Portrait of a 9X girl who helps people in the highlands change their lives

A heart towards the Northwest

Born and raised in Hai Duong, Pham Thi Phuong Mai, commonly known by the nickname "Mai Tay Bac", decided to turn to a challenging but also extremely meaningful path. Not only stopping at exploring new lands, the 9X girl chose to stick with the ethnic minority people of Bat Xat, Lao Cai province - a remote Northwest land, becoming a bridge to help people in the highlands consume agricultural products, rise up out of poverty thanks to the application of digital technology . Her action is not only a business initiative but also a noble gesture, contributing to changing the lives of many families here.

Having graduated from the tour guide major, Phuong Mai had the opportunity to set foot in many different lands. It was the charity trips with her husband - a young man from Trinh Tuong commune, Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province - that made her realize a reality worth pondering.

The girl Pham Thi Phuong Mai (left) is also known by the nickname "Mai Tay Bac". Photo: NH

In the highland villages, people live mainly on agriculture , growing and harvesting valuable products from nature such as: wild bamboo shoots, macadamia, chestnuts, ancient Shan Tuyet tea... However, due to limited transportation conditions and a small consumer market, they often fall into the situation of "good harvest, low price, good price, bad harvest". Many clean, delicious, nutritious products cannot find an outlet, forcing people to sell them cheaply or even throw them away.

Witnessing the sweat and worries of the highland farmers, Phuong Mai wondered: " What can I do to help them? " That question kept echoing in her mind, urging her to find a new direction.

Although she did not have much capital to start a business, Phuong Mai had a powerful weapon: social media. She realized that TikTok, Facebook and other online platforms could be effective tools to promote her products. Thinking and doing, she created the TikTok channel “Mai Tay Bac” and started posting authentic videos about life here. She introduced each product in detail, from the harvesting and processing process to nutritional value and usage.

A shining example of compassion and creativity

Talking to reporters from Cong Thuong Newspaper, Phuong Mai said that in 2021, when she realized that many agricultural products of the highland people were having difficulty in selling, especially ginseng, she decided to use TikTok and Facebook to promote. Instead of simply posting products for sale, she chose to tell stories about the life, culture and people of the Northwest, creating a close connection with customers. This creative approach quickly attracted more than half a million followers, with millions of likes and interactions.

"Mai Tay Bac" not only successfully runs her own business but also helps many highland farmers find stable outlets for their products. Up to now, thanks to her creativity and constant efforts, Phuong Mai's TikTok channel has attracted more than 700,000 followers and reached nearly 13 million likes. Not only does she sell products, she also directly participates in the harvesting and processing process to ensure product quality and build trust with customers.

“ Using social networks not only expands the market but also helps people build their own brands. In the past, many products of ethnic minorities, although of high quality, were not widely known due to lack of promotion. Now, with the support of social networks and e-commerce platforms, people can completely introduce their products in a more professional way. Channels such as Facebook, TikTok or Shopee are all useful tools to reach customers ,” Phuong Mai emphasized.

Portrait of a 9X girl who helps people in the highlands change their lives

Phuong Mai has been helping many highland farmers find stable outlets for their products. Photo: NH

In addition, the 9X girl also organizes many charity programs, giving books and warm clothes to children in mountainous areas, and supporting poor families. For her, success is not only helping people have outlets for their products but also bringing them confidence and motivation to improve their lives.

With her persistent contributions in supporting the people of the highlands to develop the economy and enhance the value of agricultural products with digital technology, in 2024, Pham Thi Phuong Mai was honored to receive the Luong Dinh Cua Award - one of the most prestigious titles for rural youth with outstanding contributions in production, business and startups.

The award is not only a recognition of her dedicated journey but also a living testament to the power of compassion and innovative thinking. Among 89 outstanding candidates from all over the country, she was honored for her groundbreaking initiatives in bringing highland agricultural products to the market through digital platforms.

From an urban girl who found her mission in the mountains of the Northwest, thanks to her constant efforts, she turned difficulties into opportunities. Mountain products such as bamboo shoots, ginseng, and ancient Shan Tuyet tea, which once struggled to find a market, have now reached consumers everywhere thanks to smart connections from social networks.

Not only did she expand the market, she also gradually helped people change their mindset, know how to utilize technology to consume products, and significantly improve their income. " Their lives have gradually improved, they have more money to cover living expenses, take care of their children's education and invest in new crops, " Ms. Phuong Mai expressed.

The 2024 Luong Dinh Cua Award is not only a source of personal pride but also a source of inspiration spreading to the community. This is proof that when passion meets creativity, we can create positive changes, contributing to the overall development of society.

Phuong Mai’s story is not simply a journey of entrepreneurship, but also a lesson about sharing and responsibility to the community. She has proven that technology not only serves business but also serves as a bridge to help people in remote areas rise up strongly. With her dedication, the 9X girl has turned social networks into a “new-age market”, where products that used to be quietly grown in the mountains and forests can now compete with the modern market.

The success of Pham Thi Phuong Mai not only brings joy to herself but also motivates many young people to dare to think, dare to do, dare to change to bring good values to the community. Good people and good deeds like her need to be spread, so that every small action today can contribute to changing a land, a generation, a future.

The Luong Dinh Cua Award 2024 was organized by the Central Secretariat of the Youth Union to honor outstanding young people in starting a business, establishing a career, transferring scientific and technological advances, building new rural areas and protecting the environment.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/chan-dung-co-gai-9x-giup-ba-con-vung-cao-doi-doi-379980.html