Vietnam's First Border Boarding School Inaugurated with Major Petrovietnam Support

The Petrovietnam-Phong Thổ boarding primary and secondary school, Lai Chau province's first in a border area, has officially opened its doors for the 2026-2027 academic year, coinciding with the nationwide "All People Bring Children to School Day." This inauguration is part of a national initiative to build boarding schools in border communes. The project, which commenced on August 19, 2025, boasts a total investment of VND 280 billion (approximately $11 million). Petrovietnam, Vietnam's state-owned oil and gas giant, is the primary sponsor, contributing VND 245 billion (approximately $9.6 million). The remaining funds were sourced from the local budget and social contributions for land clearance and utility relocation. Spanning approximately 6.15 hectares, the school features a total construction area of about 27,098 square meters. It includes 30 classrooms, 16 specialized subject rooms, an administrative building, a library, student dormitories, a dining hall, a cultural activity area, a multi-purpose gymnasium, a swimming pool, and teacher housing, along with supporting infrastructure. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the school has enrolled 1,050 students, comprising 490 primary and 560 secondary students. Of these, 860 will be boarders and 190 will be day students. Petrovietnam has also pledged to sponsor a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) classroom, equipping students from ethnic minority groups with access to modern scientific and technological knowledge. The inauguration ceremony was graced by representatives from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, leaders of Lai Chau Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee, along with executives from Petrovietnam, faculty, parents, and students. Petrovietnam consistently emphasizes social responsibility as a key pillar of its sustainable development strategy, beyond its core business of energy production and national energy security. Between 2020 and 2025, the company allocated a record VND 5.13 trillion (approximately $200 million) to social welfare programs, including initiatives like "Eliminating Temporary and Leaky Houses" and "Disaster and Flood Recovery." The Petrovietnam STEM Innovation Education program has established over 100 STEM classrooms nationwide, with three already handed over in Lai Chau province earlier in 2026. In Lai Chau province specifically, Petrovietnam and its subsidiaries have implemented various practical programs, including educational facility construction at Nung Nang Primary and Secondary School, Ta Ngao Ethnic Boarding Secondary School, and the administrative building of Pa U Ethnic Boarding Secondary School. They have also provided support for natural disaster recovery and distributed Tet holiday gifts to impoverished households and border guards. This new boarding school in the border region is expected not only to address the educational and residential needs of students in remote areas and enhance the quality of education but also to contribute to socio-economic development and strengthen national defense and security in the border region. It serves as a testament to Petrovietnam's commitment to social responsibility and its dedication to supporting the people of remote and border areas, embodying the core values of Petrovietnam's corporate culture: Compassion - Aspiration - Wisdom - Professionalism.