DR. NGUYEN THI PHUONG THAO: WOMEN ARE THE "SILENT WARRIORS" OF VIETNAM'S PRIVATE ECONOMY

On the morning of November 30, 2025, the Conference on the Review of the Project on Supporting Women Entrepreneurs for the 2017–2025 Period (Project 939) and the Launch of the Project on Supporting Women Entrepreneurs for the 2026–2035 Period (Project 2415), along with the event honoring exemplary women-led cooperatives in 2025, took place in Hanoi. The conference was chaired by Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and connected online to 34 locations nationwide.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and delegates pressed the button to launch the Project on Supporting Women Entrepreneurs for the 2026-2035 period. Photo: VGP/Nhật Bắc

The conference was also attended by Politburo member and President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Bùi Thị Minh Hoài; President of the Vietnam Women’s Union, Nguyễn Thị Tuyến; leaders of ministries, sectors, domestic and international organizations; and leading Vietnamese female entrepreneurs, including Dr. Nguyễn Thị Phương Thảo - Chairwoman of Sovico Group.

1. Significant results from Project 939 (2017–2025): 

The project mobilized nearly VND 443 billion from the state budget (Central level: VND 79 billion; local levels: nearly VND 364 billion) and VND 211 billion from socialized sources (Central level: ~VND 36 billion; local levels: over VND 175 billion). All objectives were completed or exceeded, producing significant and positive impacts.

According to President of the Vietnam Women’s Union Nguyễn Thị Tuyến, the project enhanced awareness, ignited aspirations, inspired women nationwide, and created a strong entrepreneurial movement among women. It also provided practical support in capital, knowledge, and skills, empowering hundreds of thousands of women to confidently start businesses.

2. UN Women: Proud to accompany Vietnam

Speaking at the conference, Ms. Caroline T. Nyamayemombe, Country Representative of UN Women in Vietnam, affirmed that UN Women is proud to accompany the Vietnam Women’s Union in providing technical support, advocacy tools, gender-responsive budgeting, and global knowledge-sharing. The UN agency has witnessed Vietnamese women transform ideas into businesses, villages into thriving cooperatives, and challenges into opportunities, from traditional crafts to tech-driven start-ups.

Dr. Nguyễn Thị Phương Thảo: Women are the “silent warriors” of the private sector. Understanding that entrepreneurship is never easy, especially for women-Dr. Nguyễn Thị Phương Thảo, Chairwoman of Sovico Group, shared that many women must constantly balance work and family responsibilities, societal expectations, and livelihood pressures, especially women in vulnerable groups, ethnic minority communities, and remote areas.

With this empathy, she reaffirmed a long-term commitment on behalf of Sovico, Vietjet, HDBank, and Vikki Digital Bank to accompany the Vietnam Women’s Union in expanding capital access, enhancing digital capabilities, and building a women-focused entrepreneurial ecosystem, including training, networking, and leadership development.

She stated: “We have seen women who started businesses from their small kitchens, women selling goods online from remote villages, mothers building business models while caring for their children. They are the ‘silent warriors’ of the private economy-quiet yet steadfast contributors to growth, innovation, and the nation’s prosperity.

And society’s mission today is to give them opportunities to shine. The Project on Supporting Women Entrepreneurs for 2026–2035 will be a source of renewed motivation for Vietnamese women. When women rise, families become happier, communities grow stronger, and the country becomes more prosperous.”

3. Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính: Women are central to national development

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính emphasized that the event holds significant meaning-recognizing excellent models, honoring outstanding examples, and setting directions and solutions for implementing Project 2415 with a spirit of revolution, dynamism, strategic vision, adaptation to new requirements, and the goal of building a vibrant, interconnected, and sustainable ecosystem supporting women’s entrepreneurship.

The Prime Minister commended exemplary female entrepreneurs such as Dr. Nguyễn Thị Phương Thảo, and congratulated women-led Vietnamese enterprises like Vietjet and Vinamilk for reaching international markets and integrating into global value chains.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính visits an exhibition of agricultural and handicraft products from women-led start-ups. Photo: VGP/Nhật Bắc

He affirmed that women play a central role and are an essential part of society, contributing greatly to Vietnam’s revolutionary achievements in building and defending the nation. Regardless of circumstances or positions, Vietnamese women have always overcome adversity, prejudice, and challenges, upholding their traditions and virtues, not only nurturing families but also pioneering and creating sustainable social value. President Hồ Chí Minh once praised: “Vietnamese women are extraordinary-conquering the East and subduing the North, leaving a legacy for generations.”

“The Vietnamese people are heroic… and Vietnamese women are heroic.” With the spirit: “The Party leads -The State enables - Women pioneer - Unions support - The nation develops - The people prosper,” the Government and the Prime Minister affirmed their commitment to always accompany and create the most favorable conditions for Vietnamese women to innovate, start businesses, elevate their role, and ensure sustainable development in the new era.

Source: baodautu.vn