# Things To Do, Vietnam Travel Stories

Abandoned Long Phuoc Kindergarten – Australian veteran contribution

The Long Phuoc Kindergarten was built as an act of healing of the war that passed many years ago. Contributed by AVVRG (Australia Vietnam Volunteer Resource Group), the kindergarten helped a lot of Vietnamese children for a few years before being abandoned.

Abandoned Long Phuoc Kindergarten's location

Abandoned Long Phuoc Kindergarten was built in Phong Phu Hamlet, Long Phuoc, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province. This area used to be the Luscombe Airfield, which was right next to the base of the Australian army in the Vietnam War.

The place was proposed and built by AVVRG, in an attempt to heal the war and help local children.

Building Process

2002: First built & the delay

The original Long Phuoc Kindergarten project was situated a few hundred meters north of Nui Dat Hill. The project was proposed and carried out by the AVVRG, with funding from the Australian Consul General, International Environmental Construction Co Ltd, Long Tan Memorial Committee, BHP Steel Lysaght Vietnam, and the Australian Business Group Vietnam. The land was provided by the Baria People’s Committee, and construction began in early 2002.

The first stage of the kindergarten was opened on 24/06/2002, by the Australian Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City, Dr. Stephen Hennigham. However, at this stage, the original name of the place is Phong Phu Nui Dat Kindergarten.

2005 to 2010: Refurbishment & extension

The original Long Phuoc Kindergarten building did not fully meet the needed requirements for a kindergarten and closed down in 2005.

In 2008, the AVVRG NSW Nui Dat Team, led by chairman Kerry Phelan, started a project to refurbish and expand the kindergarten. Work on the refurbishment and extension began in February 2010.

In June 2010, Long Phuoc Kindergarten was completed within budget and time.

19/10/2010: Official opening

The official opening of Long Phuoc Kindergarten was held on Tuesday, 19/10/2010. The Australian Consul-General to Ho Chi Minh City, Graeme Swift, re-commissioned the kindergarten.

According to AVVRG’s report, the whole funding for this project was 77,015 USD (or 114,914 AUD or nearly 2 billion VND)

Abandoned in 2015 - 2018

In the period of 2015 to 2018, there were new kindergartens built by the Vietnamese government. Therefore, all of the children moved to the new facilities, leaving the original Long Phuoc Kindergarten behind.

Without being in use, or maintenance, the place became abandoned and rusted over time.

Nowadays, people can still visit the place. However, it is mostly visited by tourists who do the Battle of Long Tan Tour.