On September 5, the Vietnam Agriculture & Environment Newspaper, in cooperation with GrowMax Group, awarded 80 scholarships to disadvantaged but determined students across Can Tho City, helping them step into the new school year with confidence.

Representatives of GrowMax Group and Nguyen Ngoc Thang – Head of the Mekong Delta Bureau of the Vietnam Agriculture & Environment Newspaper – presented 10 scholarships to students of Boi Thanh Bilingual Private Secondary School. Photo: Kim Anh

Specifically, the program granted 80 GrowMax scholarships, each worth 1 million VND, to students at several schools: Thanh Quoi 2 Primary School (Gia Hoa Commune); Nguyen Khuyen High School; Boi Thanh Bilingual Private Secondary School and Lac Hoa 1 Primary School (Vinh Chau Ward); Ngoc To High School (Ngoc To Commune); Hoa Tu 2 Secondary School (Hoa Tu Commune); and Gia Hoa 1 Secondary School (Nhu Gia Commune).

While the scholarships may not be high in monetary value, they carry immense spiritual significance. They reduce the burden of school expenses and, more importantly, encourage students to continue their educational journey with resilience.

At Boi Thanh Bilingual Private Secondary School, which has more than 1,400 students, most of whom are from ethnic Hoa families with difficult circumstances, the support was particularly meaningful.

Principal La Hong Huong shared: “Every year, the school waives or reduces tuition and provides free lunches for poor students from surrounding communes. The total annual support exceeds 400 million VND, but we remain committed to maintaining this policy. We also call for support from benefactors to ensure no child is left behind.”

For four consecutive years, GrowMax scholarships have supported Boi Thanh students in overcoming challenges and striving in their studies. Photo: Kim Anh

However, the school still faces a severe lack of infrastructure. It currently has 33 classes but only 24 classrooms. For the past three years, it has had to repurpose functional rooms, teachers’ housing, and even borrow land from nearby pagodas to erect temporary classrooms. In preschool, 9 classes with 250 students are crammed into just 500m², with poor ventilation, little natural light, and no playground.

Thanks to community contributions and the support of benefactors, the school has gradually been renovated and upgraded. By the end of 2025, a new, permanent, and safer school building is expected to be completed.

“The Children Are Not Alone on Their Journey”

Nguyen Ngoc Thang, Head of the Mekong Delta Bureau of the Vietnam Agriculture & Environment Newspaper, emphasized: “These scholarships are not only financial support but also a message of care and encouragement: ‘You are not alone on your way to school.’”

Each GrowMax scholarship strengthens the bond between businesses, the press, schools, and society in supporting education and nurturing the dreams of the younger generation.

Since 2022, GrowMax Group, in partnership with the Vietnam Agriculture & Environment Newspaper, has operated the GrowMax Scholarship Fund, valued at 8 billion VND, to support disadvantaged students nationwide. The fund is planned for 2022–2026. In 2025 alone, around 87 schools in the Mekong Delta are set to receive scholarships totaling 750 million VND.

Nguyen Ngoc Thang added that he hopes to work alongside GrowMax to further spread the spirit of connection between enterprises, the media, schools, and society in supporting education. Photo: Kim Anh

Some highlights from the September 5 scholarship ceremonies in Can Tho City:

• At Thanh Quoi 2 Primary School (Gia Hoa Commune): 10 scholarships were awarded. Photo: Kim Anh

• At Nguyen Khuyen High School (Vinh Chau Ward): 10 scholarships were presented. Photo: Kim Anh

• At Ngoc To High School (Ngoc To Commune): GrowMax presented 15 million VND, equivalent to 15 scholarships. Photo: Kim Anh