Swing for a good cause

The success of the event can be seen in both the number of participants and in the amounts raised to fund scholarships and upgrade school facilities

Each year, as spring wraps up, Vietnam Investment Review and other sponsors embark upon fulfilling their responsibilities for the community via the annual Swing for the Kids charity golf tournament. The event, hosted by VIR under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, is part of our combined efforts to support disadvantaged students across the country.

Since its official launch in 2007, Swing for the Kids has grown to be a noteworthy social sports event, with social significance garnering critical acclaim and approval by the general public as well as becoming a prestigious and familiar rendezvous for kind-hearted amateur golfers from across Vietnam.

Swing for the Kids has been enjoying an avalanche of ever-widening support by the business community, the government, and diplomats that pursues golf as a leisure activity, as well as the local sports community.

The tournament has indeed shaped up to be a playing field as well as an exchange platform for politicians, diplomats, and entrepreneurs across the nation. They partake in the tournament also in order to support poor and talented students in their studies.

Beyond the early expectations of the organising board, the tournament has achieved much success which is reflected in the number of golfers participating, the number of sponsors, and the results gained each year.

The annual event now benefits from wide-reaching support from across the nation

Up to now, the tournament has mobilised an amount of VND15.4 billion ($670,000) and awarded more than 15,000 scholarships to students overcoming difficulties, in addition to repairing and upgrading school facilities in 40 provinces and cities.

The values of Swing for the Kids do not just lie in how much money it earns after each season. In 2018, an astounding 260 golfers participated in the tournament, setting a new record.

The 2018 season also marked a record amount of donations, peaking at VND1.8 billion and awarded to scholarships for underprivileged students as well as supporting renovation of schools and other educational facilities in Vietnam.

Swing for a brighter future

The 13th annual Swing for the Kids 2019 will be held on April 20 at Kings Island Golf Resort in Hanoi’s Son Tay district of Hanoi. VIR’s Editor-in-chief and Head of the Organising Board for Swing for the Kids, Le Trong Minh, shared, “Many other organisations and individuals are contributing to the development of Swing for the Kids behind the scenes. They include CEOs, investors, and golfers making contributions and helping thousands of children continue with their education. The tournament has made them more aware of their responsibilities to the community, while also bringing them pleasure because their business activities can have a humanitarian meaning.”

The Swing for the Kids event offers a chance for young people to continue learning by offering precious scholarships

Kick off the 13th annual Swing for the Kids Over the past 12 years the annual charity golf tournament Swing for the Kids has become a prestigious event for kind-hearted diplomats, businessmen and women ...

Swing for the Kids 2018 officially teed off The 12th annual Swing for the Kids golf tournament has just teed off at Kings Course and Kings’ Island Golf Resort in Son Tay district, ...

Swing for the kids - Swinging with kind hearts The twelfth annual golf charity tournament series Swing for the Kids kicks off in Hanoi in April, hoping to raise in the region of VND1.4 ...

Swing for the Kids: Giving meaning to the game Thanks to VIR’s annual charity golf tournament Swing for the Kids, promising children from disadvantaged circumstances have the opportunity to change their lives for the ...

Alan Young - Former managing director Vinausteel and SSE Steel’s holding company

We first participated in Swing for the Kids as a sponsor in the third year, and are very happy to contribute to helping poor students with their desire for education.

We think that it is a really meaningful event, which has positively impacted many people and encouraged sponsors and golfers to continue supporting the tournament.

It is gratifying that Swing for the Kids provides an opportunity for kids who have the ability but not the means, to be educated. They will be valuable assets for the future of Vietnam.

Nguyen ThI Nga - Chairwoman, BRG Group

For over 10 years, BRG and SeABank have always stood side-by-side in supporting the event, because we also want to contribute towards meaningful charity activities.

Appreciating the good values of the tournament, BRG Group has committed to co-organising the event and are getting more and more involved.

We are willing to put time and effort into supporting and sponsoring the event.

Nguyen Van Hao - Former general secretary Vietnam Golf Association

As the one who sparked the idea for Swing for the Kids, I still feel the same happiness while children continue to be the focus of the golfers as well as tournament organisers.

Charity golf events are very popular around the world, but many focus solely on professional golf activities. Vietnam can be a leader in effectively and practically supporting the community through golf.

The event highlights higher professionalism, and holds influence over the society, as we can see with more and more golfers and sponsors taking part. Swing for the Kids is also a bridge connecting domestic and foreign investors.

Kim Yong Seok - Planning director Samsung Vietnam

The Swing for the Kids charity golf tournament is our way of showing appreciation and support to the young generation as well as providing them with helpful tools which would enable potential young talent to thrive in their careers.

Being able to commute to rural areas and handing over gifts to disadvantaged children and youngsters in remote areas is truly one of the most rewarding experiences, urging me to keep returning to the programme and maintain our sponsorship status at the event.

Nguyen Huong Lan - Manager of Corporate Academic Development KinderWorld Education Group

We find it crucial to support young yet underprivileged children who come from struggling families but desire to pursue their ambitions after graduation, thanks to the Swing for the Kids golf tournament.

Throughout our sponsorship duration, we have met numerous students who nearly had to skip education altogether to assist their families but were admitted to high-ranking universities and colleges, reassuring the stability of their postgraduate career path as well as allowing them to better enhance their personal development.

Thomas Chapelle - CEO, Golf Plus 18 Academy

It’s a wonderful and generous event, a special day when people can contribute to support kids in need.

I’m very glad to support and join the sponsor teams for this special event because I feel that the purpose of the tournament is an excellent initiative.

This is the first year I am joining the sponsor team and I hope to continue through the years.

Le Anh Minh - CEO, Interimm

I heard about Swing for the Kids via the media and was very interested in the tournament. This was also why I and my company decided to join as a sponsor.

We have never sponsored any other similar venture, but VIR’s reputation and the tournament’s meaning have urged us to do it.

We will continue with Swing for the Kids in the next few years and try to sponsor more.

Pham Thi Mai Thu - Former employee, Haiphong Shipchandler JSC

I am a loyal member of Swing for the Kids and I have never missed a season. I usually invite my friends to show support for the event with me.

I think that the tournament is professionally held and it is a realistic event for everyone who wishes to donate to charity.

I will take part in the event for as long as it continues. I had a nice memory last year when I won a small prize. This has encouraged me a lot and I hope that next time, I can have this luck again.

Nguyen Hoa - Hanoi

I was made aware of Swing for the Kids through some personal relationships and the media.

I think that this golf tournament has a beautiful humanitarian meaning and it connects participants with the mutual goal of supporting poor children so that they can go to school.

I have taken part a few times and I will keep doing so when I have the chance.

Nguyen Song Giang - Quang Ninh province

Golf has been my passion for 10 years and I am a member of Quang Ninh golf club. My club also joins some charity tournaments, but there are not many like this.

I have eyed Swing for the Kids for a long time via the media and have now taken part twice. But my excitement and desire to win remains high.