4 solutions to "support" ethnic minority women in starting businesses

PV: Through the research and field survey process, how do you evaluate the role and potential of ethnic minority women in the southern provinces to start a business?

MSc. Le Thi Thanh Tam: From the survey results of 300 samples in the provinces of Binh Phuoc, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, and Tra Vinh - in which the proportion of women accounts for 52.5% - I realized that ethnic minority women are not only the main labor force in the household economy but also a potential subject in developing local business models.

They have certain advantages in traditional skills such as agriculture , brocade weaving, agricultural processing and community tourism. These are areas with comparative advantages in the Southern region. However, this potential has not been systematically exploited and promoted due to the lack of business knowledge, management skills and specialized support mechanisms.

PV: In your opinion, what are the main difficulties that ethnic minority women encounter when starting a business?

MSc. Le Thi Thanh Tam : Based on a synthesis of research and quantitative analysis, difficulties can be divided into 5 main groups:

1. Limited access to finance: Most ethnic minority women have difficulty accessing formal credit due to lack of collateral, unfamiliarity with administrative procedures, or lack of information about preferential loan packages. This is a common barrier and directly affects the ability to start a business.

2. Lack of business and management skills: They lack a foundation of knowledge in business planning, financial management, digital marketing, and have not had access to modern technology – while these are essential competencies for entrepreneurs.

3. Cultural and gender barriers: Traditional customs in some ethnic minority communities still place the burden of family care on women. This reduces their time, opportunities for contact and learning.

4. Poor infrastructure and business conditions: Lack of electricity, roads, telecommunications and output markets are factors that increase start-up costs and reduce efficiency.

5. Lack of support ecosystem: Current support programs are not localized and do not meet the needs and characteristics of ethnic minority women.

PV: From the survey results, what do you think ethnic minority women need today to start a business more smoothly?

MSc. Le Thi Thanh Tam : Needs can be summarized into three main groups:

1. Practical startup skills training: Including business planning skills, financial management, branding, digital technology application and soft skills such as communication, negotiation, foreign languages.

2. Access to information and support networks: Ethnic minority women want to access transparent information about support policies, capital calling channels, receive legal advice and connect with the startup ecosystem, investors, trade fairs, and mentors.

3. Join the startup community: The need to exchange and learn from the experiences of predecessors is very large. Developing cooperatives, production groups or startup clubs is a suitable form of organization.

PV: So, in your opinion, what specific solutions need to be implemented to promote start-up activities of ethnic minority women in the coming time?

MSc. Le Thi Thanh Tam : I propose 4 groups of strategic solutions:

1. Raising awareness and changing entrepreneurial thinking: Through communication campaigns, seminars, and training programs integrated into the women's union system, it is necessary to help women understand that entrepreneurship is a way to escape poverty sustainably and affirm their self-worth.

2. Targeted and regionally appropriate training: Programs need to be flexible, practice-centered, involve real entrepreneurs/mentors, and use accessible technology (e.g., learning via phone, Zalo, short videos, etc.).

3. Develop a local startup ecosystem: Including co-working spaces, local product fairs, mentorship programs, market connections, and building a supportive community.

4. Strengthen preferential financial policies: The State and financial institutions need to design specific credit packages with simple procedures, credit guarantees or support through intermediary organizations (e.g. cooperatives, women's associations) to make it easier for ethnic minority women to access.

Conclusion: Entrepreneurship is not only an economic story, but also a comprehensive solution for gender equality, sustainable development and improving the quality of ethnic minority human resources in Vietnam. To be successful, it requires the support of the entire political system, social organizations, businesses and each ethnic minority woman herself.

PV: Thank you for your heartfelt and practical sharing!

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/4-giai-phap-tiep-suc-phu-nu-dan-toc-thieu-so-khoi-nghiep-20250527161531956.htm