Ho Chi Minh City Transforms Old Administrative Building into Large-Scale School

In Ho Chi Minh City, the former administrative headquarters of District 12 has been transformed into the Le Thi Rieng School, an integrated institution offering primary, secondary, and high school education, with an investment of VND 34 billion (approximately USD 1.3 million). Spanning a vast 3.2-hectare campus, it marks the second public school in the city to encompass all three educational levels. The renovation converted the former office spaces into 48 classrooms and functional rooms. Some areas were expanded by removing walls and reconfiguring with aluminum partitions to meet classroom standards, resulting in approximately 60 square meter rooms, many offering views of the lush campus. Each classroom is equipped with air conditioning, fans, sliding boards, and either interactive whiteboards or televisions. Class sizes are capped at around 35 students. The school welcomed 800 students across grades 1, 6, and 10, along with 43 staff members in its inaugural year. Grade 10 alone comprises 10 classes with over 450 students. The school has implemented a structured system for meals and naps, with nearly 500 students registered for the boarding program. The former citizen reception building has been repurposed into a canteen. Future development plans include constructing separate buildings for different educational levels, a multi-purpose gymnasium, and a swimming pool. District 12 faces high demand for school admissions, and the establishment of Le Thi Rieng School is expected to significantly alleviate enrollment pressures in Thoi An ward and surrounding areas. Ho Chi Minh City is pursuing a broader initiative to convert 23 other surplus administrative buildings resulting from mergers into educational and healthcare facilities.