Starting a business with local products
After studying and working in Nha Trang ( Khanh Hoa province ), in 2017, Ms. Do Thi Thu Thao (from An Hoa commune) returned to her hometown to start a business using the local produce. Recognizing that many local specialty products such as forest honey and sim fruit lacked proper packaging and labeling, she aspired to contribute to elevating the status of her hometown's agricultural products.
In 2018, she established Moc Thao establishment, investing in perfecting the processing and packaging process and building the brand. To date, the establishment has developed many product lines such as: Beest honey, sim wine, turmeric powder with honey, vine tea, filter bag dung tea, male papaya flower soaked in honey, beeswax candles… Among them, Beest honey and sim wine have achieved the local OCOP 3-star standard.
According to Ms. Thao, "every beginning is difficult," so she simultaneously improved the quality and design of her products, actively promoted them at trade fairs and events, and learned livestreaming. Through persistent effort, her products reached customers in many provinces and cities, and even attracted the attention of international tourists.
Choosing to change direction from her career as a pharmacist, having previously run two local pharmacies, Ms. Vo Minh Mo (An Lao commune) established the An Lao Service and Medicinal Herbs Cooperative in 2024. Recognizing that the cinnamon growing area in An Toan – with over 170 hectares of forest cinnamon – was not being effectively exploited and that locals were beginning to switch crops, she and her husband connected with the community, building a supply chain to develop local products, enhance their value, and create livelihoods.
The cooperative purchases over 600 kg of raw cinnamon each month to produce items such as cinnamon buds, peeled cinnamon sticks, cinnamon bark scented candles, B'rê dipping salt, wild lemongrass, smoked meat, etc. Among these, the An Toàn cinnamon bud product has received a 3-star OCOP certification from the local authorities. Along with production, Ms. Mơ promotes sales on e-commerce platforms and actively connects with other female entrepreneurs to support each other's promotion efforts.
“As newcomers to the production business, we almost had to learn everything from scratch – from how to make the products to how to sell them. Finding a market was also a challenging problem. Fortunately, with support from the local government and experienced entrepreneurs, the cooperative gradually stabilized. We boosted sales on Shopee, Lazada, TikTok… and partnered with other female entrepreneurs to promote our products,” Ms. Mo shared.
Choosing their own path with the aspiration to put their hometown on the map of community tourism , Ms. Pham Thi Kenh and her husband (owners of Co Kenh homestay, An Toan commune) boldly invested in building a homestay in 2019 to serve tourism. Currently, Co Kenh homestay operates stably with 12 rooms, priced from 200,000 to 400,000 VND per day. Guests mainly stay on weekends; during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), the facility often operates at full capacity.
“Many years ago, when I visited Da Lat and saw how well the homestay model was developing there, I thought that An Toan, with its unique nature and culture, could also do the same. My husband and I discussed opening a homestay. Not long after, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, halting all our plans. But we always believed that with the existing potential and the unity of the community, tourists would eventually return to our hometown,” Ms. Kenh shared.
Let's go further together.
Through individual efforts, the entrepreneurial spirit of women in the former An Lao district has increasingly spread, forming a close-knit network where they share experiences and promote local products.
After a period of starting her business and gradually establishing her brand, at the end of 2024, Ms. Do Thi Thu Thao boldly opened the Moc Thao OCOP store right in her locality to conveniently promote and introduce her products. Not only focusing on developing her personal brand, Ms. Thao also dedicated a portion of the store space to displaying and connecting with consumers of startup products from various localities, including traditional brocade fabrics rich in cultural identity.
Currently, the OCOP Moc Thao store showcases many specialties such as: herbal roll-on essential oils, Ong Hoang wind oil (My An Agricultural and Fisheries Service Cooperative, Phu My Dong commune); cinnamon and medicinal products from An Lao Service and Medicinal Herbs Cooperative; purple sweet potato rice noodles (Vita One-Member Limited Liability Company, Tay Son commune)...
In addition to the OCOP store, Moc Thao establishment actively connects with other distribution points such as Nau Ecovalley, My Kenh homestay, and Tien Vua Tea Cooperative - all of which are working together to promote safe highland products.
“I hope that the store will not only be a place to sell products, but also a bridge to support women entrepreneurs – helping them access the market, network, share experiences, and grow together. During trade fairs, I always introduce products from other businesses alongside my own. This helps build reputation and increase the recognition of local products,” Ms. Thao shared.
Not only do they support each other in reaching customers through digital platforms, many women also accompany each other from the very beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. As the Business Director of the An Lao Service and Medicinal Herbs Cooperative, Ms. Vo Minh Mo regularly works closely with women entrepreneurs in the locality, especially in guiding them through administrative procedures, preparing documents, paperwork, and advising on product trademark registration.
Ms. Mo shared: “Many people have ideas or products but don't know where to start, and are hesitant about the procedures. I've experienced these difficulties myself, so I'm always willing to share what I know – not only about the registration process and branding, but also about the production process – to help women feel more confident when starting their businesses.”
Instead of pursuing tourism in a "lone wolf" manner, Ms. Kênh proactively collaborates with several local households to supply ingredients for the cuisine ; she also cooperates with the village's gong and traditional dance troupe to entertain tourists whenever requested.
"I hope that not only I or a few other homestay owners will contribute to tourism, but every local resident will do so. Therefore, I'm collaborating with households – both to help them earn extra income and to raise community awareness in tourism development," Ms. Kênh shared.
Local startup models not only help women in mountainous areas confidently assert themselves but also open up a sustainable path for the rural economy of these regions – areas that were once struggling but are now gradually establishing themselves through unique products and innovative approaches.
Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/gia-lai-phu-nu-vung-cao-khoi-nghiep-mo-loi-sinh-ke-ben-vung-post562010.html
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