SABECO energises 600 small F&B businesses to stave off pandemic harms

The Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, SABECO, and its Bia Saigon today distributed aid support to 600 F&B businesses in Ho Chi Minh City with the total value of VND3 billion ($130,450) after the official launch of the Collecting a Million Stars programme on August 28.

SABECO energises 600 small F&B businesses to stave off pandemic harms

Within less than two weeks, the initiative garnered over 30,000 interactions on social media through the hashtags #Goptrieungoisao, #Dilencungnhau, and @Bia Saigon. The programme has attracted the attention and participation of many artists, musicians, influencers, social media communities, university students, and youth union members across the country who send meaningful and positive messages to frontline forces across the country.

"Vietnam is the home of SABECO and Bia Saigon, and we will always support the country and the Vietnamese people through the most practical ways," said Bennett Neo, general director of SABECO

The Collecting a Million Stars programme aims to rally the community to spread the spirit of “Stronger Together” and encourage one another to remain resilient during this unprecedented time. The programme also honoured Vietnam's National Day on September 2 and supported affected small F&B businesses in Ho Chi Minh City.

The F&B sector has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, as many offer non-essential services and were unable to operate under social distancing. Many micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have suffered huge revenue losses while others had to shut down. This is the time, more than ever, when individuals and small businesses need the community’s help and support, not only to provide strength during this tough time but also to secure the lives of workers who rely on businesses to remain in this big city.

Bennett Neo, general director of the SABECO said, “SABECO has a long history in Vietnam and owns Bia Saigon, a brand that has been loved by generations of Vietnamese people. Vietnam is the home of SABECO and Bia Saigon, and we will always support the country and the Vietnamese people through the most practical ways.”

He added, "Upholding the spirit of 'Stronger Together', we initiated this programme with the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union to specifically support the most affected F&B businesses in Ho Chi Minh City. We hope this support fund, along with the words of encouragement from thousands of people across the nation gathered by the Collecting a Million Stars programme, will provide motivation to these businesses to stay resilient through this difficult period and be prepared to return to their business activities once the city is reopened.”

Ngo Van Cuong, secretary of the Central Committee of the youth union said, “As we brave the fourth wave with many variants, clusters and sources of infection in numerous provinces and cities, not only big companies but also small household businesses are at the risk of bankruptcy. To continue to exist and develop, these small household businesses are deeply in need of support from the community.

The Collecting a Million Stars initiative generated over 30,000 interactions

He shared that this was the idea behind the Collecting a Million Stars programme, which is geared towards adversely affected small household businesses in Ho Chi Minh City.

"We believe that, thanks to the Vietnamese spirit of ‘a handful in times of hunger helps as much as a load when full’, today’s timely assistance will help small household businesses recover and stabilise in the new normal."