Initiated by Singapore's UOB Bank, the annual UOB Heartbeat sports event attracts 370 people to participate in the challenge and raise funds for Vietnamese children.

Participants of the 2023 UOB Global Heartbeat Run/Walk in Vietnam to raise funds for local disadvantaged children. Photo: Hoang Yen

More than 370 participants ran, walked and cycled more than 4,000 kilometers in the Vietnam Virtual Challenge. Meanwhile, the offline event attracted 2,000 participants who participated in either a three-kilometer run/walk, five-kilometer run or ten-kilometer run in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City.

For every kilometer completed, UOB Vietnam will donate VND20,000 or approximately US$1, to the UOB Heartbeat Fund in Vietnam.

This brings the total amount raised to VND530 million ($22,000) to help disadvantaged children and promote digital education in the southern Mekong Delta region.

The main local beneficiary, Saigon Children's Charity CIO, will use the funds to equip a much-needed computer lab for 450 students at Tri Ton Primary School in An Giang Province. This is part of a five-year project by UOB in partnership with Saigon Children's Charity to provide a total of five computer rooms for schools in the Mekong Delta region.

The UOB Global Heartbeat Run/Walk is an annual flagship volunteering and fundraising event held by UOB in 18 countries around the world.

Victor Ngo, CEO of UOB Vietnam, presents a cheque for the funds raised from the UOB Heartbeat Run/Walk to Vuong Ngoc Vy Van, Head of Fundraising and Communications of Saigon Children's Charity CIO at the sporting event in HCMC. Photo: Hoang Yen

The funds raised are donated to charities around the world to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and vulnerable communities.

Since 2007, the UOB Global Heartbeat Run/Walk has raised more than 20 million Singapore dollars to improve the lives of communities in need, with a focus on the arts, children and education.

This year, the 17th edition of the program takes place in six countries and territories, including Singapore, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Victor Ngo, CEO of UOB Vietnam, shared that digital education can be a powerful tool to support the community and open up a brighter future for Vietnamese students.

"The efforts we make today will give a generation of children the skills they need to succeed in their education and future employment," he said.