Vietnamese female entrepreneurs: Pioneers in digital transformation and sustainable development

(Chinhphu.vn) - In the context of explosive innovation and digital transformation, Vietnamese female entrepreneurs have affirmed their increasingly important position. Vietnamese women are proving that they are not only a solid rear base, but also a pioneering force in bringing the Vietnamese economy to new heights in the new era.

Representatives of female experts and entrepreneurs exchanged at the Forum - Photo: VGP/HT

Vietnamese female entrepreneurs reach new heights in the new era

On October 22, the 2025 Women Entrepreneurs Forum with the theme "Women Entrepreneurs Reaching Out in the New Era" and the award ceremony of "Outstanding Vietnamese Women Entrepreneurs - Golden Rose 2025" took place in Hanoi .

The event was directed by the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), in coordination with the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council and the Business Forum Magazine, to honor 98 outstanding female entrepreneurs nationwide.

In his opening speech, Mr. Pham Tan Cong, Chairman of VCCI, emphasized that in recent times, the Politburo has issued four important Resolutions, creating a strong institutional foundation to promote national development, including Resolution 57-NQ/TW on science, technology and innovation development.

The VCCI leader quoted General Secretary To Lam's statement: "Science, technology, innovation and digital transformation are the golden key, the vital factor to overcome the middle-income trap and the risk of falling behind." According to him, this is "the golden time for Vietnamese enterprises, especially those owned by women, to break through, seize the opportunity for innovation and deep integration."

The President of VCCI commented that Vietnamese female entrepreneurs are facing an important crossroads: either stopping at traditional roles, or breaking through to become a pioneering force in the era of innovation associated with sustainable development.

"Reaching out is not only about expanding scale, but also about improving knowledge, technology, management thinking and global integration ability. It is also about humane leadership, harmonious application of technology, business development while still balancing economic - social - human benefits", the Chairman of VCCI emphasized.

Mr. Pham Tan Cong, Chairman of VCCI, speaks - Photo: VGP/HT

According to Mr. Pham Tan Cong, VCCI orients its development according to three strategic pillars. These are: Consulting and recommending policies to build a fair and favorable business environment, encouraging the development of women-owned enterprises; Supporting enterprises to improve their competitiveness, apply technology, develop green and sustainable; Strengthening international connections, helping Vietnamese entrepreneurs integrate into the global network.

Mr. Pham Tan Cong affirmed that the Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council is a typical representative organization accompanying female entrepreneurs on the journey of development, spreading knowledge, innovation and humanistic values.

"VCCI believes that, with a strong desire to rise, a spirit of innovation and integration capacity, Vietnamese female entrepreneurs will continue to be an important force in the economy," said the VCCI President.

Mr. Iain Frew, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Vietnam, highly appreciated the strong development of Vietnamese female entrepreneurs – a force that is making important contributions to growth and promoting gender equality.

Mr. Iain Frew said that the UK will continue to accompany Vietnam in developing the private economy, improving the business environment and supporting women enterprises through international cooperation and connection programs.

According to Mr. Iain Frew, although businesses led by women account for only a small proportion of total global venture capital, they have higher performance when given equal opportunities. He emphasized the need to create more opportunities for female entrepreneurs to promote their strengths, especially in the digital and innovation fields.

Mr. Iain Frew, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Vietnam speaks - Photo: VGP/HT

Mr. Nguyen Hoa Cuong, Deputy Director of the Institute for Policy and Strategy Studies, analyzed the context of globalization 2.0, which is opening up new opportunities but also many challenges. According to him, AI, green transformation and ESG standards are irreversible trends, requiring Vietnamese businesses to adapt quickly.

Innovation is no longer a slogan but has become a vital need for businesses. Digitalizing processes and applying technology to management will help businesses improve productivity, save costs and expand markets. A series of new economic models such as digital economy, circular economy, data economy, night economy, green economy - directions to help businesses, especially women businesses, unlock new potential in the coming time.

"The fact that textile and garment enterprises apply ESG standards is proof of the parallel benefits between 'green development' and 'sales growth', because large corporations increasingly prioritize 'green' and socially responsible products," Mr. Cuong cited an example.

Promoting potential and opportunities for female entrepreneurs

Ms. Zoe Dayan, Senior Policy Reform Attaché, UK Mission to ASEAN, shared 3 core solutions to promote the development of women-owned businesses.

Firstly, institutional reform and protection of intellectual property rights help female entrepreneurs build and maintain transparent and sustainable brands;

Second, promote access to finance, especially venture capital, support programs, and STEM scholarships for women;

Third, digital innovation is linked to a network connecting female entrepreneurs, aiming to improve leadership and management capacity.

"Increasing the proportion of female leaders is the most effective approach to promote sustainable development. Female leaders have flexible thinking, high adaptability and contribute different perspectives in solving business challenges," Ms. Zoe Dayan emphasized.

The discussion session "Developing women-owned businesses in the digital and innovation era" moderated by Mr. Dau Anh Tuan, Deputy Secretary General, Head of the Legal Department of VCCI, attracted many practical and inspiring opinions.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh Giao, Deputy General Director of BIDV - Photo: VGP/HT

Mr. Pham Duc Nghiem, Deputy Director of the Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises (Ministry of Science and Technology), said that the Ministry is concretizing Resolution 57-NQ/TW by building and perfecting 9 major laws, and deploying 7 groups of solutions and 14 key targets to create a favorable environment for innovative businesses. In addition, the Ministry also proposed to establish a National Venture Capital Fund, promote the sandbox mechanism in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, as well as form an ecosystem to support female entrepreneurs in technology development.

Aiming for sustainable development, Ms. Le Hong Thuy Tien, General Director of IPPG Group, shared three strategic pillars including smart automation, digital economy - smart commerce and investment in AI knowledge. According to her, technology is the "key to survival", and IPPG will continue to accompany small and medium-sized female enterprises to promote innovation and create equal development opportunities.

Similarly, Ms. Huynh Thi Ngoc Truc, Deputy General Director of Human Resources of Coca-Cola Vietnam, said that the Group aims to have women occupy 50% of leadership positions by 2030 (currently 42%), and at the same time encourage women to participate more deeply in the supply chain and production.

In addition, Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh Giao, Deputy General Director of BIDV, emphasized that nearly 60% of BIDV's staff are women, with 99% of personal customer managers being women. BIDV has implemented the BIDV Women & Wealth program, aiming to support finance, investment and health care for female customers, while connecting the female business community.

“Women have strong creativity, and it is that creativity that will create breakthroughs for businesses and society,” Ms. Giao affirmed.

Mr. Minh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/nu-doanh-nhan-viet-nam-tien-phong-trong-chuyen-doi-so-va-phat-trien-ben-vung-102251022125710049.htm