Lying some 18 nautical miles from the mainland, Con Co is the country's smallest island with a total area of just 2.30 square kilometres. The island currently has just one school, the Hoa Phong Ba Kindergarten and Primary School, which hosts 11 kindergarten children and three first-grade students. Meanwhile, older children are now still having to go to the mainland to study. They are mostly children of fishermen and military officers based on the island whose lives are still very difficult.

Dantri Newspaper has recently launched a programme to call for support from readers for the children and teachers on Con Co and has gathered some cash, food, study equipment, and other necessities. The gifts were brought to them during a visit on January 20.

The newspaper will also sponsor three first-grade students on the island with VND 1 million per month until they finish primary school.

Speaking at the visit, Dantri/Dtinews Newspaper Deputy Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Xuan Toan, said that this was the first time they carried out a sponsorship programme and they hoped to ease some financial difficulties for the students and their parents on Con Co Island.

Toan also shared that he was very moved to see that the islanders are receiving good care and support from the government and expressed hopes that the students would study better and have a better future.

"We've also paid lots of attention to charity activities to help improve the lives of people in difficult areas," he said. "So far we've built 78 bridges and schools nationwide with a total investment of some VND70 billion (USD2.85 million. We've also raised a fund to support many individuals in need of support. Last year, we raised over VND58 billion (USD2.37 million) to help 400 people nationwide."

Speaking at the visit, the Chairman of Gio Linh District People's Committee, Vo Viet Cuong, highly appreciated the programmes launched by Dantri for students on the island.

It's not until 2023 that we could open the first primary school in Con Co Island, which is the dream of residents," the official said. "We want to express our sincere thanks to Dantri Newspaper and all kind donors for your valuable support to our children."