River Ơi: Sustainable Human Development

Building on the journeys of Nhà Chống Lũ (Flood-Resilient Housing) and Hạnh Phúc Xanh (Green Happiness), Sống Community is opening a new chapter in sustainable human development through the River Ơi programme. Beyond responding to climate change, River Ơi seeks to encourage innovation and creativity and connect resources, particularly knowledge, art, technology, and culture.

The name River Ơi brings together an international outlook and Vietnamese identity. “River” reflects the fact that rivers and climate change are not concerns unique to Vietnam. “Ơi” is a familiar, affectionate, and heartfelt Vietnamese call, carrying the cultural character of the region where the programme's idea originated. This meeting of local identity and contemporary expression also shapes how River Ơi approaches each community, locality, and activity. River Ơi carries forward Sống Foundation's philosophy of “Water”: quietly persistent, gentle yet strong, able to spread, join forces, and remain in motion. From small drops, flows emerge, joining into rivers and streams before reaching the ocean—a precious source of life for all living things.

In this spirit, River Ơi will bring together the values, models, and lessons accumulated over more than a decade of community development programmes in books, documents, research, films, and other forms of documentation. Together, they will form a stream of knowledge, allowing community experience to extend beyond a single project or locality and continue to be shared, applied, and disseminated nationally, regionally, and internationally. Within this flow, River Ơi uses art as a means of inspiring and connecting people. Through artworks, exhibitions, performances, and artist residencies, it aims to bring community voices closer to the wider public, help preserve cultural identity, open up dialogue from multiple perspectives, and make creativity a driver of sustainable development.

River Ơi introduced itself to the community through the annual art exhibition Dòng sông nội tại (Inner River), where art offers more than an aesthetic experience: it connects, prompts reflection, and spreads inspiration. The exhibition also marks the beginning of a journey to bring art into everyday life, express community voices, and create lasting value for the present and the future. Alongside art, River Ơi promotes educational activities, providing resources and opportunities for students at risk of dropping out in the Mekong Delta to remain in school, continue learning, and develop holistically through the Tay Cộng Tay – Hands-on scholarship programme.

Join Sống Community – River Ơi in its upcoming activities on a journey towards sustainable human development through knowledge, art, and education.