On 25th May 2019, around 1,500 people joined in ‘The Steps Challenge 2019’. Hosted by Saigon Children’s Charity (Saigonchildren), in partnership with CapitaLand Vietnam, this event aimed to reach 10 million steps to unlock a donation of 25,000 USD from CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF), which is to be used for the Special Needs Education Programme of saigonchildren to directly support the autism community across Vietnam.

One month before, the online campaign #stepupforautism was launched as the first part of the programme ‘The Steps Challenge’, aiming at raising autism awareness across Vietnam with the target of 100 million steps shared online. After 6 weeks, the number of steps reached almost double, attracting thousands of people across the country to join the movement online. In conjunction with this success, ‘The Steps Challenge’ event tickets were sold out 2 weeks before the event and attracted a wide range of participants in Ho Chi Minh City, including youth, families with kids, and teams from companies.


Mr Chen Lian Pang, CEO of CapitaLand Vietnam, said: “2019 marks a significant year as CapitaLand celebrates its 25th anniversary in Vietnam. In conjunction with this milestone and as we continue to grow our business in Vietnam, we are committed to giving back to the local community. We believe that every child has the potential for greatness, and when built upon, can in return benefit their communities too.”
Ms Truc Nguyen, a representative from Trustee Board of Saigonchildren happily shared: We all know that Autism cannot be cured completely, but early diagnosis and support mean that children with autism can communicate and learn better, and ultimately have a better life. Your energy today will be transformed into money support from CapitaLand who is our wonderful partner for The Steps Challenge. All the money we raise through this activity will be spent on autism education projects across Vietnam.

We reached 10 million steps to unlock a donation of 25,000 USD from CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF)
Today, all participants have achieved more than 10 million steps collectively together by joining in walking, running, participating in games, bamboo dances, jumping and passing obstacles during the Steps Challenge. These efforts have unlocked CHF’s donation and opened doors to a better understanding of autism and children with autism’s integration into society, bringing hope and opportunity for the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and their beloved.


All participants have achieved more than 10 million steps by joining in walking, participating in games, jumping and
passing obstacles during the Steps Challenge
With the donation of 25,000 USD from CapitaLand Vietnam, Saigonchildren can help many children with autism across the country through activities of their Special Needs Education Programme (SNEP). This programme provides:
Participants of The Steps Challenge enjoyed many energetic performances from popular singers and dance crews including Suboi and Joker Rock. Besides, the warm-up start with interesting exercises was hosted by ambassador VJ Dustin Phuc Nguyen and Suboi, as well as other KOLs and VIPs of the event.

SUBOI – ambassador of The Steps Challenge 2019
We send a big thank you to our medical partner of the event is American International Hospital; Technical partner Up Beat. And other sponsors including City International Hospital, Apollo English, Kiehl’s, Lock&Lock. Marsh, Greenhat, Nutrifort, QBE, Vy Gallery, 123go.vn, Caravelle, The Six Coffee, Auchan, Genshai, Pocari Sweat, Mandala Juice, Greenie Scoop, Jump Arena, Mandala Wellness, Kinderland, Saigon Boat Company, Saigon Heat, Starbuck, The coffee house, Toong Co-working Space.

Caravelle – one of our kind sponsor
The team successfully win the awards are:

The best TEAM 5
The Steps Challenge 2019 ended today but the whole campaign of “Unlocking Hope” for a positive impact of enhancing healthy habits and autism awareness has just begun. Saigonchildren Special Needs Education Programme is open to receive any fundraising efforts and funding to support more and more children with autism across Vietnam.