HiteJinro has awarded a combined 400 million dong ($15,400) in scholarships to 20 Vietnamese university students as it deepens its presence in the key Southeast Asian market.

The Korean liquor maker said Thursday that students from Hanoi University and Hanoi University of Foreign Studies each received 20 million dong.

Launched in 2017, the scholarship program has awarded 2.4 billion dong to 130 students over seven rounds.

At the award ceremony, HiteJinro CEO Jang In-seop mentioned a former scholarship recipient who later joined the company’s Vietnamese subsidiary as an employee, describing the case as an example of the company’s efforts to create career opportunities beyond financial support.

The initiative comes as HiteJinro expands its operations in Vietnam. The company is building its first overseas production plant at the Green i-Park industrial complex in Hung Yen province, with completion scheduled for the end of this year.

The facility will serve as a production and logistics hub for Southeast Asia and other global markets, while creating jobs in the region.

“Vietnam was the first country to which HiteJinro exported soju and is a key market for securing our global competitiveness as we build the company’s next 100 years,” Jang said.

“Just as a former scholarship recipient went on to join HiteJinro, we will continue supporting talented young people who will lead Vietnam’s future.”

A university official said the company’s long-running program goes beyond financial assistance by providing Vietnamese students with practical career opportunities.

By Jeon Ji-woo (jwjeon7625@heraldcorp.com)