VietHope has emerged as a revolutionary force in Vietnam’s educational landscape, providing essential

support to underprivileged students since its founding in 2002. By merging economic scholarships with skill-building initiatives, the nonprofit addresses both immediate fiscal barriers and long-term developmental needs.

### Origins and Purpose https://viethope.com.vn/

Created in 2002 by Vietnamese diaspora students at Harvard University, VietHope worked to address institutional academic inequities in Vietnam. The group’s goal—to enable economically challenged students through opportunities to schooling—arises from acknowledgement that financial hardship remains the chief barrier to educational continuation.

### Programs and Influence

1. Higher education Scholarship Program (USP):

– Offers $300 to $400 annually

– Recipients are required to show academic merit (minimum GPA of 3.0)

– Gradual funding framework incentivizes educational persistence

2. Merit Development Program (Merit Program):

– Provides 150 dollars annual bursaries

– Contains professional training and professional counseling

Outcomes:

– Postsecondary degree attainment: 91% vs. 74% countrywide

– Science/Technology participation: 68% vs. 42% nationwide