RMIT and KOTO set Guinness record, raise funds for disadvantaged children

(Dan Tri) - RMIT University Vietnam and KOTO set a Guinness World Record with the “Largest Number 25” arranged from 631 loaves of bread.

Taking place on October 25, the event aims to raise funds through the Hope Foundation to support disadvantaged youth across Vietnam.

The record was set with 631 Vietnamese sandwiches arranged in the shape of the number 25 (Photo: RMIT).

This initiative marks 25 years of contributions by the two organizations to the field of education in Vietnam, while also honoring Vietnamese culture through banh mi.

More than 1,000 guests witnessed the record attempt, including Ms. Sarah Hooper - Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, the RMIT community, corporate sponsors and partners. An official judge from Guinness World Records was present and confirmed the record on the spot.

“Banh mi brings the story of Vietnam to the world – a story of creativity, resilience and connection,” said Jodie Altan, Vice President, External Affairs, RMIT University Vietnam. “What we are doing has a similar mission: to bring world-class education to Vietnam without leaving behind the people and culture of this land. Together with KOTO, we are setting a Guinness World Record to celebrate how culture and education can create lasting change.”

Setting a Guinness World Record is not easy, it requires careful planning, adherence to strict international standards and precision execution down to every detail, from ensuring the solid structure of the bread model, to strict requirements for hygiene, safety and verification documents. Many months of preparation converged in one moment to make the history of Vietnamese banh mi.

From left to right: Mr. Austin Johnson - Guinness World Records Organization, Mr. Jimmy Pham (KOTO), Ms. Jodie Altan - RMIT University Vietnam (Photo: RMIT).

Austin Johnson, Guinness World Records Judge, said: “ Each Guinness record is judged on clear criteria, including: measurability, authenticity, standardization and originality. In this case, the structure must be made from bread, shaped to the exact number 25 and verified by independent experts. In addition, the organizers need to ensure that the entire processing process complies with food hygiene and safety standards, from production to distribution. This effort not only fully meets the technical requirements but also demonstrates tight organization and clear goals in the 25th anniversary celebration."

“The organizers ensured that all elements met the record regulations, while actively engaging the community. This was a well-organized effort, demonstrating professionalism and close cooperation between the participating parties.”

Hundreds of volunteers worked together to prepare, arrange and package the sandwiches, turning this culturally rich dish into a symbol of community spirit and humanistic meaning (Photo: RMIT).

To ensure hygiene and safety, about 400 people participated in the bread preparation process. Volunteers arranged the fillings in each loaf of bread, wrapping them individually for display. After the record was set, the bread was distributed to event attendees to enjoy on the spot, turning the anniversary into a meaningful community action to support disadvantaged youth through the Hope Foundation.

In recent times, the Hope Fund and KOTO have carried out many activities to support disadvantaged children and young people in remote and disadvantaged areas. In particular, the fund connects ethnic minority and orphaned students in the provinces to learn service, hotel and restaurant skills at KOTO's training center.

Ms. Sarah Hooper, Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, attended the record-setting event on the occasion of the school's 25th anniversary and support for KOTO's “Dream School” initiative (Photo: RMIT).

Founded in 1999, KOTO provides vocational training in tourism and comprehensive life skills education. Over the past 25 years, KOTO has helped change the lives of more than 1,700 disadvantaged youth, many of whom are ethnic minorities and live in remote areas.

Students have jobs after graduation, contributing to the community. After putting into operation the new facility - Dream School, the school aims to train 300 students per year.

At the event, attendees enjoyed music, participated in activities and watched the giant sandwich number 25 gradually take shape. This was not only a record-setting effort but also a testament to the power of cooperation, education and humanity.

As of October 25, the organizers said the event had raised $21,000 (about VND552 million). The fundraising program is continuing until the end of November. All of the money will be used to build KOTO's "Dream School" - a pioneering education project that provides free hospitality and life skills training to disadvantaged youth. This is not just a new school, but also a sustainable commitment to creating opportunities, confidence and a bright future for the younger generation.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/rmit-va-koto-xac-lap-ky-luc-guinness-gay-quy-cho-tre-kho-khan-20251028104400609.htm