
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – November 3, 2022 – BASF Vietnam today launched its sixth public playground in Vietnam, also the third in Ho Chi Minh City, to benefit about 1,000 children in An Phu Dong Ward, District 12, a rural district. This area houses many low income immigrant worker families whose jobs have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Located in the An Phu Dong Community Learning Center, the project is done in partnership with social enterprise ‚Think Playgrounds‘, An Phu Dong Ward’s Youth Union and An Phu Dong Ward’s Community Learning Center to let the children learn through play and develop multiple skills in a safe and engaging environment.
Featuring a creative design, the playground and outdoor toys are built using child-friendly and sustainable components including wood, rope and reusable materials, such as old tires. The project will provide the younger generation an opportunity to have an engaging interaction with nature and instill the habit of reusing and recycling from their early age. The facility also aims to promote exploration, inspire creativity and develop different skills among the kids as they play and interact with each other. All the facilities are installed and decorated by volunteers from BASF and the local youth union.
“As one of the leading players in the chemical industry, we want to combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. In addition, investing in the next generation of scientists and future talents is a priority for us. Therefore, we want to support the country’s efforts to prepare the younger generation for future success. Learn through play is crucial for children‘s physical and mental development and we believe the new facilities will provide the lesser priviledged kids a great outdoor place to interact, play, and develop multiple skills. Equally important, we want to promote the use of sustainable materials and provide knowledge about science and the environment among children and how they can play their part from an early age.” Erick Contreras, Managing Director, BASF Vietnam said.
Nguyen Tieu Quoc Dat, Think Playgrounds‘ Co-founder and PR Director shared: “In 2019, we conducted a site survey at the An Phu Dong Community Learning Center in our effort to create a creative playground . This center offers education to 20 kids from needy families and most of them are working off their school times to support their families. The new playground will not only help them and other children living in the neighborhood to develop their physical and cognitive skills but also promote connection and a sense of sharing among them to create a sustainable community. We would like to express our appreciation to BASF Vietnam for their support in our mission to promote the Right to Play for all urban children.”
Mrs. Tran Thanh Xuan, Secretary of the An Phu Dong Ward‘s Youth Union said: “Our community is very happy with the playground installed at the Community Learning Center. This playground is a meaningful and enjoyable gift for not only children who study in the center but also other kids who live in the nearby area.“
Play is essential for early childhood development and children are encouraged to explore outdoor play. However, the rapid urbanization of big cities in Vietnam is leading to reductions in public spaces and shortages of playgrounds. The lack of public areas as well as poor conditions of the existing facilities would hinder public health and mental and physical development of the children. BASF started its partnership with Think Playgrounds since 2019, when celebrating its 25th anniversary in Vietnam, benefiting almost 14,000 children in Yen Bai Province and outskirt areas of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
BASF Vietnam has also been active in multiple community projects. For instance, BASF has partnered with Saigon Children’s Charity to renovate schools to enhance facilities and improve hygiene and safety conditions. Moreover, it holds the interactive education program BASF Kids’ Lab on an annual basis for primary school students. The company also offers BASF Virtual Lab, a website for primary students to do fun online chemistry experiments from the comfort of their homes or schools.
Media Contacts
BASF Vietnam
Đỗ Kim Chung
Manager, Corporate Affairs
Phone: +(84 8) 3824 3833
Mobile: +(84) 912 131 288
Think Playgrounds
Nguyễn Tiêu Quốc Đạt
Co founder & Vice Director
Phone: +(84-024) 62509539
Mobile: +(84)989 259 480
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.
BASF has been active in Vietnam since the establishment of its representative office in 1994. BASF Vietnam Limited was set up in 2009. The company maintains two sales offices in Hồ Chí Minh City and Hà Nội, offering solutions for Vietnam’s key industries, including agriculture, construction, automotive, footwear, paint & coatings and electric & electronics. BASF’s sales to customers in Vietnam were approximately €284 million in 2020. BASF employed 117 people in Vietnam as of the end of 2020. Further information on BASF in Vietnam is available at www.basf.com/vn.
About Think Playgrounds
Think Playgrounds (TPG) is a pioneer social enterprise with a mission to promote children's "Right to play", through collaboration with multidisciplinary partners and communities to build environmentally friendly playgrounds, biodiversity and sustainable public spaces.
TPG believes that qualitative public space built with community is fundamental to achieving social equity, to increase life quality and community connection of urban citizens, also is the most sustainable solution for children living in cities in Vietnam to have a playful childhood.
By the end of 2021, TPG and partners built over 200 public playgrounds and community gardens, piloted the first adventure playground model in Vietnam and organized over 30 public playday, playstreet, loose-part play events in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. TPG also gets some awards for design and urban initiatives from local and international organizations.
