On May 23rd, 2018, Lang Son Department of Education and Training held the Inauguration Ceremony for the “Model Kitchen” at Hoang Van Thu Primary School. The “Model Kitchen” has the total funding of 2.3 billion VND.

General Director of Ajinomoto Vietnam – Mr. Keiji Kaneko was sending his congratulations to Hoang Van Thu Primary School at the Inauguration Ceremony of the “Model Kitchen”.

The ceremony welcomed Vice Minister of Education and Training - Dr. Nguyen Thi Nghia, Mr. Keiji Kaneko - General Director of Ajinomoto Vietnam, leaders of Lang Son People's Committee, leaders of local organizations and agencies, the School Board Management of local primary boarding schools, representatives of parents and pupils.

The “Model Kitchen” in Lang Son, part of the School Meal Project initiated by Ajinomoto Vietnam, is built with the total expense of 2.3 billion VND, of which the main funding is from the Grants Assistance for the Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) from the People of Japan through the Japanese Embassy (around 1.7 billion VND); Ajinomoto Vietnam (170 million VND) along with the funding from Lang Son People’s Committee and other units.

The Japanese Government’s sponsorship for the “Model Kitchen” in Lang Son expresses their appreciation for the significant meanings and contributions of the School Meal Project towards improving Vietnamese children’s nutritional status. The "Model Kitchen" at Hoang Van Thu Primary School is expected to help schools in the North standardize boarding kitchens, thereby promoting the development of the School Meal Project nationwide. 

The "Model Kitchen" at Lang Son Primary School is designed strictly in line with the regulations on food hygiene and safety and productivity improving for the kitchen: applying the one-way rule from raw materials reception to final products; divided into separate areas; equipped with modern facilities and kitchen devices to help reduce heavy tasks as well as save time for the staff…

After the Inauguration Ceremony, the kitchen is expected to serve about 1,500 pupils in the school year 2018 – 2019.

Speaking at the Inauguration Ceremony, Vice Minister of Education and Training – Dr. Nguyen Thi Nghia highly appreciated the School Meal Project being deployed to primary boarding schools. According to the Vice Minister, realizing the importance of school nutrition, the Ministry of Education & Training has co-operated with departments, agencies and organizations, especially Ajinomoto Vietnam, to implement the School Meal Project to all primary boarding schools across the country for the purpose of enhancing the physical and mental strength of Vietnamese pupils.

Vice Minister Nguyen Thi Nghia said that the School Meal Project has practical values and deep humanitarian meanings, contributing to the improvement of the stature of the Vietnamese people, contributing to the successful implementation of the goals in school nutrition in the new situation, bringing a golden generation for Vietnamese children’s future.

"I hope that the School Meal Project will be expanded on a national scale so that pupils, the future generations of the country can enjoy its benefits, hence raising the children’s stature through ensuring the hygiene and safety in each meal.", said Vice Minister Nguyen Thi Nghia.

At the ceremony, Mr. Keiji Kaneko - General Director of Ajinomoto Vietnam expressed his pleasure and belief that the Project will effectively support the preparation of nutrition-balanced and delicious meals for pupils of Hoang Van Thu Primary School.

“I am happy to say that this is one of the important activities of School Meal Project which was initiated in 2012 by Ajinomoto Vietnam and till now has been expanded nationwide with more than 34 provinces and cities. This is thanks to the close cooperation and support from Ministry of Education and Training, National Institute of Nutrition - Ministry of Health and together with the valuable support from the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam.”, stated Mr. Keiji Kaneko.

Pupils are enjoying their lunch prepared based on the Nutrition-balanced Menu Development Software.

In 2014, Ajinomoto Vietnam collaborated with Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training to build the first “Model Kitchen” in Trung Trac Primary School, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City. Since its inauguration, this kitchen has welcomed more than 1,000 units to visit and study so far.