Ho Chi Minh City Awards Scholarships to 167 Students Affected by COVID-19

Ho Chi Minh City continues its "protective scholarship" program, supporting students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic for the 2026-2027 academic year. On September 12, the Ho Chi Minh City Children's Council and the Ho Chi Minh City Student Cultural Center held a scholarship award ceremony for the academic year. The program was launched in 2021 during a particularly challenging period for the city, connecting, caring for, and providing support to 300 students. Building on initial assistance, the program has been sustained with a focus on long-term companionship for the students throughout each academic year. In the recently concluded 2025-2026 academic year, the program accompanied 189 students. Among them, 25 students graduated from high school, and 23 have continued their education at the university and college level, studying at 18 different higher education institutions. After five years, many students who once needed support during difficult times have now embarked on a new journey as freshmen. This is a concrete result demonstrating the significance of the program's persistent and long-term companionship. For the 2026-2027 academic year, 7 new students have been added to the program, bringing the total number of students receiving protection to 167, from 122 educational institutions. This year's scholarship awards were conducted in two phases. The first phase, awarded on September 5, 2026, during the opening ceremony, benefited 22 students from 6 educational institutions. The second phase, held on September 12, provided scholarships to 145 students. Through the collective efforts of donors, schools, families, and organizing units, the program continues to aim at providing a long-term foundation for students to maintain their studies, nurture their futures, and gradually mature after losses incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.