VNSF was started in 2000 by a group of close friends who had a vision of helping impoverished children in rural areas of Vietnam. The group was led by Tam Nguyen. In 2001, the organization was incorporated in the State of Washington and in the following year the first scholarships were awarded in the provinces of Ca Mau and Saigon. By 2003, the organization had distributed 31 scholarships in these two provinces. In September 2004, the province of Bac Lieu was added, along with scholarships to 19 new students. In December of that same year, VNSF received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS with the help of volunteer Sara Hemphill, and in February 2005 registered with the state of Washington for permission to solicit charitable donations.

In August 2005, we were proud to host the first annual benefit dinner, which netted about $7,000 and allowed VNSF to add the province of Hau Giang, with scholarships to 25 students. In 2006, we held the second benefit dinner, which netted over $21,000 and the province of Dong Thap was added with scholarships to 54 new students. In April 2007, VNSF hired our first staff to manage the logistics of the scholarship program: Bao Hoang Nguyen, a VNSF scholarship recipient who graduated from college with help from the scholarship. In September 2007, almost 100 new students were added to the roster, and the Dao Xuan Anh Memorial Scholarship was established with the first scholarship given. In October of the same year, VNSF applied for registration with the Vietnamese government as a foreign NGO.

While we wait for our application to clear, VNSF continues its work. This year, 2008, we interviewed nearly 200 students and are planning to add 150 new students, for a total of over 350 students who will be receiving ongoing scholarships.