Nguyen Huy Can, Chair of the HCM City Study Encouragement Association, said that the 1-and-1 talent scholarship program has positively contributed to training human resources for society. 

“1 and 1” means one benefactor sponsors one student throughout their university education.

The scholarship's significance itself is compelling – granting under the 1-and-1 mode. The great efforts to overcome difficulties to mature and the success of the students obtaining scholarships can touch people's hearts. Hence, the 1-and-1 scholarship has been applauded by compassionate people.

"The 1-and-1 scholarship passes on the benevolence from those who have passed away. Though the benefactors can no longer accompany students on their path, they still can stay together with the students in another way. Their family members continue to grant scholarships to students as the deceased people wished, thus sowing seeds of hope and nurturing students’ dreams,” Can said.

Many benefactors who join the 1-and-1 scholarship are from overseas. They grant scholarships to fund students’ study because they admire the resilience and strong will to overcome difficulties and feel happy about students’ achievements.

Over the last 20 years, the entities like JX Mekong company and the Lawrence S. Ting Community Assistance Fund have loyally partnered with the 1-and-1 scholarship program. Their support shows that in addition to the love for students, businesses and social organizations also take their social responsibility by contributing to nurturing human resources for the country development.

According to Can, the 1-and-1 scholarships contain deep affection from many individuals, and the elderly who save every dong to create every scholarship.

“There are many families where both parents and children contribute to scholarships. In the context of economic difficulties, the contributions by businesses and institutions have decreased, many friendship groups have connected to expand the support."

The group of Do Thi Giang and Tran Vu Anh Thu, for example, consists of over 50 members involved in the support program for many years. As such, the scholarship distribution has shifted from "1-and-1" to "1-and-many" and even "many-and-1”.

There are many unnamed benefactors who have been accompanying the program. Some of them keep a close watch over students’ conditions and praise their efforts. They invite students from poor families to visit their homes during Tet days or on holidays. The family of Dr Pham Xuan Hung and the group of friends headed by Nguyen Thi An are the examples.

Many benefactors grant valuable scholarships of VND 5, 6, 7, 10, or even VND12 million VND annually, such as the families of Nguyen Hoai Giang, Nguyen Thi Cuc, Le Ngoc Ty, and group of friends of Nguyen Khac Mai.

Particularly, Le Ngoc Ty’s family has accompanied the scholarship program since 2022. Though Ty has passed away, his wife and descendants continue to follow the program, providing scholarships to over 20 students.

The 1-and-1 scholarship program also bears the close bond from alumni who once received scholarships and now return to offer the same support to younger students as "successors."

As the predecessor of the 300-500 master's degree and doctorate holder program of the Party Committee, belonging to the group of Dong Hoa, 30 individuals have granted 45 scholarships.

The ‘scholarship from the heart’

According to Ho Phu Bac, with to the 1-and-1 scholarships, or the ‘scholarships from the heart’, thousands of students have received support for over 20 years.

The first five students receiving 1-and-1 scholarships sponsored by five benefactors in 1999-2000 are all shining examples of the strong will to overcome difficulties and succeed in their lives for the younger generation to follow.

As many as 2,789 students have received support from 670 individuals and 53 businesses and organizations. The total amount of money granted to students has reached VND27,825,050,000.

In 2024 alone, 84 students graduated from universities, including four with excellent status and 10 with distinction. As many as 2,273 students have graduated from university, including 106 graduates majoring in finance and banking, and 72 in IT.

Many students overcame difficulties and studied hard and have grown up and become doctors, teachers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and key officials in the city, districts, wards, and communes. Of these, 3 have doctorate holders, 75 are master’s degree holders, and 2 have been voted by the city as outstanding young citizens and outstanding young teachers of the city.

In 2024, 77 students received the 1-and-1 scholarships for the first time, including nine students from poor families. 

Thuy Nga