'Heritage Steps' - a community run to raise funds to preserve Vietnamese craft villages

An Binh Commercial Joint Stock Bank (ABBank) in collaboration with the Vietnam Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Fund (SVF) and the Department of Science and Technology of Hue City launched the community run "Vietnam Heritage Stride 2025".

This is a unique initiative to raise funds to support traditional craft villages, contributing to preserving cultural identity and promoting Vietnam's creative cultural industry.

Steps to raise funds for the community

The “Heritage Steps” race has a profound social meaning when combining sports activities with the goal of raising funds for the community. Accordingly, each valid kilometer of running or walking of the participant will be converted into 10,000 VND, contributing to the Vietnam Heritage Craft Village Development Fund, with a maximum total commitment of 1 billion VND.

The race takes place from August 8 to November 9, 2025 online on the Vrace platform, allowing anyone, anywhere, to participate by running, walking, etc. After only 10 days of launching, the program has reached the milestone of 1 billion VND in fundraising commitment, showing the attraction and strong response from the community.

The offline community run "Heritage Steps" was launched by ABBank at typical heritage sites of the country in the 3 regions of North - Central - South, demonstrating profound cultural significance.

Along with online activities, a series of offline running events in the 3 regions of North - Central - South were also launched by the Organizing Committee, associated with typical heritage sites of the country. Specifically: September 7 at the Cu Chi Tunnels Historical Site (HCMC), September 14 at the Complex of Hue Monuments (Hue City), September 21 at Duong Lam Ancient Village ( Hanoi ). These events not only create a direct sports playground, but also evoke pride, connection and spread the spirit of heritage conservation right in special cultural and historical spaces.

Contribute to preserving heritage craft villages

Every kilometer of running and walking of the participants contributes to supporting the preservation and development of traditional craft villages in Hue City.

Funds collected from contributions through the race will prioritize supporting typical traditional craft villages in Hue City and neighboring areas such as Phuoc Tich Pottery (Phong Dien), Sinh Village Painting (Phu Mau), Thanh Tien Paper Flowers (Phu Vang), Bao La Bamboo and Rattan Weaving (Quang Dien), Zeng Weaving (A Luoi - Nam Dong), My Lam Conical Hats (Phu Vang), Loc Thuy Cajeput Oil (Phu Loc)... These are craft villages that not only preserve cultural and historical values, but also have the potential to commercialize, create jobs and income for local people.

Beneficiary craft villages also need to meet a number of specific criteria such as: artisans/craft households wishing to develop and innovate; products with distinctive cultural identity; ability to expand the market; positive impact on community life; and environmental friendliness.

Spreading the spirit of conservation and sustainable development

The live race in Hue on the morning of September 14 had the participation of more than 100 runners, including leaders of the People's Committee and Departments of Hue City, leaders and staff of ABBank and SVF.

Mr. Pham Duy Hieu - General Director of ABBank said: “The 'Heritage Steps' Run is not only a fundraising activity, but also opens up opportunities for the community to join hands with artisans and craft villages in preserving and developing cultural heritage. ABBank wishes to contribute to helping traditional craft villages adapt to modern trends, improve production capacity and access the market, thereby affirming the value of Vietnamese heritage on the global creative map.”

Mr. Pham Duy Hieu - General Director of ABBank shared at the event

Ms. Tran Thi Thuy Yen - Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Hue City affirmed: "This is a joint effort for Hue City to introduce, promote and develop products of craft villages, startups, science and technology. The project not only helps Hue heritage values ​​to reach the domestic market but also introduce and promote to the world market."

Ms. Nguyen Nha Quyen - SVF Operations Director shared: “The Heritage Footsteps Run is an activity within the framework of the project “Innovation on Heritage, promoting Creative Cultural Industry, developing a sustainable future” with a long-term vision of building Vietnam into a strong creative nation based on cultural heritage, where people are proud of their national identity, thereby contributing to “elevating” heritage through Vietnamese intelligence, innovation and application of technology, digital transformation”.

During the journey of more than 32 years of development, ABBank has always been remembered as a friendly bank, responsible to the community through many social security activities and towards sustainable development.

ABBank, SVF and the Department of Science and Technology of Hue City hope that “Heritage Steps” will become a strong spreading movement, arousing national pride, and at the same time creating a driving force for the development of the creative cultural industry, linking traditional values ​​with sustainable innovation. This is also one of the specific actions within the ESG (Environment - Society - Governance) strategy that ABBank is implementing. In addition to business goals, the bank focuses on harmonious development between community benefits, environmental protection and social responsibility. “Heritage Steps” therefore not only contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage, but also demonstrates ABBank's long-term commitment to promoting sustainable growth, accompanying the community and moving towards a green future.

Bich Dao

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/buoc-chan-di-san-giai-chay-cong-dong-gay-quy-bao-ton-lang-nghe-viet-2445945.html