FPT chief bets on school for Covid orphans in Vietnam

In Vietnam, FPT Group’s chairman, Binh, decided to build a school in Da Nang to care for approximately 1,000 children orphaned by the Covid-19 pandemic.

After learning about the rising number of orphans in September 2021, Binh proposed the school to his sister, Thanh, FPT’s CSR director, despite initial skepticism about concentrating so much trauma in one place.

While some suggested simply providing financial aid, Binh believed a boarding school modeled after his own wartime experience would foster community and resilience among the children. Despite opposition from experts who favored family-based care and a lack of prior experience in social welfare, Binh moved forward with the project within 24 hours, committing VND80 billion ($3.07 million) annually for 20 years. The plan faced public debate, with concerns raised about the potential negative impacts of institutional care on child development.

The school, named HOPE, eventually opened in February 2022, but faced challenges recruiting students. Many families, wary of scams, were hesitant to send their children to a school over 1,000 kilometers away. Hoang Quoc Quyen, the school’s director, spent months traveling from house to house, building trust and addressing concerns. Students like Thanh Trong, who lost his mother to Covid, initially doubted the offer but ultimately enrolled, seeking a future beyond the limitations of his rural village.

As of this year, 18% of HOPE’s 363 students have gone on to higher education.