A green dream on feet of determination.
The scorching midday sun of Central Vietnam seemed to soften on the gentle smile of Ms. Pham Thi Phuong.
In Nghi Huong ward, Cua Lo town, if you ask about Ms. Pham Thi Phuong, many people will immediately remember this resilient woman. Although her life is always tied to a three-wheeled vehicle designed for people with disabilities, she remains confident and optimistic, as if she has never known pain or self-consciousness. Few would imagine that this petite woman is a second-generation victim of Agent Orange, with legs that have been almost completely immobile since birth.
But when I talked to her and heard her introduce the "Recirculating Hydroponic Water Spinach Farming" model, those physical limitations suddenly faded, completely overshadowed by her strong spirit and brimming with entrepreneurial aspirations.
Ms. Pham Thi Phuong with her garden of centella asiatica and products made from centella asiatica.
The entrepreneurial journey with Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola)
Having been confined to crutches and a wheelchair since childhood, life was not as easy as it was for her peers, but instead of becoming discouraged or insecure, it motivated Phuong to overcome adversity.
Graduating from Nghe An Medical College with a pharmacist's degree, she approached many medical facilities and businesses hoping to find work and contribute. However, due to transportation difficulties, no one dared to hire her. Undeterred, she opened a small pharmacy at home in 2010. Starting with just a few boxes of medicine, her shop gradually expanded, becoming a trusted source for people seeking health advice. With her solid expertise and dedication, she has steadily established her position in the community.
The more Phạm Thị Phượng delved into researching health care products, the more she cherished the desire to create her own clean, wholesome, and healthy products. With her knowledge as a pharmacist, she learned about the value of centella asiatica (Gotu Kola). This plant is also familiar and has a long history with the people of Nghi Hương, her hometown. Centella asiatica is not only a common vegetable in rural meals but also an ingredient in refreshing drinks that help alleviate the harsh heat of the coastal region. However, over time, with limited land and a growing population, the area for cultivating centella asiatica has been shrinking.
The method of growing water spinach using a recirculating hydroponic system helps create safe, chemical-free products, contributing to a green food supply chain.
Troubled by the question of how to effectively, safely, and sustainably preserve and develop the water spinach plant, Ms. Phuong decided to experiment with growing water spinach using a recirculating hydroponic system – a completely new approach for many local people.
Ms. Phuong stated: "The method of growing water spinach using a recirculating hydroponic system combines growing water spinach with raising fish, creating a symbiotic system that helps minimize environmental pollution and efficiently utilize land and water resources. This model will help create safe, chemical-free products, contributing to a green food supply chain; and create stable jobs for rural women and disabled women in the local area."
Ms. Phuong presented her business model at the 2024 Women's Entrepreneurship Competition.
She decided to invest 200 million VND to build a model for growing water spinach on an area of over 200m². The system includes more than 1,200m of perforated hydroponic pipes, creating a growing medium for the vegetables above, combined with fish ponds below. This combination creates a symbiotic ecosystem - where fish waste provides nutrients for the plants, while the plants filter the water, making the water environment cleaner for the fish to live in.
During the first harvest of the model, Ms. Phuong was overwhelmed with happiness when she harvested nearly 100 kg of finished centella leaves. The fresh, clean, chemical-free bundles of leaves quickly received a positive response from the market. After drying, the product became even more valuable and gained the trust of many customers. According to agricultural experts, the centella plants in her model are growing well, maintaining stable quality, and have the potential for widespread adoption in the area.
Ms. Phuong stated that the project not only demonstrates the success of a new agricultural method—instead of traditional farming methods, it can be implemented in a closed-loop, circular ecosystem, saving water and minimizing resource waste and environmental pollution—but also creates job opportunities for rural women, local women with disabilities, and motivates other disadvantaged people in society to improve their lives.
For women entrepreneurs, especially women with disabilities, every step forward, however small, is a big victory.
Ms. Pham Thi Phuong
Silent companions
On her entrepreneurial journey, although there are still difficulties and challenges ahead, Ms. Pham Thi Phuong always has companions and people by her side.
It is her family, and especially Mr. Phan Le Han - her life partner who always encourages her, giving her positive energy and strength to overcome all obstacles. It is the Women's Union at all levels - the bridge that allows Ms. Phuong to promote, introduce, and take her products further.
Her family and the Women's Union branches at all levels in Nghe An province have always supported Ms. Phuong on her entrepreneurial journey.
In 2024, Ms. Pham Thi Phuong's model was awarded the Encouragement Prize at the final round of the "Women's Creative Entrepreneurship and Green Transformation" competition organized by the Vietnam Women's Union. The award is not only a recognition of her tireless efforts but also a motivation for her to continue expanding the model, sowing dreams and hopes for a green journey – a journey of courage, love, and the aspiration to assert oneself for women.
Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/nu-duoc-si-khuyet-tat-uom-uoc-mo-xanh-tren-cay-rau-ma-20250509160407614.htm
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