Blog

Friendship is a force that transcends cultures, languages and borders. Its power to foster understanding, respect and appreciation for diverse communities was seen at SIF Connects! Hanoi that was held on 2 November 2023.  

More than 150 people from 11 countries were at the event, which also celebrated 50 years of ties between Singapore and Vietnam. They were treated to performances, interactive activities, networking and food. ASEAN diplomats, including ambassadors from Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia were present. The guests also included SIF’s programme alumni and partners, Singaporeans based in Hanoi and 40 Fellows from the 2023 ASEAN Youth Fellowship (AYF). 

An exhibition showcased the collaboration between the SIF and the Vietnamese community in more than 100 initiatives in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and across Asia. These include projects in the areas of healthcare, education, the arts and culture, as well as social entrepreneurship.  

Many of the guests also joined the SIF on its journey of inspiring good across the globe. They put their design skills to the test and personalised their very own SIF tote bags, to pledge their support for a better world. 

There were two ‘live’ stations that served laksa and teh-tarik that brought a slice of Singaporean cuisine to the guests.  

A 2023 Fellow from the SIF Arts for Good (A4G) Fellowship trained young talents from the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation to present an energetic hip-hop dance.  

His Excellency Denny Abdi, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Vietnam, said: “Different countries have different capacities. SIF Connects! brings together people from different countries and empowers them to learn from one another, form new perspectives, and work together. This is how we can make the world a better place.” 

Ms Hoang Thai Ly, a lecturer at the University of Industrial Fine Art in Hanoi said: “It has been a year since I joined the SIF’s Arts for Good (A4G) Fellowship in 2022. It was wonderful to see old friends from the Fellowship and make new friends from other SIF programmes.”  

Ms Yen Trinh, General Manager of Karuna Vietnam, a social enterprise that makes sustainable bee-related products, echoed a similar sentiment: “SIF Connects! Hanoi was a great chance to reconnect with other Young Social Entrepreneurs (YSE) alumni and catch up on how they are doing.” 

Ms Yen Trinh, who is also a 2022 Fellow from the ASEAN Youth Fellowship added: “I also had the opportunity to meet new friends who share the same hope for a better world, and to share about my social enterprise with them.”  

Apart from reconnecting and networking, guests took the opportunity to learn more about the social impact made by SIF alumni from the AYF, YSE and SIF’s digital storytelling arm, Our Better World story subjects. They set up booths to showcase their work and products.  

These included Karuna Vietnam; tMonitor which is a social enterprise that aims to improve indoor air quality; MiYork Education which provides research mentorship, competition-based learning, social project mentorship, as well as college admission consultancy for both Vietnamese and overseas universities to students; Mekong Quilts which is a social enterprise that empowers women with economic independence; and Save Vietnam’s Wildlife which is a conservation research organisation.