When the Cỏ May Dormitory opens in early September, at least 400 poor, talented students from HCM City and neighbouring provinces will have a free place to stay, thanks to the generosity of late businessman Phạm Văn Bên.

Located at the HCM City University of Agriculture and Forestry, the four-story, 54-room building was funded by Bên, former head of the Đồng Tháp Province-based private enterprise Cỏ May Ltd.

Besides the investment VNĐ37 million (US$1.7 million), Bên also asked his family to provide annual financial support of VNĐ15 billion to pay for school fees, meals and other expenses for students at the dormitory, according to his son, Phạm Minh Thiện.

“Our family will realise my father’s wish,” Thiện says.

Nguyễn Thị Bao, head of the Cỏ May Dormitory management board, says the applicants for the dormitory are students from poor families who have good academic records and have passed entrance exams for public universities.

“Mr Bên is a kind-hearted person,” Bao says. “I recognised his kindness when I met him 27 years ago.  VNS