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Opening ceremonies for the new school year 2020-2021 were held in many different forms in various locales due to the influence of COVID-19.

There were virtual events in some localities hit by the pandemic, while in other places, this year’s new academic year opening ceremonies were held briefly by local schools, after they have fully prepared all safety measures, such as measuring body temperature, washing hands and wearing masks, in order to welcome students to schools.

Many Party and State leaders joined teachers and students nationwide to officially kick off the new school year.

Nhan Dan Newspaper correspondents across the country captured the special moments as the new special academic year began amid COVID-19.

Politburo member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue (C) joins teachers and students at Giang Vo Secondary School in their new school year opening ceremony on September 5, 2020.

A special flag raising ceremony at the opening ceremony of the 2020-2021 school year at Xa Dan High School, Hanoi, as students who cannot hear or speak normally sang the national anthem in sign language. The school is one of the few specialised ones in the capital city that host students with disabilities.

Disease preventative measures are carried out to ensure the safety of both students and teachers attending new school year opening ceremonies.

Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha attends the new school year opening ceremony at Dan Phuong Primary School in Dan Phuong District, Hanoi.

Gifts and helmets from the Ban Ve Hydropower Company were presented to disadvantaged students at the Huu Khuong Primary School, Huu Khuong Commune, Tuong Duong District, Nghe An Province on the occasion of the new school year opening.

Students from the Bat Mot Ethnic Secondary Boarding School in Thuong Xuan District, Thanh Hoa Province on the opening day of the new school year.

Students at the No Trang Long Ethnic Boarding School, Dak Lak Province, wear face masks during the opening ceremony of the new school year.

Students in remote Cu Pui commune, Krong Bong District, Dak Lak Province wear face masks in their class.

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh beat the drum to mark the new school year at Le Quy Don High School in Ho Chi Minh City.

Leaders from Bac Lieu Province present helmets to first graders at Kim Dong Primary School in Bac Lieu City – the province’s capital.

Students in the southernmost province of Ca Mau were brought to schools by boat to kick-start their 2020-2021 new school year on September 5, 2020.

Students at Nguyen Van Troi Primary School in Ca Mau City disinfecting their hands before attending the new school year opening ceremony.