Empowering women to pursue innovative entrepreneurship

More support to start a business

When Pham Thi An in An Bien Ward started a business at the age of 50 selling traditional xoi khuc (sticky rice balls filled with mung beans and pork), she faced difficulties securing capital. Through the Ward Women's Union, she was connected with the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies and obtained a loan of VND 100 million. The union also helped introduce her products at festivals and trade promotion events. She has since established the Xoi Khuc An brand, whose product has earned a three-star OCOP rating.

Doan Thi Oanh, from Ngo Quyen Ward, who oversees the Hai Phong representative office of Doctor Bean Sprout Manufacturing and Trading JSC, received a VND 200 million loan from the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies to expand her business. To date, her business has grown steadily, with an expanding market and rising revenue. She now has a network of hundreds of collaborators involved in product distribution.

During the 2021-2025 period, Women's Union chapters at all levels across the city supported 2,440 women in starting businesses. More than 5,600 women who own businesses, cooperatives, production establishments or business households received training to strengthen their capabilities.

Building on these efforts, in April 2026, the City People's Committee issued Plan No. 113/KH-UBND to implement the Women's Entrepreneurship Support Scheme for 2026 – 2035. For the 2026-2030 period, the city aims to improve business knowledge and skills for 2,500 women; provide support and consultancy to 5,000 women-owned businesses, cooperatives and business households seeking access to preferential credit and startup funds; and guide 500 business households through registration for conversion into enterprises.

Support tailored to practical needs

In addition to access to capital, product promotion and market expansion are also essential needs for women entrepreneurs. The City Women's Union and relevant departments and agencies have been actively implementing various support initiatives in these areas.

The union organized the 2026 Women's Entrepreneurship Festival over two days, October 15 and 16, featuring nearly 100 booths showcasing OCOP products, handicrafts, agricultural produce and processed goods made by women-owned businesses. The event gave producers an opportunity to meet customers, receive feedback on product quality and packaging, and seek new distribution partners.

The city Women's Union and Department of Industry and Trade have recently signed a cooperation plan for trade promotion for 2026 – 2035. The two agencies aim to help at least 20 promising products connect with supermarkets, shopping centers and e-commerce platforms, and to secure stable distribution for 10 signature and flagship products owned by women. They will also coordinate training in trade promotion skills and provide support for packaging improvement, product traceability and online sales.

Alongside support to expand market access, Women's Union chapters at all levels also attach special importance to equipping women with digital business skills. In Hung Dao Ward, women have received guidance on using artificial intelligence to create advertising content, images and product introduction videos. The “Digital Businesswomen Group” model helps members access online sales tools and cashless payment methods.

At a ceremony marking the 96th founding anniversary of the Vietnam Women's Union on October 15, Pham Van Lap, Standing Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hai Phong, called on Women's Union chapters at all levels to continue renewing their activities and approaches, strengthen their presence at the grassroots level, and put members and women at the center of their work. He emphasized the importance of supporting women in starting businesses, developing production and commercial activities, increasing incomes and strengthening economic independence, while facilitating access to capital, science, technology, e-commerce and green business models.

With support from the city, coordination among departments and agencies, and continued assistance from Women's Union chapters at all levels, more and more women in Hai Phong are gaining opportunities to start businesses, expand production and commercial activities, and increase their incomes.

THE ANH