VNG cultivates sustainable values for community via technological innovation

UpRace, powered by VNG, emerged as the first model in Vietnam that integrates three social components: a technological platform, a running movement, and philanthropic endeavors. Photo courtesy of VNG

The application encompasses a virtual running platform and the largest community running event since its establishment in 2017.

Participants enjoy the flexibility of running at their convenience, recording their progress via mobile devices like smartphones or smartwatches.

The main objective revolves around amassing as much running distance as possible throughout the event’s duration.

Each kilometer recorded during the UpRace period prompts VNG and partnering sponsors to commit a minimum donation of VND1,000 towards community organizations.

Originating as an internal running event at VNG in 2017, UpRace has evolved into Vietnam's largest community running initiative, attracting more than 620,000 participants from Vietnam and 50 other countries.

By 2023, the project has achieved a remarkable milestone, clocking in nearly 7 million kilometers, equivalent to VND7 billion. The Dream Maker Foundation (DMF), established by VNG, has contributed over VND4.5 billion to support three community partners.

The substantial funds generated through UpRace have been instrumental in supporting diverse charitable causes.

These endeavors include ensuring safe childbirth for newborns through Newborns Vietnam, providing transformative cleft lip and palate surgeries for children via Operation Smile Vietnam, fostering Vietnam's greenery through urban tree projects with GreenViet, supporting livelihoods and restoring vision through cataract surgeries for the underprivileged and orphaned via the Association for the Support of the Disabled and Orphans in Vietnam, granting scholarships to underprivileged youth through Vietseeds, extending aid to remote highland and island areas via Vu A Dinh, and many other impactful charitable projects.

Over the past six years, VNG has developed connections with and among more than 1,400 businesses and 100 sponsors, fostering partnerships with seven esteemed community organizations.

This communal initiative orchestrates a harmonious convergence of interests among these three stakeholders: For business, it is to leverage the platform to champion corporate culture and enhance their brand image through CSR initiatives; for runners, it is to find fulfillment in pursuing their passion while being motivated by meaningful goals; and for community organizations, it is to seize the opportunity to forge deeper community ties, garner support, and align mutual values with the charity.

Le Hong Minh, founder and CEO of VNG and UpRace’s representative, said that UpRace is not solely an event or competition. Instead, VNG expects UpRace to be a project owned by the community, running enthusiasts, and those who want to spread humanistic values in society.

The running platform has proven to be an effective model for corporations to address two significant challenges: enhancing employee cohesion and carrying out community-oriented activities.

The running movement has emerged as a new trend for fostering team-building activities, promoting team spirit, and advocating corporate culture.

Leading by example, the VNG running team has ranked at the top of the UpRace Corporate Leaderboard for four consecutive years.

In the latest UpRace cycle, the event has engaged nearly 7,800 members, recording nearly 350,000 kilometers from eight VNG offices in Vietnam and around the world. Photo courtesy of VNG

In response to Uprace’s call to action, many corporations have established their own running clubs, such as Viettel Run Club, FPT Run Club, and VPIron (VP Bank)...

They have also organized their own virtual internal running events through the UpRace platform.

This approach allows employees to engage in enduring sports while actively participating in their company's community activities. It creates a win-win situation where employees can improve their physical fitness and contribute to their company's social impact.

In 2022, VNG introduced UpRace x UNI, a series of running events in collaboration with five universities nationwide. In 2023, the project expanded to involve 11 universities, attracting nearly 27,000 students who collectively contributed 1 million kilometers, doubling the growth compared to 2022.

Developed based on the technology DNA, UpRace has redefined traditional running events by transcending geographical, temporal, and logistical barriers, eliminating constraints in route planning, traffic management, administration, and costs.

Through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), the app monitors 100,000–200,000 daily athlete activities, detecting anomalies and issuing fraud alerts to ensure fairness and integrity within the platform.

Kelly Wong, Vice President of Game Entertainment at VNG, said that with these efforts, they have been honored with the Inspirational Brand Award at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards 2023 (APEA 2023), held in the Asia Pacific region.

"We measure the success of our company based on the positive impact that VNG's products create. As a leading technology company in Vietnam, VNG will continue to invest in research and products," she added.

UpRace also organized UpRace Day, a centralized running event in Hanoi and HCMC, attracting thousands of participants, including professional athletes, corporate representatives, sports clubs, and notably, university students. Photo courtesy of VNG

Previously, VNG was honored as the sole Vietnamese technology company in the Top 25 Large Companies with the Best Workplace in Asia for 2023 by Great Place to Work (GPTW).

This achievement is attributed to VNG's commitment to fostering an internationally acclaimed work environment, valuing diversity, promoting equitable treatment, and fostering a sports culture.

In addition, through its dedicated efforts in the UpRace project, on November 24, VNG was recognized by the European Union Delegation in Vietnam with the esteemed certification as a "Company Engaged in Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development."

This recognition comes as a result of VNG's significant contributions to the project "Establishing a funding foundation for biodiversity protection and environmental sustainability in Da Nang, Vietnam," executed in collaboration with GreenViet and GSI with generous support from the European Union Delegation in Vietnam.