HCM CITY — ABBANK, in collaboration with the Startup Vietnam Foundation and the Huế Department of Science and Technology, has officially launched the community run “Vietnam Heritage Stride 2025” to raise funds to preserve traditional craft villages.

For every valid kilometer run or walked by participants, ABBANK will contribute VNĐ10,000 to the Fund for Development of Việt Nam’s Heritage Craft Villages, with a maximum commitment of VNĐ1 billion (US$37,877).

The event takes place online from August 8 to November 9, 2025, via the Vrace platform, enabling anyone, anywhere, to participate by running, walking, or cycling. Remarkably, within just 10 days of launching, the programme hit its VNĐ1 billion fundraising target, reflecting strong community engagement.

In addition to the virtual race, a series of offline events were held nationwide at iconic heritage sites.

Funds raised will primarily support exemplary traditional craft villages in Huế and nearby areas. These villages not only safeguard cultural and historical values but also hold strong potential for commercialisation, job creation, and income generation.

Beneficiary villages must meet criteria such as having artisans or households committed to innovation and development, producing culturally distinctive products, demonstrating market expansion potential, contributing positively to community livelihoods, and ensuring environmental sustainability.

Phạm Duy Hiếu, CEO of ABBANK, said: “‘Vietnam Heritage Stride’ is not just a fundraising event but an opportunity for the community to stand alongside artisans and craft villages in preserving and developing cultural heritage. ABBANK aims to help traditional villages adapt to modern trends, strengthen production capacity, and access broader markets, thereby affirming the value of Vietnamese heritage on the global creativity map.”

Trần Thị Thùy Yên, deputy director of the Huế Department of Science and Technology, said that the project enables Huế to promote craft village products, startups, and science and technology, helping local heritage reach both domestic and international markets. — VNS