Empowering young entrepreneurs

In recent years, the An Giang Youth Startup Support Center (under the Provincial Youth Union, referred to as the Center) has implemented many practical programs and activities to support young people on their journey of starting a business, contributing to job creation and local socio-economic development.

The “Startup Incubation” program has given wings to many young people and students’ startup dreams. Photo: DUC TOAN

“Pedal” for ideas

One of the outstanding activities maintained by the Center is the "Startup Creative Ideas" contest held since 2017. After nearly 8 years of implementation, the program has attracted nearly 700 ideas and projects, mainly in the fields of agriculture , services, tourism, technology... associated with the strengths of each locality.

At the same time, trade promotion, market connection and career orientation activities are also promoted. Notably, the career orientation, employment and start-up festival is held twice a year, attracting a large number of students and young people to participate.

In 2018, the An Giang Youth Startup Support Fund was officially established with the support of Loc Troi Group, becoming an important resource to realize many business ideas of young people. As of May 2025, the fund has disbursed to 99 projects with a total amount of more than 7.2 billion VND. In 2024 alone, 8 projects were supported with a total budget of 500 million VND. Many projects were supported such as the project to restore and renovate the garden of Chau Qui Sal, Co To commune; the project to produce raw materials and handicrafts from water hyacinth by Tran Ngoc Thuan, the project of pure honey and products from Tra Su Honey by Bui Thi Anh Thu, both residing in An Cu commune; the project to develop a wood carving, carpentry, and interior decoration facility by Le Hung Suc, residing in Long Dien commune, etc.

One of the cases receiving support in business is Mr. Le Hung Suc, residing in Long Dien commune, owner of Ut Trang sculpture establishment. Starting a business in 2017 in the field of fine art woodworking such as cabinets, tables, chairs, processing sculptures and wooden statues, Mr. Suc once encountered difficulties in capital and production equipment. Thanks to timely support and capital of 80 million VND from the Youth Startup Support Fund of An Giang province, he invested in modern machinery and expanded the scale of production. "The timely capital helps me maintain my traditional profession and develop my family's economy ," Mr. Suc shared.

With capital support, Mr. Le Hung Suc develops traditional profession. Photo: DUC TOAN

Spreading the spirit of entrepreneurship

Not only relying on local resources, the Center also effectively utilizes international programs and non-projects. Typical examples include the project “Promoting career and business development for disadvantaged youth” of Aide et Action in Vietnam with a support level of 620 million VND, the programs “Success Skills” and “Rainbow Voice” sponsored by Save the Children, with a total budget of 310 million VND. The program “Incubating creative startups” at secondary schools in the province has contributed to inspiring and equipping students with knowledge of startups and innovation right from school.

According to Director of the Center Truong Thanh Thuy, training, consulting, coaching and propaganda activities are increasingly expanded, not only focusing on young people but also spreading to students. Thematic training sessions and business-youth dialogues have contributed to effective and practical orientation for young people on the path of starting a business. In the coming time, the center will continue to implement many key programs such as: Training on product branding skills, capital support, promoting the consumption of startup products and organizing dialogues between young startups and young entrepreneurs.

It can be affirmed that the activities supporting young people to start a business in An Giang in recent times have significantly contributed to raising awareness and arousing the spirit of self-reliance and creativity among young people. This is also a testament to the role of the Youth Union and Association in accompanying young people to establish themselves and their careers, contributing to building a generation of young, courageous and dynamic citizens in the period of integration and development.

DUC TOAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/chap-canh-khoi-nghiep-tre-a426218.html