Not an entrepreneur seeking wealth, Ms. Pham Thi Duy My, Director of Duy Oanh Grain Cooperative (Duy Son commune, Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province ), started from the simplest need: wanting her children to have nutritious meals. Few would have imagined that from her first batch of grains, she would gradually build a brand of clean agricultural products deeply rooted in local resources.
At the same time, she also won many startup awards. Behind the glory lies a journey filled with many hardships for a woman who "carries two burdens at once".
The first batches of grain not only "saved" the young mother but also ignited in her a greater desire to produce healthy, clean food from seeds from her homeland. The cooperative chose to coexist and develop alongside local farmers, utilizing readily available raw materials in Duy Xuyen - a fertile alluvial plain from the Thu Bon River floodplain.
The aspiration to create agricultural products with a soul.
In 2015, Ms. Pham Thi Duy My gave birth to her first child. Insufficient breast milk caused her concern, prompting her to research nutrition more thoroughly. With her knowledge as a pharmacist and her keen insight into natural food research, she began making her own cereals from familiar grains like brown rice, black beans, green beans, lotus seeds, etc., to improve her health.
Interestingly, from the needs of herself, her family, and the patients she had interacted with in the pharmaceutical industry, Ms. My gradually realized the potential of products made from clean agricultural produce. The first batches of cereals not only "saved" the young mother but also ignited in her a greater desire to create healthy, clean food from seeds from her homeland.
The cooperative chose to coexist and develop alongside local farmers, utilizing readily available resources.
"I clearly understand that each product we create is not just a commodity, but also a source of pride in our local resources and a testament to the spirit of rural entrepreneurship," Ms. My shared.
The Duy Oanh Grain Cooperative was formed from that spirit. Unlike many purely production units, the cooperative chooses to coexist and develop alongside local farmers, utilizing the readily available raw materials in Duy Xuyen – a fertile alluvial plain from the Thu Bon River, famous for Tra Ly lotus, mung beans, corn, cashews, and other indigenous grains.
Beyond just production, Ms. My is also passionate about building the Duy Oanh brand as a symbol of kindness: "I want that when people think of Duy Oanh, they not only think of the products, but also of a rural area with people who farm with all their hearts," she said.
However, the path to entrepreneurship is not a bed of roses, especially for a woman living in the countryside who simultaneously carries the roles of mother and leader. Ms. My does not deny that there were times when she hesitated.
Ms. My is also passionate about building the Duy Oanh brand as a symbol of kindness.
Besides the challenges of funding, market, and product, what exhausted her the most was the pressure of time and family responsibilities. "If my husband and children don't understand, it's very difficult to fully dedicate myself to work. There were times when I had to struggle with my thoughts a lot before each long business trip or meeting with partners," Ms. My shared.
Modern women are confident and independent.
Ms. My's products are available in many localities.
Fortunately, her family was her support system, helping her move forward. She also received encouragement from the Women's Union at all levels. She vividly remembers 2022 as a turning point when she participated in the provincial-level "Creative Women's Entrepreneurship Ideas" competition and won first prize. This success gave her more confidence when she competed at the regional level in 2023, where she won an encouragement award and was honored with a commendation from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.
Also in that year, the Duy Xuyen District Women's Union supported the cooperative with 25 million VND to design packaging, labels, and promotional videos , a timely support to standardize products and elevate the brand.
Duy Oanh's products
"I myself was born into the Association. From the very beginning of this journey, I have received guidance, support, and encouragement from the Association. Thanks to that, I have been able to learn, confidently assert myself, and develop the Duy Oanh brand as it is today," she said gratefully.
Currently, the cooperative's products have expanded their market both within and outside the province, with many product lines made from nutritious grains. In 2025, Ms. My continued to win first prize for the effective production development model: "Duy Oanh Grains - Elevating Agricultural Products" organized by the Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee.
Based on her own experience, Ms. My wants to convey a positive message to young people, especially women who are nurturing their entrepreneurial dreams: "Starting a business is not easy, but if you have faith, thorough preparation, and timely support, anyone can turn their dreams into reality."
Ms. My (second from the left) introduces the product to a Japanese customer.
According to her, modern women are not only good at housework but also capable of effectively participating in social activities and economic development. Their meticulousness, sophistication, and flexibility—these distinctive qualities—are the strengths that help women succeed in entrepreneurship.
In particular, amidst the increasingly vibrant startup movement in Quang Nam province and the expanding programs supporting women, Ms. My believes that: "Modern-day women can confidently live and work according to the criteria of Vietnamese women in the new era: Confident - Self-respecting - Loyal - Capable."
Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/lam-nong-san-sach-tu-uoc-muan-con-minh-co-bua-an-du-chat-20250525213915813.htm
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