Hai Phong youngsters start businesses in hometown
Many young people in Hai Phong have returned home to start businesses, with the courage to think big and take action, proactively applying technology and finding new ways for economic development.
Embracing challenges
In 2023, Bui Van Vien (born in 1996), a resident of Bach Dang Ward, Hai Phong City, decided to invest in a greenhouse hydroponic coinwort growing model. Coming from a farming family, he understood the difficulties of traditional farming and wanted to find a different approach to production.
To build more than 1,000 m2 of greenhouses, along with a hydroponic system and production equipment, he borrowed more than VND 1 billion from relatives and friends. The challenge was to create a competitive product and find a market for it. Selling fresh coinwort alone offered limited value, so he began exploring processing methods to take the product in a new direction.
His first attempt at hot-air drying failed to meet requirements, so he switched to freeze-drying while also researching stone-milling methods to preserve the natural color and flavor of the vegetable. In 2024, his hydroponically grown coinwort powder was recognized as a three-star OCOP product and sold in many provinces and cities. The model has since expanded from growing vegetables to processing products, increasing their economic value.
In another field, Nguyen Dinh Dat (born in 1998), from Kenh Trieu Village, Gia Phuc Commune, started a business with little experience. In 2021, he entered the jewelry-making trade without any formal professional training.
Instead of following conventional methods, Dat sought his own approach. Discarded steel bolts, screws and old faucets are forged, filed and engraved into one-of-a-kind rings, combined with diamonds and gemstones. Some products are worth hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong.
He also shares the crafting process on social media. Videos documenting the transformation of old screws into rings have attracted large numbers of viewers. This approach gives handmade products a story of their own while helping them reach customers farther afield.
Expansion in the digital market
.jpg)
Under the “Supporting Youth Entrepreneurship for 2022 – 2030” program, during the 2022 – 2025 period, the Municipal People's Committee introduced various mechanisms and policies to promote entrepreneurship among young people. The city's plan focuses on raising awareness and entrepreneurship capabilities and building a support environment based on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.
Support activities are designed to accompany young entrepreneurs from the formation of an idea through to bringing products to market. Projects receive advice on refining business models, along with support in legal matters, intellectual property, access to capital and trade promotion.
During this period, the city organized 93 technology transfer training courses for 8,425 young people and Youth Union members; 18 vocational training courses for 2,500 participants; 15 entrepreneurship knowledge and consulting courses for 1,320 young people; and two training courses on entrepreneurship support skills for 135 Youth Union and Association officials. Nearly VND 58 billion in preferential credit was disbursed to more than 1,000 young people and Youth Union members to support production and business activities.
The Hai Phong Youth Union also launched the 2026 “Hai Phong Entrepreneurship Incubator” competition, aimed at identifying, incubating and supporting promising youth entrepreneurship ideas and projects.
According to Do Duc Chinh, Deputy Secretary of the Hai Phong Youth Union, the competition is designed to provide long-term support. Promising projects receive incubation and training in business model development, brand development, digital transformation and AI applications, as well as connections with entrepreneurs, experts and investment funds to further develop products and commercialize them after the competition.
LINH LINH