Nearly 300 autistic children in Ho Chi Minh City joined a friendly festival, the first of its kind, on June 3.

They competed in swimming, racing, tug of war, joined in wax modeling and sand painting, and had a chance to exchange with junior singers and magicians.

Autistic children exchange with MC Thanh Bach. Source: congan.com.vn

The event was co-hosted by the Vietnam Autism Network and the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs’ Centre for Rehabilitation and Support for Disabled Children.

According to the World Health Organisation, for every 160 people in the world, one person has autism.

The number of children with autism in Vietnam is increasing at an alarming rate. It has been estimated that there are 160,000 people with autism living in the country.

The early detection of autism is urgent and crucial to provide children with effective intervention opportunities, helping them integrate into society.

Source: VNA