Empowering women in digital economy development, green economy, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship.

This was the theme of a workshop recently organized by the Can Tho City Union of Friendship Organizations in collaboration with the Center for Women's Development in the Mekong Delta and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF/Germany). The workshop offered many insights and inspired young workers, especially women, about starting businesses. In the context of the digital and green economy, empowering women in economic development is a key concern for many women, as it is an objective trend in the development process linked to the goal of gender equality.

Báo Cần Thơ•03/09/2025

Startup efforts

Choosing the path of producing and trading medicinal products, focusing on consumer health, in 2017, pharmacist Doan Thi Hong Tham decided to start her own business, establishing Hygie & Panacee One-Member Limited Company. Hygie and Panacee are the names of the two daughters of the ancient Greek god of health (Asclepius), specializing in growing and processing medicinal herbs for people's health. Ms. Tham's goal is to exploit and enhance the value of medicinal herbs from agricultural products, creating products beneficial to human health. Unlike tea brewed with water and then discarded, medicinal teas are processed in powder form, containing concentrated active ingredients that dissolve quickly in warm water when consumed. Since 2019, the company has launched various medicinal teas on the market: ginger-lemongrass tea, passionflower tea, purple basil tea, houttuynia cordata tea, chamomile tea, etc. Ms. Tham is also interested in promoting her products on domestic and international e-commerce platforms. The social media platform… has been well-received and supported by customers. Currently, her herbal tea production facility is operating stably, with a production line meeting ISO 22000:2018 standards (international food safety certification).

The exhibition showcased OCOP products and startup businesses and cooperatives owned by women at the workshop "Empowering Women in Digital Economy Development, Green Economy, Digital Transformation and Business Startups".

Ms. Chau Ngoc Diu is a Khmer woman from An Giang province. She successfully started her own business selling palm sugar syrup under the brand Palmania. Ms. Diu shared: “Palmania has two product lines: organic and 100% pure natural. With the dream of elevating the value of our hometown products, Palmania invests in technology to produce delicious palm sugar syrup in attractive packaging, while preserving the nutritional content of this gift from nature.” Currently, the products are sold in safe food stores, clean food stores, large supermarkets in many provinces and cities, and on e-commerce platforms. Notably, this specialty product has also been exported to demanding markets in Europe and has won many international awards.

In recent years, women nationwide, and particularly in Can Tho City, have played a significant role in economic development. Many successful production and business models have emerged, enriching themselves while creating jobs for local workers. Notable examples include the bamboo and rattan entrepreneurship model of Ms. Truong Thi Bach Thuy, Head Representative of Thuy Tuyet Bamboo and Rattan Cooperative; and Ms. Lu Thi Nhat Hang, Director of Ngu Thuong Mekong Cooperative, which produces circular economy agricultural products . Many women entrepreneurs and business owners have actively and effectively participated in the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program.

Supporting women to enhance their economic empowerment.

At the workshop "Empowering Women in Digital Economy Development, Green Economy, Digital Transformation, and Entrepreneurship," Ms. Le Thuy Ngoc Lan, Vice President of the Union of Friendship Organizations of Can Tho City, stated: "In the country's process of reform, integration, and sustainable development, Vietnamese women have always been an important force, making significant contributions in all fields. Especially in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, along with the trend of developing a green economy and a digital economy, the role of women is increasingly affirmed. Many women participate in the process of starting businesses, innovating, developing sustainable and environmentally friendly business models, and applying digital technology to improve production and business efficiency."

However, according to experts, the 4.0 revolution opens up many new job opportunities but also brings many challenges for female workers. Women still face many barriers and limitations in accessing capital, technology, and market information; lack management skills; and social prejudices still exist… Ms. Ngo Thi Tuyet Em, Director of the Center for Women's Development in the Mekong Delta, said: “Despite many support programs and policies, women in the Mekong Delta still face difficulties in accessing stable jobs and their income is not commensurate with their skills. The rate of female workers receiving vocational training in the Mekong Delta is the lowest in the country, about 13.2%, while the national average is 20%. Many women still lack the skills to become self-employed, switch careers, and lack soft skills that make it difficult to meet the needs of the labor market: services, industry, logistics…”.

Dr. Cao Minh Tuan, from the School of Economics, Can Tho University, stated: “International studies show that women generally have lower access to the internet and technology than men, especially in developing countries. A report by the UN Development Coordination Office (2025) also indicates that women in rural areas and ethnic minorities face more difficulties in accessing digital skills, technological devices, and online entrepreneurship opportunities… Dr. Cao Minh Tuan believes that digital transformation is becoming a national strategy, so fully exploiting the potential of the female workforce should be considered one of the strategic priority policies.”

At the workshop, many opinions suggested that the Party and State need to establish comprehensive, synchronized, and multi-faceted programs and policies to help address difficulties and challenges, thereby increasing employment opportunities for women; continue to build programs supporting gender equality and professional training for female workers and leaders to ensure they participate in and benefit from the development of the digital economy in a fair and sustainable manner. In addition, there is a need for preferential capital support policies for businesses with a high percentage of female employees; organize digital transformation training programs specifically for rural women; and form a network of green and circular agricultural businesses, creating a space for connection between production, consumption, and the market. Along with this, the issue is that women must maintain their faith, resilience, and creativity, boldly pioneering innovation and sustainable development.

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