When a culture of charity becomes the foundation for internal cohesion

In the course of development and international integration, many companies are adopting sustainable development centered on Environmental – Social – Governance (ESG) standards as a long-term strategic direction. Among these, internal charity funds, driven by direct contributions and active employee participation, are emerging as a notable trend in corporate culture management. When individuals are given the opportunity to contribute and take action, social responsibility goes beyond a communication message to become a practical experience.

When social responsibility becomes a shared driving force

As the “Social” factor is increasingly approached by businesses in a more long-term and in-depth manner, building internal charity programs is becoming a growing trend. Within each organization, employees are not only recipients of corporate culture but also active contributors to create social values. When participation is voluntary and sustained over time, community initiatives not only create external impacts but also become an integral part of the organization’s cultural governance, strengthening internal cohesion and a shared sense of commitment.

For many companies, charitable activities are often carried out through separate campaigns. At SeABank, however, the community journey begins from a different foundation: internal corporate culture. It is where the spirit of sharing and giving is not only driven by leadership decisions but is consistently nurtured by employees who shape the Bank’s identity.

To translate these human-centered values into tangible actions, SeABank has implemented a range of annual social initiatives. In 2025, the annual Spring of Love program continued to be carried out across multiple localities on the occasion of the Lunar New Year. During these journeys, SeABankers not only bring gifts, scholarships, and medical support, but also dedicate time to engage, listen, and accompany those in difficult circumstances. “When I wear the SeABank uniform for volunteer activities, I truly feel a strong sense of pride in my workplace,” shared Ms. Khuong Minh Trang from SeABank’s Head Office after the early-year volunteer trip.

At SeABank, charitable activities have become an integral part of employees’ spiritual life, helping them build deeper connections with both the community and their colleagues. The series of volunteer activities during the Citizens’ Week is a typical example of this spirit. As part of the program, the Bank allocated nearly VND 1 billion across the system. This funding was used for a wide range of practical initiatives, including supporting recovery in the aftermath of natural disasters, providing essential goods to those in need, and organizing charitable programs across provinces and cities nationwide.

The spirit of giving among SeABankers is also vividly reflected in the Warm Blankets for Winter program. As early winter winds sweep across Northern Vietnam, thousands of blankets and warm clothes are delivered directly to the homeless. On many evenings, volunteer teams encounter individuals huddled on worn mats, wrapped in thin raincoats, taking shelter on the steps of closed shops or beneath cold, poorly lit bridges. As blankets are placed into their hands, the grateful eyes, gentle smiles, and firm handshakes often leave SeABankers deeply moved. In those moments, not only do the recipients feel the warmth, but the givers themselves also gain a deeper understanding of compassion. Amid the early winter chill, warmth sometimes comes from the simplest yet most heartfelt acts of kindness.

Besides community support activities, SeABankers actively participate in environmental protection initiatives. A notable example is the Ocean Cleanup campaign, in which hundreds of SeABankers across various provinces and cities simultaneously make joint efforts to collect waste, clean up beaches, and raise awareness about environmental protection. In 2025 alone, the program was implemented across 11 beaches nationwide, collaborating with local authorities to install public waste bins and distribute eco-friendly biodegradable bags, thereby promoting a greener lifestyle within the community. 

Currently, SeABank maintains four internal charity funds with distinct orientations and purposes, reflecting different focus areas of social responsibility. The Dream Nurturing Scholarship Fund (SeADreams) focuses on educational promotion for underprivileged students through long-term scholarship-granting programs. The SeAGreen Fund is aimed at advancing environmental protection and green development initiatives. From a community support perspective, the One Day One Smile Charity Fund (SeASmile) stands out as a highly impactful initiative, delivering various programs to support the poor, underprivileged patients, and vulnerable groups in the society. The SeALove Welfare & Protection Fund carries a strong sense of internal connection, focusing on providing timely support to employees and customers facing unexpected hardships. 

Not only targeting external communities, SeABank’s internal charity funds also serve as a safety net for employees during hardships. When natural disasters and floods occurred in various localities, the funds promptly provided assistance to affected employees, helping them regain stability in life and peace of mind upon returning to work. In the past year alone, VND 372 million was allocated to support employees affected by natural disasters and floods, reflecting the spirit of sharing and solidarity among the SeABank community.

These funds’ resources come not only from the Bank’s budget but also from the voluntary contributions of thousands of employees. This direct participation has created an internally driven ecosystem of charity, where social responsibility is not limited to strategic commitments but is translated into concrete actions in corporate life.

From an organizational culture management perspective, maintaining internal charity funds also contributes to fostering a humane, cohesive, and motivating work environment, where each employee has the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities beyond their professional responsibilities.

A decade driven by internal strength

One of the signature programs that clearly reflects SeABank’s culture of charity is SeABankers for the Children. Initiated in 2015 by the Bank’s employees, the program has now entered its 10th year, leaving a lasting and meaningful impact.

After a decade, SeABanker volunteer teams have delivered more than 10,000 gift sets, provided educational support to over 5,000 children, and contributed to the construction, renovation, or equipping of more than 30 schools in remote and disadvantaged areas. However, what makes the program truly special is not the numbers, but the way it has been sustained.

The entire funding of more than VND 4.5 billion for SeABankers for the Children comes from the voluntary contributions of over 5,400 employees. Each individual contribution, when combined, forms a significant resource to sustain a decade-long journey.
In recent years, the program has been refreshed with the initiative Cooking for Children – Zero-cost Buffet. Under this initiative, SeABankers directly prepare meals for students in mountainous areas. For many participants, sharing a simple meal with the children becomes the most unforgettable moment of the journey. This shift from “giving” to “accompanying” demonstrates how SeABank deepens its social impact while strengthening a culture of sharing within the organization.

SeABankers for the Children was honored in Top 3 Outstanding Banks for the Community at Bank Awards 2025. After a decade, the program proves that charitable initiatives built from internal strength not only create social impact but also foster stronger engagement, enhance a sense of responsibility, and reinforce corporate culture.

Fostering engagement and nurturing pride

The key difference of SeABank’s internal charity culture lies in their sustainability. Activities are not carried out in isolation but are maintained consistently, aligned with each development stage of the Bank. With every journey, this spirit of giving gradually becomes a bond connecting SeABankers, regardless of their position or department.

Simple moments such as preparing meals together, handing out gifts, or witnessing a school facility being completed have become shared memories that nurture pride in the workplace. From there, the culture of giving not only extends to the community but also feeds back into strengthening internal resilience, enhancing the sustainable connection between people and the organization in the long run.

When each employee feels a sense of belonging to meaningful values, a sense of pride and belonging naturally emerges and is sustained over time, forming a cultural foundation that helps SeABank maintain internal stability and reinforce its long-term development strategy.