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Monday, November 3, 2025

Starting from the Heart: Kim Oanh Group’s journey of compassion

The Saigon Times

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For nearly 16 years, the Khoi Su Tu Tam Foundation (Starting from the Heart)—a member of Kim Oanh Group—has stood as a beacon of hope for thousands of disadvantaged individuals across Vietnam. With more than VND400 billion dedicated to social welfare, the foundation has not only provided material support but also restored faith and dignity to countless lives marked by hardship and loss.

A light of hope amid the darkest moments

Few pains in life compare to losing a loved one — and the loss feels even more unbearable when it strikes children who are still discovering the world. For 12-year-old Khoa, tragedy came suddenly: his father, a painter, fell from a scaffold and suffered fatal brain injuries. His mother had left when he was just two, and with his father’s passing, Khoa was left completely alone.

Yet his father’s final act—donating his organs to save seven others—turned despair into legacy. Inspired by that selflessness, Khoa now dreams of becoming a doctor: “I want to save lives, like my dad did,” he says softly.

Khoa is among the first recipients of the “Hoc bong Tu luc vi chinh toi” (Better Me Scholarship), initiated by the Khoi Su Tu Tam Foundation. It is the first program in Vietnam designed exclusively for the children of organ donors, honoring their parents’ noble gift of life. Each child receives VND50 million per year in support, including health care, personal development, and a small monthly savings deposit to prepare for the future until they reach the age of 18. The Foundation plans to expand the program annually, ensuring at least 95% of recipients continue or complete their education.

Programs that embody humanity

Beyond scholarships, the Khoi Su Tu Tam Foundation has launched three major humanitarian initiatives: Cung Lam Cha Me (Growing in Love), Song Chua Lanh (Waves of Healing), and Chap Canh Vuon Xa (Rising Up)—each addressing a different form of vulnerability in society.

Cung Lam Cha Me focuses on children who have lost their families or live in extremely difficult circumstances. The project provides both emotional and financial support to ensure these children are cared for within safe family environments. It currently supports 157 caregivers and 233 orphaned children, offering them opportunities for holistic development. Under the initiative, various activities have also been implemented to foster social connections, build confidence, and nurture essential life skills — such as “Gieo Xuan”, “Giai chay ho da”, “Khoa hoc mua he” and “Chuyen trang non”.

Meanwhile, Song Chua Lanh extends compassion to children battling serious illnesses. Partnering with the Vietnam Children’s Protection Fund, the project has supported over 70 children receiving treatment at major hospitals. The total support has exceeded VND3 billion, helping children with congenital heart disease, cancer, and other life-threatening conditions.

In May 2025, the Foundation collaborated with Cho Ray Hospital to offer free cardiovascular screening for 231 children and breast cancer screening for 215 women over 40. Nine children and three women at high risk received timely medical intervention.

Free health screenings for 231 children and 215 women, May 11, 2025

The third initiative, Chap Canh Vuon Xa, focuses on juvenile rehabilitation. Partnering with Reformatory School No. 4, it helps young people who have violated the law rediscover self-worth through meditation, counseling, and skills workshops. Over 100 adolescents have benefited, learning to rebuild their lives with confidence and empathy.

Extending compassion in times of crisis

Whenever disaster strikes, Kim Oanh Group and the Khoi Su Tu Tam Foundation are among the first to respond. Operating not only locally but also internationally, the Foundation has provided timely support in various crises — from the Covid-19 pandemic, annual storms affecting Central Vietnam, to the devastating Storm Yagi. Beyond national borders, the Foundation extended its compassion to Myanmar following the historic earthquake in April 2025.

Most recently, following Storm Bualoi, the Foundation delivered VND8.5 billion in relief—including cash, supplies, and housing repairs—to affected communities across Quang Tri, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, and Tuyen Quang. Nearly 800 households, 10 schools, and health centers were rebuilt, helping families regain stability after the storm.

Mr. Nguyen Thuan, vice chairman of Kim Oanh Group, visits residents in Ninh Binh affected by Storm Bualoi

Beyond emergency relief, Kim Oanh Group has continuously invested in long-term social programs under its motto: “Live beautifully, live kindly — for yourself and for others.” To date, the group has conducted over 1,000 social welfare programs nationwide, worth more than VND300 billion, including community infrastructure, housing for low-income families, and tributes to war veterans and heroic mothers.

Among the most notable efforts was the Housing for the Poor program, which built 469 new homes in Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Hue, ensuring hundreds of families could settle safely and live with dignity. The foundation also partnered with Thanh Nien Newspaper to build a rural bridge in Ca Mau, directly benefiting over 15,000 residents and improving local transportation networks.

Aiming to expand practical charity knowledge in Vietnam and strengthen partnerships for sustainable development goals, the Foundation connects experts, hospitals, and communities, publishes “Tu thien trong dong chay van hoa xa hoi”, and organizes K-Talk programs.

A legacy of empathy and resilience

Over 16 years, through 1,197 programs across 34 provinces, the Khoi Su Tu Tam Foundation has reached more than 261,000 beneficiaries. Its journey reflects more than charity—it represents a redefinition of philanthropy as a sustainable model of human development, where kindness becomes a driving force for societal progress.

In a world often shadowed by inequality, Kim Oanh Group’s unwavering commitment proves that giving is not only an act of generosity, but a source of renewal — for individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole.

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