Scholarship Program
The challenge
Despite Vietnam’s progress in universal primary enrollment, inequalities persist—particularly for students in rural areas, ethnic minorities, and disadvantaged communities. Poverty, poor infrastructure, and limited access to resources significantly hinder educational outcomes (King’s Think Tank, 2025; Borgen Project, 2025). Urban–rural gaps are also stark: students in cities outperform their rural peers by 17.1% in math and 9.7% in reading (Middlebury College, 2022). The poverty–education divide remains deeply entrenched, as education represents one of the most viable paths out of poverty. Yet in many disadvantaged regions, children are forced to drop out early to support their families (UNICEF, 2020). Scholarships therefore serve as a vital bridge—not only easing financial burdens but also offering talented young people the opportunity to stay in school and break the cycle of poverty.
Our Response
Since 2023, GKIA has partnered with Agent Love, a U.S.-based charity, to proudly offer ten annual scholarships of USD $500 each. These scholarships directly alleviate financial barriers, enabling talented young individuals to continue their education, pursue academic goals, and build brighter futures for themselves and their communities across Vietnam.
GKIA, in partnership with the Dak Lak Charity Association, awarded two scholarships of USD 375 each to underprivileged high-achieving students during the 18th ‘Đọt Chuối Non’ [Young Banana Shoot] Scholarship Program in 2024.
Our Impact
Since 2023, through the award of over $15,750 in scholarships, 32 young individuals have been given the opportunity to continue their education, follow their dreams, and build a brighter future for themselves, their families, and their communities. These scholarships are more than financial aid — they are a message of hope, encouragement, and belief in the potential of every child.
References
King’s Think Tank (2025) Addressing education inequality in Vietnam: Barriers and policy suggestions. Available at: https://kingsthinktankspectrum.wordpress.com/2025/03/13/addressing-education-inequality-in-vietnam-barriers-and-policy-suggestions/ (Accessed: 20 August 2025).
Borgen Project (2025) Educational disparities among ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. Available at: https://borgenproject.org/ethnic-minority-groups-in-vietnam/ (Accessed: 20 August 2025).
Middlebury College (2022) Bridging the Gap: Rural Education in Vietnam. Available at: https://www.middlebury.edu/sites/default/files/2022-06/Bridging%20the%20Gap%20-%20%20Rural%20Education%20in%20Vietnam%20%28Proposal%29.pdf (Accessed: 20 August 2025).
UNICEF (2020) Situation Analysis of Children in Viet Nam 2020. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/vietnam/reports/situation-analysis-children-viet-nam-2020 (Accessed: 20 August 2025).
