KOCHAM Charity Night in Ho Chi Minh City raises $1.2mn for Vietnam’s social causes

The annual event took place on Thursday evening at the Hotel Nikko Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City.

This year, KOCHAM collected VND31.4 billion ($1.2 million) from South Korean enterprises nationwide.

At the event, VND2.25 billion ($85,350) was immediately delivered to children receiving treatment at Children’s Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, the Korean Senior Citizens Association in Vietnam, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and Tay Ninh.

The remaining funds will support welfare programs including assistance for patients with critical illnesses, scholarships for disadvantaged students, construction of charitable housing, Lunar New Year support for poor households, and relief for communities affected by natural disasters in central Vietnam.

Acting South Korean Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Kwon Tae Han said global economic restructuring, political instability, climate change, and technological competition have made business operations increasingly difficult.

In this context, he said cooperation between Vietnamese and South Korean businesses is essential for shared resilience and success.

He noted that the two business communities have built strong ties in manufacturing, electronics, consumer goods, logistics, and startups.

"Throughout its operations in Vietnam, KOCHAM has consistently placed corporate social responsibility at the heart of its mission,” he added.

The 21st charity night reaffirmed this commitment and demonstrated the deep involvement of South Korean companies in supporting communities and helping build a more humane and sustainable society in Vietnam.

KOCHAM chairman Kim Nyoun Ho said the charity night has become a hallmark event for the South Korean business community over more than two decades.

Tens of billions of Vietnamese dong have been dedicated to helping underprivileged children, supporting young patients in need of treatment, aiding hardworking students, assisting disaster-affected communities, and improving living conditions for vulnerable groups.

In 2024, the program raised nearly VND13 billion ($493,000).

Deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City administration Nguyen Manh Cuong praised the program’s humanitarian value, saying the city appreciates the partnership of the business community, especially South Korean enterprises.

He said the city will continue improving its investment environment to help businesses operate efficiently and sustainably.

Established in 2003, KOCHAM now serves as an important bridge for Vietnam-South Korea economic cooperation, representing nearly 1,000 member companies and more than 5,000 South Korean businesses in central and southern Vietnam.