Helping Students in Vietnam See What's Possible

In Quang Tri Province, a rural region in central Vietnam, many students go through school unable to see the blackboard clearly.  Eye exams are hard to access, and glasses, if they can get them, are often the wrong prescription.

In 2024, that started to change. Through the Shinhan Square Bridge Vietnam initiative, more than 1,400 middle schoolers received vision screenings right at school. Over 200 were given glasses that matched their actual needs.

The initiative, led by the Shinhan Financial Group Hope Foundation and co-organized by United Way Worldwide and MSD United Way Vietnam, has fostered a collaborative community, united by a shared commitment to addressing social challenges through innovation.

The project brought together local schools, hospitals, government agencies, and Korean startup LabSD, Inc., which provided portable eye exam technology using AR/VR tools that allow individuals to self-administer vision screenings. Two teachers received training to recognize common vision issues and use eye charts for follow-up support.  

At our school, students rarely have access to proper eye care. This was a great opportunity!

“At our school, students rarely have access to proper eye care,” said Pham Huu Huyen, Vice Headmaster,  Chu Van An Secondary School . “This was a great opportunity! Many children received refraction services for the first time. I hope this becomes a sustainable solution so students can thrive in the classroom.”

“We learned a lot by working directly with teachers and local partners,” said Ha Phuong, Country Director of LabSD, Inc. “This project proved that you don’t need a high-tech clinic to make a real difference. With the right tools and training, communities can take care of their own.”

When children are healthy, they’re better prepared to learn.  Shinhan Square Bridge Vietnam is proof that when we work together to support both health and education, everyone has the opportunity to thrive.