A COMPANY CAN ONLY SUCCEED IN A SOCIETY THAT IS DOING WELL
Working closely to support the communities surrounding our plants and offices has always been important to us at Jacobi. And it's the people - those who make up these communities and know what's really needed - who make it happen.
Thanh Huynh is the Warehouse Manager at our factory in Vinh Long Province, 80 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He also serves as Chairman of the Jacobi Vietnam Trade Union. In addition to his role at Jacobi’s Trade Union organisation, Thanh has been asked to oversee the CSR team's social activities in the region.
“I think this task came to me gradually,” says Thanh. “Initially, I participated in charity programmes as a small donor, supporting people in need, and my boss asked me to get involved in some projects. Those were the first steps that led me to today’s engagement.”
Personal experiences of hardship are a driving force
“Perhaps it was my personal experiences that motivated me to participate in social activities,” reflects Thanh. “I still remember clearly the year 2012, when I had just graduated from university. My family's circumstances at that time were challenging. The company I worked for learned about this, and the leaders came to my house to give gifts and to help and encourage my family. I still remember those feelings and memories; they truly helped my family overcome our difficulties and motivated me to strive in my work and life,” Thanh recalls.
“Having experienced hardship myself, I understand those who are facing challenges in life. I feel very fortunate to be working in a company that values community activities.”
A wide range of programmes help the local community
In Vietnam, Jacobi focuses on implementing community support activities, particularly targeting families under challenging circumstances. Programmes include the construction of social infrastructure, such as bridges and rural roads, the provision of medical equipment for older people, and educational activities, such as awarding scholarships to underprivileged, hardworking students.
Name: Thanh Huynh
Job role: Warehouse Manager and Chairman of the Jacobi Vietnam Trade Union
Location: Vinh Long Province, Vietnam
Hobby: Cycling
Family: His wife, Thuy Duong, and two daughters, Anh Thu and Chi Anh
Passion: Community engagement
Thanh with his wife Thuy Duong and two daughters, Anh Thu and Chi Anh.
“The support helps people overcome difficult times. Community programmes contribute to improving people's lives, and it shows our spirit of solidarity and partnership with the local community,” Thanh says.
Thanh explains that much of the community work takes place during regular working hours, including preparation, contacting people, and discussing solutions, while some tasks are better carried out outside those hours.
“Events like bridge inaugurations or scholarship award ceremonies, we usually do on the weekend. The locations are sometimes far away, and local people often express their gratitude by inviting us to lunch, which makes the event longer; therefore, these activities are more suitable for weekends.”
“Having experienced hardship myself, I understand those who are facing challenges in life. I feel very fortunate to be working in a company that values community activities.”
Providing safe water for the community
Over the years, Thanh has seen the increasing effects of climate change, and he says Vietnam is among the countries most severely affected. One of the most noticeable impacts is saltwater intrusion, which is affected by rising sea levels, droughts, and storms, and the problem has increased, impacting people's lives, crops, and livestock.
“Many localities face withered crops and stagnant production. People must purchase fresh water from other areas and transport it back for use throughout the dry season, and this situation repeats annually,” says Thanh. “In 2024 and 2025, we collaborated with local authorities to provide water storage tanks to households in affected areas. A total of 100 households received freshwater storage equipment, enabling them to be more self-sufficient during peak periods of saline intrusion.
However, this is only a short-term solution. In the long term, the fight against climate change requires joint efforts to protect the environment and the future for generations to come.”
A joyful moment presenting gifts to children at An Thoi Kindergarten – on the occasion of Mid-Autumn Festival 2025.
Charity houses built for those who are in urgent needs
Another activity that Jacobi maintains annually is the programme to build ‘charity houses’ for families in challenging circumstances. The primary beneficiaries are underprivileged households, older adults living alone, or those suffering from terminal illnesses who are forced to live in makeshift, dilapidated houses that are at risk of collapsing when the rainy season arrives.
In a Charity House Donation Programme, Thanh and his team work closely with local authorities to review cases and actual needs, manage the financial support process, and monitor construction progress before handing over the completed house.
“Understanding the insecurity they face every day, we have supported the construction of solid houses for these families. Over the past two years, four charity houses have been completed, which have been gifted to four families in the aforementioned special circumstances,” says Thanh. “Each house is not only a shelter from the rain and sun, but also a source of spiritual encouragement, helping them gain more confidence and stability to continue striving in life.”
“It’s a great feeling to receive all the heartfelt gratitude from the families and individuals and see the hope in their eyes, hope for a better future.”
The response from people is motivating for continuing our efforts
When asked how it feels to support the community, Thanh notes that Jacobi’s support comes at a time when people are struggling, and many share that they really needed it, which motivates him to maintain his commitment to solidarity with the local community.
“It’s a great feeling to receive all the heartfelt gratitude from the families and individuals that we support, but the most precious thing we felt was the happiness and hope in their eyes, hope for a better future,” says Thanh.
“We have a team of about six people who discuss, collaborate and develop social programmes together. Making the right choices, we can genuinely create positive and lasting impact for the community.”
A team effort with different areas of responsibility
At our site in Vietnam, we have a team of about six people who discuss, collaborate and develop social programmes together. All members' ideas and suggestions are listened to, recorded, and carefully evaluated before being implemented at the appropriate time.
“When choosing specific activities to pursue, we need to rely on certain criteria. First, identify the real needs, which issues are urgent, and what significant changes would result from our support. Next, we consider the company's capabilities and resources, including time, expertise, and finances. Finally, we must focus not only on providing immediate assistance but also on creating opportunities for the future of those we support. By combining these factors, we can genuinely create a positive and lasting impact on the community.”
Helping others helps you grow as a person
Thanh means his experiences and work help him appreciate what he has. He describes his family as “a small, very cheerful and happy family” with two daughters, aged ten and eight. His wife runs a ladies' hairdressing salon from home and supports Thanh in his community engagement.
“I am fortunate to have a job close to home, so every day I can be with my children and watch them grow up. What I love most is cycling with my family. For my two daughters, each bike ride is an exciting experience. For me, cycling is not just a sport, but also a precious time to bring the family closer together and enjoy simple yet meaningful things,” Thanh concludes.
Thank you for speaking with us, Thanh. We are proud of the work you and your team are doing for your community and wish you all the best for the future. Seeing everything we do for our local communities inspires us all, and we will continue to support your commitment.
You can read more about our various sustainability projects here: jacobi.net/sustainability-journey