Dedicated to nourishing communities, Acecook Vietnam has made significant strides in bringing joy and enriching experiences to disadvantaged children from across the country. Through the Happy Tour program, the company has transformed a simple factory visit into an unforgettable adventure for them.
A tour of hope
For the first time, children from remote villages left their familiar landscapes to visit Acecook Vietnam’s headquarters and factory in Tan Binh Industrial Park in HCMC in June, 2024. The Happy Tour ignited laughter and hope in the hearts of these 40 disadvantaged children, giving them the opportunity to explore a new world and dream big.
In partnership with the National Fund for Vietnamese Children (NFVC), the program is part of Acecook Vietnam’s Happy Noodles project, a six-year initiative that has already provided VND15 billion in meals and educational support to over 50,000 Vietnamese children.
The Happy Tour embodies Acecook Vietnam’s unwavering commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), empowering children to believe in their potential and inspiring them to strive for a brighter future. During the tour, the children learned about the company’s history, discovered the modern noodle production process, and enjoyed a fun-filled day exploring the city’s life.
Nguyen Thi Phuong, 14, from the Thuong Nong Ethnic Minority Semi-Boarding Primary and Secondary School in the northern province of Tuyen Quang, was filled with excitement as she described her journey. “This trip has been an incredible adventure, and I’m so grateful for the chance to experience it,” Phuong said.
Luong Thi Thuy, a 14-year-old girl from the Social Work and Protection Center of Yen Bai Province, also in northern Vietnam, found herself captivated by the automated machinery in the Acecook Vietnam factory. She said, “I hope I can visit a factory like this with my friends one day.”
Fourteen-year-old Truong Thi Thao Nguyen, from the Social Protection Center in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, shared her newfound aspirations, “This experience has filled me with so much joy. It makes me want to study harder and do well in life, so I can give back and help other children in my hometown who are struggling.”
Each child on the tour carried a unique story and unspoken tales. Among them, children from the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau, some facing disabilities that left them unable to speak, embraced the Happy Tour with open arms. Their eyes danced with joy as they shared warm gestures and smiles. Alongside their new friends, they donned their finest clothes and showed their talent in a vibrant celebration. These simple pleasures, often taken for granted, meant a lot to these children, whose lives had been marked by hardship.
Riding on the success of its inaugural 2023 program, this year’s Happy Tour welcomed another 40 children, many of whom were experiencing air travel and a big city for the first time. The genuine warmth and heartfelt interactions with Acecook Vietnam’s staff not only boosted the children’s confidence but also left a lasting impact on their journey. In total, the Happy Tour initiative has now benefited nearly 100 children across Vietnam.
For many, the Happy Tour was a watershed moment, a brief but profound glimpse beyond their rural villages. Though fleeting, the journey left a mark on their hearts. Returning to their hometowns, they carried with them a spark of newfound ambition and the conviction that a brighter future could be forged through determination and hard work.
An active CSR practitioner
The Happy Noodles program not only provides nutritious meals and extends a helping hand through essential supplies, but also is an example of how CSR can make a real difference in locals’ lives. More importantly, Acecook Vietnam’s efforts extend far beyond the program, weaving a tapestry of compassion and support throughout the country.
In 2020, the business donated VND15 billion to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in HCMC for medical equipment to combat Covid-19 and provided nearly 1,500 gifts to those in need. The company also donated VND5 billion and hundreds of presents to support communities in the Mekong Delta affected by saltwater intrusion.
Acecook Vietnam also provided 4,000 packs of noodles to flood-hit areas in central Vietnam and partnered with the Office of the State President to donate 9,200 gifts worth nearly VND1 billion to frontline workers and those affected by Covid-19. In 2021, Acecook supported the fight against the pandemic by donating three negative pressure air filtration systems worth VND2 billion to Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital in HCMC and providing 20,000 packs of noodles to hospitals, quarantine zones, and those in need.
Nguyen Thi Hien, NFVC deputy director, stressed the strength of the partnership between the organization and Acecook Vietnam. “Our collaboration has encompassed numerous initiatives, including the Happy House project. Through these programs, we are able to reach countless disadvantaged children across Vietnam, providing them with essential care, support, and opportunities for education and development.”
Moreover, Acecook Vietnam’s dedication to social good is also evident in its Happy Smile project, a collaboration with the Vietnam National Drama Theater. This activity brings happiness to remote communities through theatrical performances and charitable activities. Last March, the inaugural Happy Smile event took place in the northern province of Lang Son, with Acecook Vietnam providing border guards and local communities over 1,500 nutritional gifts and 200 packs of noodles. The Vietnam National Drama Theater then brought smiles to over 1,000 locals with their well-prepared performances.
The Happy Smile project also visited the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau, where it delivered two performances and distributed over 1,500 gifts to local residents. Over 700 people attended the first performance in Lai Chau City, while the following night brought laughter and nourishment to an audience of over 800 in Phong Tho District.
The company has also encouraged a healthy lifestyle through sports participation, notably serving as the main sponsor of the Vietnamese national football team. In pursuit of sustainable development goals, Acecook Vietnam has implemented advanced waste treatment, energy-saving solutions, and environmentally friendly production practices to create products that are both healthy and sustainable.
“Acecook’s core values center on the ‘3 Hs’: Happy Consumers, Happy Employees, and Happy Society. The Happy Noodles and Happy Tour programs are a testament to Acecook Vietnam’s commitment to fostering social good and nurturing future generations,” said Kaneda Hiroki, general director of Acecook Vietnam.
A path forward
Acecook Vietnam’s CSR activities are not merely philanthropic gestures; they are a reflection of the company’s core values. This commitment has been recognized with four awards in the annual Saigon Times CSR program from 2019 to 2023.
Through diverse initiatives, from the broad-range Happy programs to their swift response to natural disasters, Acecook Vietnam has made a tangible difference in countless lives.
The company’s efforts have underscored the importance of CSR in building a more equitable society. It is a call to embrace community actions not as an obligation, but as an opportunity to create a legacy of compassion, empowerment, and sustainable development.
By planting seeds of hope, nurturing ambition, and empowering people to believe in themselves, Acecook Vietnam has delivered a strong message that even a small act of kindness can bring lasting change, transforming lives and building a brighter future.
