Lighting up dreams for underprivileged students

According to education reports, financial hardship continues to be one of the leading reasons preventing students from completing their high school education. In this context, long-term educational support programs serve as a meaningful source of encouragement, helping students stay in school and gradually shape a brighter future.

Dreams no longer left incomplete

Born into a family facing severe financial hardship, with her father having no stable job and the family’s total monthly income amounting to only around VND2–3 million, continuing her education was never easy for Nguyen Thu Trang – UMUM146 (Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi). Growing up without her mother’s care, Trang lived with her father and grandmother. Another hardship came when she was in Grade 11, as her grandmother passed away, leaving the father and daughter to rely solely on each other amid even greater difficulties. With support from the SeADreams Fund since 2018, Trang has gained greater motivation and encouragement on her journey toward achieving her dreams.

Despite these hardships, Trang consistently maintained outstanding academic performance, earning excellent recognition for many consecutive years and consistently a top-performing student. In 2024, she scored 28.8/30 points in the national high-school graduation examination, a result high enough to gain admission to several top-tier universities. With remarkable determination, the young student chose to pursue a degree in Digital Marketing at Trade University through academic transcript and IELTS-based admission, opening up a new path for her future.

“I always remember that I am not alone,” Trang shared after receiving SeADreams’ scholarship for 6 years. In an emotional voice, she said: “The Bank’s support over these years has given me more confidence to move forward. I hope that one day, I can also help others, just as I have been helped.”

For Doan Thi Minh Thao – UMUM03 (Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi), the journey to university began from a less favorable starting point. Her father is a war invalid with poor health and no stable employment, while her mother works as a public green maintenance worker with a low income. Belonging to a near-poor household with unstable earnings, Thao’s education once faced significant financial pressure.

By 2015, Thao’s education became more stable after receiving sponsorship from the SeADreams Fund. Throughout her high school years, she consistently achieved excellent academic results, with a Grade 12 GPA of 9.0/10. Beyond her academic performance, Thao was also recognized by teachers and friends as a friendly and active student. With strong results in the graduation examination, she fulfilled her long-cherished dream by being admitted to the Chemistry program at the University of Science - Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU).

Tran The Khoi – UMUM98 (Kim Chan, Bac Ninh) represents another story of hardship. Born into a farming family with limited financial means, Khoi was diagnosed with leukemia at the end of 2017. Since then, he has undergone treatment at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion while continuing his studies.

Amid prolonged treatment periods, Khoi consistently maintained excellent academic performance from secondary school through high school. He won a provincial second prize in Chemistry, joined his school’s English competition team, and achieved numerous accomplishments in academic competitions as well as extracurricular activities. In his final year of high school, Khoi scored a total of 27.2/30 in Group A subjects in the national high school graduation examination (Mathematics: 9.2/10; Physics: 8.75/10; Chemistry: 9.25/10), earning admission to the Computer Engineering program at the University of Engineering and Technology under VNU. Receiving a start-up scholarship from the SeADreams Fund, Khoi shared: “I feel truly fortunate for the timely support, which has given me greater motivation and confidence to pursue my chosen path.”

Empowering underprivileged students

Three stories, three different circumstances, yet all sharing one common point: when financial hardship is no longer a constant barrier, students are able to pursue and fulfill their educational dreams. Support at certain moments may help them overcome immediate difficulties, but it is long-term companionship over the years that truly ensures these journeys are not interrupted.

This is also the core mission of the SeADreams Educational Promotion Fund, initiated by SeABank in 2015. Every month, the Fund provides scholarships of VND1 million per student (increased to VND1.5 million from 2025) for sponsored students they complete high school. While this approach may not create immediate change, it steadily addresses prolonged financial pressure - one of the key factors forcing many students to leave school.

After more than a decade, the Fund has supported 219 students with total sponsorship amounting to over VND15 billion, of whom 95 have graduated and no longer require support. This number may seem modest compared to the millions of students currently attending school in Vietnam, yet behind each case is a future preserved and a dream carried forward without interruption.

Among those 95 students, 74 have graduated from high school and gone on to university, while others chose vocational training or started their first jobs. What they have in common is the opportunity to choose their own path - something not easily within reach for many underprivileged students. All of them also received a VND10 million start-up scholarship from the SeADreams Fund.

Beyond financial support, SeADreams students are also given opportunities to join trips and activities that help broaden their perspectives and experiences. During an extracurricular program organized by the SeADreams Fund, Dam Thi Yen Nhi – UMUM152 (Cam Le District, Da Nang) had the chance to visit Hanoi capital city for the first time and meet the people who had supported her throughout the years. Deeply moved, the young student shared: “Over the years, you have always stood by and supported us, giving us tremendous motivation to keep striving in our studies. Beyond financial support, it is your care and encouragement that make us feel trusted and loved.”

Nhi has been sponsored by the SeADreams Fund since 2020 due to her disadvantaged background. She comes from a family with three siblings, one of whom requires regular dialysis treatment. Her father lost his ability to work because of severe leg degeneration, while her mother takes on unstable manual jobs to support the family. In such circumstances, continuing her education demanded not only personal effort, but also a level of perseverance far beyond her age. Despite these challenges, Nhi has consistently maintained excellent academic performance over the years.

Sustainability starts with small acts

Over time, the activities of the SeADreams Fund have evolved beyond a standalone charitable initiative to become an integral part of SeABank’s long-term sustainable development strategy. Investing in education is one of the most meaningful and sustainable ways to create lasting value for both individuals and society. It is considered an investment in the future, which is never too late to begin.

Therefore, the SeADreams Fund is being developed with scalability in mind, aiming to expand the number of students supported, maintain graduation rates, and gradually increase the proportion of beneficiaries who continue their education or secure stable employment. While these goals may not be easily measured in the short term, they are expected to create meaningful and lasting impact over time.

Since its establishment, the Fund has received support from more than 5,000 SeABank employees, along with contributions from various partners and organizations such as BRG Group, Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, OPES Insurance, Chu Dau Pottery, Hapro, Tien Phuoc Group, and more. Every contribution has become part of a shared journey to nurture dreams.

Various community initiatives have been organized to raise funds and promote the spirit of sharing, notably the annual race SeABank Run for the Future (SeARun). More than just a sporting event, each step taken in the race contributes to helping underprivileged students continue their education. Through six seasons of SeARun, the SeADreams Fund has awarded nearly 120 sponsorships, totally worth over VND 11 billion to disadvantaged students across the country.

Continuing the journey of nurturing unfinished dreams and further spreading the spirit of “giving lasts forever”, on the celebration of its 32nd anniversary, SeABank is organizing the SeABank Pickleball Championship 2026 to raise charitable funds for scholarships benefiting academically outstanding underprivileged students. Athletes registering for the tournament will also contribute to the Fund through their participation. More than just a sporting event for enthusiasts, the tournament serves as an opportunity for athletes and fans of this increasingly popular sport to come together and jointly contribute, share, and support disadvantaged students in continuing their educational journey.

SeABank Pickleball Championship 2026 will take place on April 11–12, 2026 at US Pickleball (70 An Duong st., Hong Ha, Hanoi) with total prizes worth nearly VND 200 million along with many attractive gifts for participants. 

It is observed that diversifying resources from businesses to the wider community has become a necessary approach to expanding the impact of educational initiatives. These collective efforts help fulfill the dreams of more underprivileged students, while allowing more meaningful stories to be written. Sometimes, that journey begins with the simplest acts - a contribution, a participation, or simply enough care not to overlook.