Japan’s casual wear brand builds school for mountain children in central Vietnam

The project focused on the Phuoc Cong 2 satellite campus of Phuoc Chanh Kindergarten, serving mostly Gie Trieng ethnic children.

Built in 2013, the campus had deteriorated severely, posing safety risks and lacking facilities for semi-boarding meals.

UNIQLO, the flagship casual wear brand of Japan’s Fast Retailing Group, and the Hope Foundation funded the construction of three new classrooms, two teacher rooms, and a kitchen, enabling safer learning spaces and reducing travel burdens for families.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Tran Chi Cuong, chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee, highlighted the importance of the project, saying that Phuoc Chanh is a mountainous commune often affected by natural disasters.

He said the project not only improves education quality but also helps bridge the gap between rural and urban areas.

Since entering Vietnam in 2019, the Japanese company has partnered with the Hope Foundation on community projects aimed at improving learning conditions for children in underserved areas.

From 2024 to now, the company has built or upgraded seven schools and one bathing facility across provinces and cities including Son La, Lao Cai, Quang Tri, Da Nang, and Cao Bang.

Akiyama Naoki, general director of UNIQLO Vietnam, told Tuoi Tre News that the company is committed to improving education in disadvantaged areas.

“We are delighted that the Phuoc Cong 2 campus is now complete, providing a stable foundation for teaching and learning," he said.

“This project reflects UNIQLO’s long-term commitment to sustainable development in Vietnam."

Alongside the school inauguration, the brand donated 3,000 clothing items through its RE.UNIQLO program to local families in Phuoc Chanh.

To date, the Japanese fashion retailer has distributed 54,000 items to thousands of households across Vietnam.