On the morning of September 5, many underprivileged students joyfully received scholarships from GrowMax and the Vietnam Agriculture & Environment Newspaper, giving them greater confidence as they began a new academic year.
As the school drum echoed across the country to mark the start of the year, several schoolyards in Vinh Long became even more special with the arrival of timely GrowMax scholarships for disadvantaged but hardworking students.
The program “Scholarships for Underprivileged Students”, jointly implemented by GrowMax Group and the Vietnam Agriculture & Environment Newspaper, has been steadfastly maintained for many years. Each back-to-school season, the journey continues quietly yet meaningfully, offering opportunities for learning and inspiring faith in a brighter future.
At Vinh Long, the program awarded 65 scholarships to disadvantaged students.
Photo: Minh Đảm
Each scholarship, valued at 1 million VND, may not seem large, but for many rural families, it can mean a new set of books, a pair of shoes, or simply one less evening of worrying about tuition. This gesture of support instills in the children a belief that they are not alone on their educational journey.
Tan Hao Commune (Vinh Long Province) was one of this year’s destinations. The area is remote, with livelihoods tied mainly to coconut farming and small-scale jobs such as husking and weaving coconut fiber. With unstable incomes, ensuring that children stay in school is always a burden.
Ahead of the new school year, GrowMax and the Vietnam Agriculture & Environment Newspaper awarded 10 scholarships to particularly disadvantaged students at Phong Dien Primary School. These children face especially challenging circumstances: some live with grandparents after their parents divorced, with no one else to care for them.
At Phong Dien Primary School (Tan Hao Commune), Nguyen Khac Huan – GrowMax’s Regional Representative, together with Nguyen Ngoc Truong – distributor of Truong Nhu aquafeed, presented the scholarships to the students.
Photo: Minh Đảm
Principal Phan Van Cuoi shared: “Our school currently has around 70 students from poor and near-poor households. Beyond the 10 scholarships from GrowMax, the local People’s Committee also mobilized donors to provide 500 notebooks to 50 students, helping them better prepare for the new school year.”
Not only in Tan Hao, GrowMax scholarships also extended to familiar areas across Vinh Long such as Ba Tri, Vinh Kim, Long Huu, Hoa Minh, and Truong Long Hoa. Each stop left behind a story of resilience — of children overcoming hardships to keep their dreams alive.
Many of the recipients are children of farmers or migrant workers, from families in debt after failed crops, or relying on old bicycles to get to school. Yet, when their names were called in front of their peers, their eyes lit up, replacing feelings of inferiority with determination. The scholarships thus become more than financial support — they are words of encouragement: “Keep moving forward.”
Among them was Tran Thi Ngoc Thi, a 4th grader at Vinh Kim A Primary School (Vinh Kim Commune), from a near-poor family. Her father is a fisherman, and her mother weaves baskets at home, both struggling with unstable income.
Thi shared that her family meals mostly consist of fish they raise themselves, with little meat. Receiving the scholarship, she wished to buy new clothes for herself and her sister, and add meat to the family meals.
“I am very happy to receive this scholarship because my parents will have money to buy clothes for me and my sister, and to buy food. I promise to study hard to make my parents proud and to be useful to my family in the future,” Thi said emotionally.
Tran Thi Ngoc Thi (far right) emotionally receives her scholarship. Photo: Ho Thao
For years, the partnership between GrowMax and the Vietnam Agriculture & Environment Newspaper has remained steady and quiet. Without noise or show, their goal is simply to ensure that each gift reaches the right place, the right person, at the right time.
Nguyen Dang Hai, Business Director of GrowMax Group, noted: “GrowMax is a Vietnamese enterprise. Although we were established only five years ago and are striving to grow in the aquafeed industry, we always wish to share with underprivileged yet diligent students. Each year, the Chairman and more than 400 experts, scientists, skilled engineers, and staff contribute around 8 billion VND to support disadvantaged students nationwide. We hope this act of kindness will spread the spirit of solidarity, empowering children to stay in school and inspiring more businesses to join hands with the community.”
Below are some images from the September 5 scholarship ceremony of the “Scholarships for Underprivileged Students” program organized by GrowMax Group and the Vietnam Agriculture & Environment Newspaper in Vinh Long Province:
At Nguyen Dinh Chieu Primary School (Ba Tri Commune), Doan Ngoc Hoang Minh – distributor of Minh Nhi aquafeed, awarded scholarships to 5 students.
Hoa Minh Primary School (Hoa Minh Commune): 10 scholarships were awarded, including one for Pham Tiet Khanh, an orphan facing severe hardship.
At Vinh Kim A Primary School, Nguyen Dang Hai – Business Director of GrowMax Group (second from left), presented 10 scholarships to disadvantaged students.
My Hoa A Primary School (Cau Ngang Commune): 10 students joyfully received their scholarships on opening day.
Long Huu B Primary School (Truong Long Hoa Ward): 10 students were awarded scholarships with excitement.
Nguyen Dang Secondary School (Truong Long Hoa Ward): 10 students were supported with scholarships to continue their education.
