Collecting Million Stars programme to spread positive spirit across Vietnam

The Collecting Million Stars programme will support the most affected small F&B businesses in Ho Chi Minh City

Bennett Neo, general director of SABECO said at the virtual event to officially launch the Collecting Million Stars social activity that, "We are currently facing a truly challenging period with COVID- 19 affecting us, our families and everyone across the country. In addition to the immediate and grave health concerns, we are seeing increasing difficulties and stresses everywhere in our communities in many cities and provinces. The pandemic has also tremendously affected the operations of countless businesses, large and small, across the country.”

Neo added “As our National Day approaches in the midst of unprecedented historical circumstances, this all the more emphasizes the importance of national values.

“SABECO, a company with long-standing history in Vietnam, owns Bia Saigon, a brand loved by generations of Vietnamese. Vietnam is home to SABECO and Bia Saigon. When Vietnam encounters difficulties and challenges, Bia Saigon is prepared to work together to support the country and our people through the most practical means,” he said.

Organised by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) and SABECO and its Bia Saigon, the Collecting Million Stars programme will support the most affected small food and beverage (F&B) businesses in Ho Chi Minh City which have limited financial resources.

The programme encourage frontline workers fighting the pandemic and those affected across the country

Ngo Van Cuong, Secretary of the HCYU Central Committee added that, “Many industries have suffered heavy losses. With the fourth wave of the pandemic featuring multiple strains, outbreaks, and many sources of infection across provinces and cities, not only large enterprises but also lots of small businesses are facing the risk of bankruptcy. To continue and develop, small businesses are in dire need of help from the community.”

The programme provides an opportunity for participants to express their creativity through daily activities such as cooking, makeup, home decor, drawing, painting, photography or any way to represents a star, as well as inviting their friends to participate and share their stars on social media with encouraging messages to frontline workers who are working with the extra effort to fight the pandemic and those who are affected across the country.

For the first 300,000 public post on social media that features the star image and the hashtags #GopTrieuNgoiSao #DiLenCungNhau and tag Bia Saigon Fanpage, SABECO and its Bia Saigon will contribute VND10,000 (43 US cents).

Inspired by the five-pointed star of the Vietnamese flag, the programme encourages and inspires innovative ideas from all Vietnamese

Venus Teoh, deputy general director for marketing explained that inspired by the five-pointed star – a symbol from the Vietnamese flag – Collecting Million Stars encourages and inspires innovative ideas from all Vietnamese residents, including artists, influencers, social communities, students, and youth union members.

Colleting A Million Stars is a part of Sabeco's Stronger Together campaign, and aims to spread the positive spirit of Stronger Together with the hope to rally everyone to unite and remain resilient during this unprecedented period. Through this programme, SABECO and its members hope to develop a meaningful activity to commemorate the National Day.

Xuan Bac, a well-known artist, said at the virtual event, “I highly appreciate this meaningful programme because the pandemic has hit enterprises large and small in all sectors. SABECO's support for vulnerable businesses is an exemplary showing of the Vietnamese spirit of 'The good leaves protecting the worn-out leaves'."

Recently, SABECO launched its community care programme, supporting healthcare frontliners with a total of $435,000 worth of medical equipment and essentials. Additionally, SABECO and its Bia Saigon have launched a series of initiatives to support the country in overcoming this challenge and stay “Stronger Together”.

On August 26 , Bia Saigon hosted an online launching event for its campaign to spread the positive spirit of "Stronger Together" and introduce the limited edition "Vietnam Star" Bia Saigon Lager Can created in collaboration with Bia Saigon and a remarkable young artist named Cau Be Tho (Nguyen Ngoc Vu).

Elements of the “Vietnam Star" design on Bia Saigon Lager can were inspired by Dong Ho folk art and close-ups of everyday imagery in Vietnam. This is Cau Be Tho’s expression of a vibrant nation uniting and going through changes together. The country's cultural heritages are woven together in the pentagram to evoke the nation's unity and the spirit of hope.

Bia Saigon has also collaborated with young emerging Vietnamese fashion brand Icon Denim to launch a limited fashion collection, inspired by the Vietnam Star design, which includes T-shirts, jacket, caps, and tote bags. This is a collaboration of two local Vietnamese brands to spread positivity and encouragement.