The room changed the moment the students walked in. After months of planning, building, and waiting, the new children’s library at Thanh Lower Secondary School opened its doors in Quảng Trị. Students moved toward the shelves, opened books, gathered around tables, and began making the space their own.
Over two days in Quảng Trị, our Hanoi team visited PD’s first children’s library, celebrated the opening of our second, and stood inside the future home of our third. Together, the three stops showed the 100 Libraries initiative in motion: one space serving its school community, one opening its doors, and one taking shape.
Representing Pixel Dreams were:
- Jules Huyen Le – Director of Operations, Hanoi Office
- Autumn Giang Tu – Operations Manager, Hanoi Office
- Dustin Chu – Multidisciplinary Editor
Together, the team travelled through Quảng Trị to continue PD’s long-term commitment to Raising Intelligence + Awareness through access to learning, by opening 100 libraries around the world.
The Journey
From Hanoi to Quảng Trị
Our team departed Hanoi on Wednesday, June 3. This would be the away team’s first time visiting Quảng Trị, where we would celebrate the opening of PD’s second children’s library, meet the community it was built to serve, and experience the region firsthand. Alongside our luggage, we packed a special gift from friends of Pixel Dreams in Hanoi.
We landed at Đồng Hới Airport and drove west to Khe Sanh. The three-hour drive, passing rolling hills, winding roads, and rows of wind turbines, was an opportunity to enjoy the rugged beauty of Central Vietnam.
Upon arriving, we were greeted by Mr Tùng Hoàng, Director of the SEEDS Scholarship Program. It was a pleasure to finally meet in person and learn more about his work in the region. We enjoyed his passionate stories about the local communities, the impact of educational initiatives in the area, and his deep connection to the place he is dedicated to serving.
That evening, we arrived at May Farm, where we were warmly greeted by many of the local teachers, school representatives, community leaders, and government officials making PD’s second children’s library a reality. These were the people navigating administrative changes, evolving requirements, and other challenges that could have killed the project. Their commitment to serving local students is unwavering.
Despite such diverse backgrounds, we were united around one common theme: a passion for creating better opportunities for local students, and understanding that education is a multi-generational commitment. Many of today’s teachers were once students in the same communities they now serve.
“Our students are eager to learn. With a space like this and the support of so many partners, we can give them more opportunities to grow and succeed,” shared Mr Đinh Anh Công, Principal of Thanh Lower Secondary School.
Visiting the First Library
The next morning, we hit the road early and made our way to our first stop: Ba Tầng Lower and Secondary School in Lia Commune, home to PD’s first children’s library, established in 2024.
The school was on summer break, so the team met with the librarian and toured the space. We were elated to see that the space was exceptionally well maintained, and delighted to see new additions throughout the library, including an expanded book collection made possible by additional donors.
From the librarian, we learned about the library’s continued impact on students and the school community. Seeing the space thriving reminded us that these libraries are built to last, and made us even more excited for the opening ceremony to come.
Opening the Second Library
We arrived at Thanh Lower and Secondary School at exactly 10 am. Despite temperatures approaching 40°C, everyone was full of energy. Students, teachers, local officials, and community members had gathered to celebrate a milestone many months in the making.
The ceremony opened with a series of student performances, including Mùa Hạ Và Những Chùm Hoa Nắng, Bay Lên Nhé Nụ Cười, and Kiếp Sau Vẫn Là Người Việt Nam, celebrating youth, optimism, and national pride.
Mr Tùng and Jules then spoke about the partnership behind the project, and the importance of creating spaces where children can learn, explore, and grow. On behalf of Pixel Dreams, Jules also presented the special gift we had carried from Hanoi: a collection of original paintings donated by artist friends of Pixel Dreams.
Featuring scenes and people from Northern Vietnam, the artworks were gifted with the hope of bringing warmth to the new library and inspiring students to explore places, stories, and perspectives beyond their own community.
After a thank-you speech from the principal, representatives from the school, local authorities, Pacific Links Foundation, and Pixel Dreams gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Then the students entered the library for the first time.
Their excitement was immediate. They eagerly explored the shelves, opened books, and explored the space they had been anticipating for months. Watching the students discover the library for the first time, it was easy to imagine the library as a place for learning, imagination, and opportunity for years to come.
Planning for the Third Library
Before leaving Quảng Trị, we made one final stop: the proposed site for PD’s third children’s library.
The future library, currently under construction, will be a 96m2 space with dedicated reading areas for students and teachers. As we toured the site with local representatives, we learned more about the project’s specific challenges. Built on sloped terrain, the site requires additional preparation and engineering considerations compared to PD’s previous libraries.
Looking Ahead
By early afternoon, we were back on the road, heading to Huế to reconnect with the rest of the PD team.
Standing inside the unfinished third library only hours after opening the second, and one day after seeing the first thriving, brought the full shape of the initiative into focus. Pixel Dreams’ 100 Libraries goal can sound like a distant horizon, but in Quảng Trị, it felt immediate.
(Recap Video – to be updated)
