Hanoi (VNS/VNA) -A Vietnamese architect has been named as one of the most influential womenin the world by the BBC.

Chu Kim Duc joined the list ofthe top 100 women of the year for her efforts to build playgrounds forchildren all across Vietnam.

She said the recognitionfrom the British public service broadcaster was a remarkable milestone.

“It’s such a surprise, but Ialso feel honoured and happy,” she said.

This year, the list highlightswomen who are leading change and making a difference during these turbulenttimes.

“When they found I'd be namedon the BBC list, some friends said to me: ‘Oh, it’s such a difficult job for awoman’,” she added.

“But I don’t think there’sanything women can’t do. It's just that sometimes we limit ourselves to whatpeople and society say we can do. I hope through this recognition by the BBC,people will understand that a child’s right to play is really importantand it’s something we really need to invest in,” Duc said.

Her social enterprise, ThinkPlaygrounds, was established in 2014. The organisation has built more than 180free playgrounds for children in inner city areas.

“When we first started, thereweren’t many free playgrounds in Hanoi,” she said.

“It was very difficult to finda free public playground, one that had proper equipment and was completely freefor children.

“After doing some research wefound out this would have a very bad effect on children’s development.

“Children need time to play bythemselves. Only during free time do they express what they want and need,physically and mentally.”

Duc felt children living in thecity needed a place where they could shape their characters by doingphysical activity and communicating with others.

She added: “Besides theknowledge they gain at school, children really need a space to play. It is achild’s right to play.

“I hope that Vietnam will soonnotice this right that children deserve to have.”

The group always encourages thecommunity to get involved in designing and preparing playgrounds for children.

“Our thinking is thata playground is a public place so it should involve localpeople,” she said.

“If people aren't part ofbuilding the playgrounds, the connection between a public place and localpeople is lost.”

They work with local authorities and parentsto design the playgrounds which are suitable with the area.

“We always try to create a story for eachplayground. That story is based on the area’s culture.

“In Ngoc Ha, we designed a playground withthe concept of a pond with frogs because the area has many ponds. Peoplehere also have a tradition of working on farms and planting flowers.

“Most of the materials that we use for ourplaygrounds are recycled and natural materials such as wood and tyres.

“We think these materials have a betterimpact on children’s senses rather than plastic or iron which are too flat.

“Those materials can provide explorativeinspiration for children.”

The group sometimes hold an event called“Playday” which is a place for children to play and immerse themselves innature.

Duc said: “Our first Playday was held in2014. It was so fresh and new that it attracted many parents and children.

“The design of the event wasunprecedented, and children couldn’t find anything similar to those thatalready existed in inner city areas.

“Through the event, we understood thatchildren in the city seriously lack a place to play.”

Think Playgrounds expect that more and moreplaygrounds will be built in city areas, making life better and people happier.

“We will try to renovate our designs tobe able to create more creative playgrounds for children.” Duc said./.