Located in Central Vietnam, right on the coast of the South Chinese Sea, Da Nang is a typical example of a fast-expanding city. Lack of opportunities in rural areas and the growing industry in the city attract many newcomers. While cities offer many sustainable development opportunities for both individuals and society, rapid urbanization does create specific social challenges concerning young children's development. The Da Nang city services are working to ensure that the full potential of urban development benefits all citizens, yet urban growth can put pressure on the education system: it can exhaust the capacity of public schools while also introducing urban stresses. Vulnerable children like those from migrating families and children growing up in economically challenged conditions are particularly vulnerable to urban stress factors. VVOB, a nonprofit organization working on education for development, has joined forces with the Da Nang Department of Education and Training (DOET) in the "Communities of practice Inspiring Teaching Innovations in the early Education System in Vietnam" project (CITIES). The project, which is presented in this article, aims to identify and analyze the barriers to learning children experience in the urban context of the Son Tra district. The project also investigates how the education system can adjust its offer and its pedagogical approach to help children cope with the changing urban environment.