Green economy - a trend towards sustainable development.

Through innovative and practical models, women in Can Tho City have been pioneering the development of a green economy as a sustainable direction. These efforts not only ensure stable livelihoods but also help optimize resources, protect public health, and enhance the value of local products.

Preserving the spirit of the homeland

Rising to a comfortable life thanks to the fish sauce making business, Ms. Le Thi Truong Han, owner of Thao Nguyen Fish Sauce Production Facility in Hamlet 3, Vinh Tuong Commune, said: “For me, making fish sauce is not just a means of livelihood. Every drop of fish sauce is a reflection of my homeland, a memory of my childhood days when my mother taught me how to select fresh fish, how to ferment salt, and the right proportions to achieve the delicious, rich flavor of fish sauce.”

Ms. Truong Thi Bich Lien from Vi Thanh ward is implementing the process to create the product "Detoxifying and nourishing face mask extracted from centella and houttuynia cordata".

Taking advantage of nature's gift of abundant freshwater fish, Ms. Han and other women in the hamlet strive to preserve the traditional craft of producing natural freshwater fish sauce. Ms. Han shared: "In order to improve the family's economy and create jobs for local women, I opened a handcrafted fish sauce production facility to start a business together."

Ms. Han's fish sauce product consists of two main ingredients: fish and salt, processed meticulously: fresh fish are carefully selected, salted in earthenware jars, naturally fermented, slowly cooked, and carefully filtered. From these fresh, delicious freshwater fish, Ms. Han and her sisters carefully extract each drop of golden fish sauce, imbued with the rich flavor of the Mekong Delta. Ms. Han said: "Producing a batch of fish sauce takes 9-12 months and requires a strict fermentation process." Thanks to her persistent pursuit of clean and safe production methods, for over 10 years, Ms. Han's products have been widely consumed both within and outside the city. In 2025, the product was recognized as achieving OCOP 3-star standard.

Ms. Han has established a business model for selling freshwater fish, connecting local people with the market and providing employment for more than 10 women. “We started our business with a green, environmentally friendly approach. The standards for clean, safe, and healthy products are always our top priority. This is also the foundation for me and my colleagues to maintain our craft and believe that the unique flavor of our freshwater fish sauce will live on in every Vietnamese family meal,” Ms. Han shared.

Safe beauty treatments

Ms. Truong Thi Bich Lien from Vi Thanh ward boldly started her business with the project "Detoxifying and nourishing face mask extracted from centella and houttuynia cordata." Choosing a "green" path, Ms. Lien utilizes familiar ingredients from her home garden to develop an environmentally friendly cosmetic line, meeting the demand for safe beauty care.

To create the product, Ms. Lien follows a manual process consisting of three main steps: separately distilling centella and houttuynia cordata to extract essential oils; drying the ingredients to create starch; and mixing the essential oils and starch in the appropriate ratio to achieve optimal quality. The masks are pre-prepared and very convenient to use. Women can use them for a long time, saving effort and ensuring safety.

Ms. Lien shared: “I am an English teacher. However, with a passion for making natural products, I proactively researched many traditional and Western medicine documents; consulted information sources on medicinal herbs from abroad... to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the products.” Ms. Lien's products have been certified by the Can Tho City Center for Testing Drugs, Cosmetics, and Food as meeting the TCVN:7391-10:2007 standard, safe for the skin and non-irritating. The products are produced regularly in stable quantities, supplying over 300 products daily to several spas and consumers in Can Tho City. Not only does she create beauty products, but Ms. Lien also contributes to the consumption of local agricultural products. She shared: “Green entrepreneurship is not just about making environmentally friendly products, but also about living responsibly towards the community and the health of consumers.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Can Tho City and Chairwoman of the City Women's Union, stated: “Green entrepreneurship is an inevitable trend, in line with the sustainable development orientation. The City Women's Union will continue to accompany and support women in accessing capital, science and technology, digital transformation, and market expansion. Through this, we aim to help women start businesses effectively, contributing to environmental protection and building a green economy from each family and locality.”

Text and photos: CAO OANH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/kinh-te-xanh-xu-huong-phat-trien-ben-vung-a204177.html