Vo Phuc Loc and his father, Vo Van Luom. Photo: Quynh Tran

Loc completed his first year in the Data Science and Statistics program at the University of Science, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, achieving GPAs of 9.46 and 9.44 for his two semesters. His habit of studying from 4 am began in high school, a routine that helped him graduate as valedictorian and gain direct admission to university.

Loc's father, Vo Van Luom, 56 years old, left his hometown of Tien Giang (now Dong Thap) for Ho Chi Minh City in 2019 to work as a factory worker. This move occurred when Loc was in middle school and his older sister was starting college. With limited job opportunities in their hometown, moving to the city was the only way for the family of four to cover living and education expenses. However, a year later, Mr. Luom lost his job due to factory downsizing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

After losing his job, he registered as a ride-hailing driver. Starting a new career in his mid-fifties, Mr. Luom flexibly managed his driving schedule to ensure income while caring for his children. Having worked with Grab for six years, driving on the roads is not just a source of income for him; it also allows his two children to focus on their studies.

Mr. Luom, a Grab driver partner, still makes time to drive his son to university. Photo: Quynh Tran

Joy and concern upon university admission

Throughout his 12 years of diligent study, Loc has been a source of pride for his family. With a passion for data and consistently perfect scores in computer science, the 19-year-old views Data Science and Statistics as the field where he can fully develop his research and discovery skills.

Mr. Luom did not fully grasp the details of his son's major. He consulted acquaintances and researched the industry's prospects online. Seeing his son's enthusiasm, he offered his full support. When Loc moved to Ho Chi Minh City for university, Mr. Luom moved into a 10 square meter rented room with him, located two kilometers from the school. He bought Loc a powerful laptop for data processing, while he himself used a scratched phone. Each day, in addition to driving, the 56-year-old prepared meals and drove his son to and from school.

"I want my son to focus solely on his studies", Mr. Luom stated.

However, concern also accompanied their joy. Tuition fees of 17-18 million dong per semester could increase annually. Living expenses and rent in a major city presented a significant challenge for working-class families.

"Initially, I planned to find a part-time job to help my family, but my father told me to focus on my studies", Loc recalled.

An opportunity arose when Grab launched GrabScholar, a program supporting outstanding students, including children of Grab partners and young talents in the community. The full scholarship category provides financial support for four years of study, along with a monthly living allowance of over 3.45 million dong for 10 months each year, to students with excellent academic records and special circumstances. Seeing his son's achievements, Mr. Luom encouraged Loc to apply. Two weeks later, Loc received notification of his scholarship award.

For the family, the full scholarship felt like a dream come true, easing their financial burden and providing new motivation for both Loc and Mr. Luom.

"It's incredible and makes us happy, but it's also well-deserved given his efforts", Loc's father proudly said.

Loc chatting with classmates after class. Photo: Quynh Tran

Dream of helping his father retire early

Thanks to the scholarship, Loc no longer needs to consider working part-time. He dedicates all his time outside of classes to studying and school activities. He proactively manages his schedule, balancing classes, projects, and in-depth self-study.

Loc achieved excellent scores in all subjects during his first semester. Outside of academics, the student born in 2007 also participates in the "Sinh vien 5 tot" club (5 Good Students club) and the "Green Summer" campaign. Through GrabScholar, Loc also accesses personal development programs and quarterly one-on-one consultations, which help him evaluate his academic progress and enhance skills for future growth.

"My parents always create the best conditions for me to study. This makes me realize their sacrifices, motivating me to study well and seize opportunities for future development", Loc said.

Loc's academic journey is always supported by Mr. Luom. Photo: Quyfnh Tran

Loc's academic journey is always supported by Mr. Luom. Photo: Quyfnh Tran

Loc's academic journey is always supported by Mr. Luom. Photo: Quyfnh Tran

The support from GrabScholar also eased some of Mr. Luom's financial pressure. He reduced his driving hours to care for his children and manage household meals. They save a portion of their money and send some back home as family reserves.

Seeing his father smile more often recently brings Loc joy. He stated that his current goal is to maintain excellent academic performance to meet his family's expectations. In three more years, after graduating, the student hopes his father can enjoy retirement in their hometown after nearly a decade of hard work.

Loc and Mr. Luom discuss various aspects of life. Photo: Quynh Tran

Empowering the pursuit of knowledge

In addition to Loc, Tran Anh Duong, born in 2007, is another student who received a GrabScholar 2025 scholarship. Duong is currently studying Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

Her family, from the Mekong Delta, consists of civil servants. Her move to Hanoi for university significantly increased living and travel expenses. Therefore, the full scholarship helps ease a portion of her family's financial burden, allowing Duong to focus on her studies instead of seeking part-time employment.

Tran Anh Duong, a Data Science and Artificial Intelligence student at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Photo: The Bang

With scholarship support, the new student has more time for in-depth research and increased motivation in her pursuit of knowledge. "The more challenging a subject is, the more I want to understand and study it diligently", Duong said.

She dedicates most of her time to additional studies, research, and reading materials on mathematics and probability. After a few months, subjects that once intimidated Duong became easier. Anh Duong achieved a GPA of 3.55/4 in her first semester. She also participates in scientific research on natural language processing AI at her university. Outside of research, Duong is involved in club activities and a competition for banking solutions.

"Over the past year, I've become more confident, less introverted and shy, and more proactive in communicating, networking, and learning from experts in my field", the student shared.

Anh Duong and her father, Tran Dinh Hai. Photo: The Bang

Tran Dinh Hai, Anh Duong's father, believes GrabScholar has greatly motivated his daughter in her pursuit of knowledge. Coming from an engineering background, Mr. Hai understands this field demands a strong foundation in natural sciences and high academic pressure. He hopes his daughter excels in her studies, accumulating knowledge to pursue a highly competitive career.

"She will set her own specific goals, and her parents will be behind her, providing support", Mr. Hai affirmed.

The value of GrabScholar for students like Duong and Loc extends beyond financial assistance. By alleviating the pressure of tuition and living costs, outstanding students gain more time and autonomy to focus on their studies, research, personal development activities, and career preparation. After graduation, they become talented individuals who can contribute valuable knowledge to the community and society.

Anh Duong looks towards a bright future thanks to GrabScholar support. Photo: The Bang

Entering its second year in Vietnam, GrabScholar continues to offer hundreds of scholarships and educational support to students facing difficulties, while also expanding opportunities to the children of Grab's driver, restaurant, and merchant partners.

Hoai Phuong - Chi Le