'Female General' of Modern Agriculture: Women Don't Need to Prove Their Strength Because They Show It Every Day

(Chinhphu.vn) - On the occasion of Vietnamese Women's Day October 20, a reporter from the Government E-newspaper had an interview with businesswoman Dang Huynh Uc My, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of AgriS, about the journey of inheriting, innovating and developing Vietnamese brands as well as the role and value of women in today's society.

Businesswoman Dang Huynh Uc My, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AgriS, always aspires to modernize agriculture , enhance farmers' value to develop sustainable agriculture - Photo: VGP

In the development journey of many Vietnamese brands, there are female entrepreneurs who choose the less traveled path with all their passion and aspiration. For entrepreneur Dang Huynh Uc My, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Thanh Thanh Cong - Bien Hoa Joint Stock Company (AgriS), agriculture is not simply about fields, a production sector, but also about responsibility and belief in the sustainable value of land, farmers and Vietnamese agricultural products.

From a young person who studied abroad, Ms. Dang Huynh Uc My returned to Vietnam with the aspiration to bring knowledge, technology and modern management models to build AgriS into a pioneering enterprise in high-tech agriculture, sustainable development and international integration.

Vietnam has many available advantages to develop high-tech agriculture and modern production.

Madam, looking back on your journey with AgriS, what makes you feel most proud? Can you share your aspirations and orientation since your time studying abroad as well as your efforts to make AgriS a leading high-tech agricultural enterprise today?

Entrepreneur Dang Huynh Uc My : I studied in New Zealand, a small country in the Southeast Pacific but has a comprehensive agricultural sector, agricultural products account for more than half of the country's exports. Agriculture contributes more than $8 billion to the national GDP - a significant number for a country of just over 5 million people. Farmers in New Zealand are supported by technology, knowledge and their agricultural products reach out to the world. At that time, I thought: "Vietnamese farmers, who are very talented and hard-working, if supported by technology - how far can knowledge reach?"

Vietnam has a long history in agriculture with favorable soil and climate conditions, hard-working farmers, and a team of talented and creative engineers. That is the advantage for developing high-tech agriculture - Photo: VGP

That concern kept urging me and led to my decision to return home. The first years were not easy, but a question always appeared in my mind: Vietnam has a long history in the agricultural sector with favorable soil and climate conditions, hard-working farmers, a team of talented and creative engineers, so why can't we get rich, increase farmers' income, and develop the country's economy from agriculture? Looking back at countries with developed agriculture, I always believe that if we are steadfast in the goal of "modernizing agriculture, enhancing the value of farmers", then the road, no matter how bumpy, will still reach the destination.

The deeper I go into reality, the more I realize that, to increase farmers' income, we must focus on developing high-tech agriculture and modern production.

It was those concerns that gave me the motivation and confidence to get to where I am today. What makes me proud is not the awards or revenue figures, but that AgriS has truly changed the way agriculture is done - applying technology, building sustainable raw material areas, developing a circular value chain and bringing Vietnamese products to the world.

AgriS invests heavily in high-tech agriculture, international cooperation, promotes technology transfer from partners such as Australia and Singapore, and applies the Oracle ERP system - a digital platform for business administration to optimize operations - Photo: VGP/HP

Vietnamese agriculture can completely compete globally if it knows how to do it right.

Her family has a strong foundation in the real estate and finance sectors - two pillars that bring stable profits. But she chose the challenging path of agriculture. Why did she decide to choose that "thorny" path and from the beginning, how did she shape the high-tech agricultural model at AgriS?

Entrepreneur Dang Huynh Uc My : When I first started, many people advised me to choose a more profitable field, because agriculture is a difficult industry, requires a lot of investment, a long payback period, low profits and high risks. But the passion from my student days for agriculture, the images of vast green sugarcane and coconut fields that not only bring traditional products as before but also create more high-quality products with added value have "guided" and urged me to choose a path that seems "bumpy" but is full of meaning and value for me and for everyone.

Now, looking back at the results, although not really as big as my dreams and wishes, I still see my decision as like the song "Everyone chooses the easy job, who will do the hard work?"

I started my career in agriculture starting with the sugar industry, not only because it is my family's traditional industry, but also because it is closely associated with tens of thousands of Vietnamese farming households. I want to work with them to change the way they do things, apply technology to production, so that sugarcane is truly "sweet" - sweet from efficiency, from trust and from the happiness of sugarcane growers.

AgriS applies technology to production, so that sugarcane is truly "sweet" - sweet from efficiency, from trust and from the happiness of sugarcane growers - Photo: VGP/HP

We invest heavily in high-tech agriculture, international cooperation, promote technology transfer from partners such as Australia, Singapore, apply Oracle ERP system - digital platform for business management to optimize operations, build raw material areas that meet international standards, integrate ESG practices into every stage of the operation process... And more importantly, we create a new mindset: Vietnamese agriculture can completely compete globally if we know how to do it right.

From sugarcane we create sugar, fertilizer, ethanol, electricity and even food CO₂. From coconuts we extract the full value – water, rice, fiber, shells and biomass energy. From data we create knowledge; from knowledge we create sustainable value by leveraging this precious resource.

The success of the business is the pride of the Vietnamese brand.

With the foundation of a multi-generational family business, how do you evaluate the role of family tradition in forming the corporate culture and brand identity of AgriS today?

Entrepreneur Dang Huynh Uc My : My parents always taught us that business is not only to get rich, but also to benefit the many people working for our business, for the farmers who accompany us and even higher, to create value for the community. That spirit permeates every step of AgriS.

From my parents, I learned perseverance, "trust" in business and kindness in dealing with people. When developing the business, I always keep the spirit of "sustainability must start with people", from employees, partners to local communities, all interest groups participating in the ecosystem participate, contribute and receive a fair sharing of benefits.

It is that tradition that creates the identity of AgriS: An enterprise that not only produces, not only does business, but also contributes to the development of the agricultural sector and the country, thereby creating humane and sustainable values ​​for society.

AgriS fully exploits the value of coconut trees – water, rice, fiber, shell and biomass energy - Photo: VGP/HP

As a new generation businesswoman, highly appreciated for her strategic thinking, innovative spirit and strong commitment to sustainable development, she has led and created a new direction for AgriS. In your opinion, what are the factors that help AgriS inherit and promote the strength of tradition to constantly innovate and reach out to the global market?

Businesswoman Dang Huynh Uc My : I think the secret lies in the balance between "preservation" and "change". Maintain the core values ​​of trust, humanity, and social responsibility; but innovate in management thinking, in technology application, and in market approach.

We have transformed from a traditional manufacturing enterprise to a platform providing smart agricultural solutions, building a high-tech circular agricultural ecosystem based on three strategic pillars, AgTech – FoodTech – FinTech.

AgriS is now present in more than 80 countries, exporting products to the most demanding markets such as Europe, Japan, Korea, etc. Every time I see my brand appear abroad, I see it not only as a business success, but also as a pride of a Vietnamese brand - crystallized from the entrepreneurial spirit of the family and the aspirations of the young generation.

Taking over AgriS from your mother's generation, what have you done to ensure the preservation of core values, while ensuring creative space for the breakthroughs AgriS has achieved in the past and will continue to achieve in the future?

Entrepreneur Dang Huynh Uc My: I am lucky to have inherited a very open-minded spirit from my parents. My family always believes that inheritance does not mean copying, but continuing and developing.

We build a transparent governance mechanism, empower the younger generation, respect differences in thinking and encourage creativity. I believe that only when generations look in the same direction and respect each other, can the business develop sustainably over time. AgriS today is not only a legacy of tradition, but also a playground of the future.

Businesswoman Dang Huynh Uc My believes: Women do not need to prove their mettle because they demonstrate it every day, in the fields, in factories, in the marketplace or in the family - Photo: VGP/HP

Recently, the US Fortune Magazine announced the list of Top 100 most influential women in Asia 2025, in which you are one of four representatives from Vietnam. What values ​​do you hope to spread from the journey of bringing Vietnamese agriculture to the world to the farming community and to women who are engaged in business and Vietnamese agriculture?

Businesswoman Dang Huynh Uc My : I believe that women, regardless of their role, can spread positive energy, determination and kindness. Women do not need to prove their abilities because they demonstrate it every day. In the fields, in the factory, in the marketplace or in the family, they are creating value for society.

I want AgriS to become a model of green, circular, and human-oriented agricultural enterprise. You can learn about the AgriS model through the book "Right to Win - 'Winning Door' of Vietnamese Agriculture" edited by me.

The book contains the values ​​​​and lessons learned that AgriS has implemented in the journey of transforming its business from a traditional manufacturing enterprise to a comprehensive agricultural solution provider through technology integration, digitalization and commitment to ESG values. I believe that the book will bring interesting lessons to anyone - from farmers to administrators, women or men - who can find inspiration in this book.

And above all, I hope that my journey - from a young woman choosing a difficult path, to building a solid brand with a team can inspire other women: Believe in yourself, dare to do what you believe is right and don't be afraid to start from the smallest things. Because sometimes, from those simple sugarcane trees, we can create the sweetness of an entire industry, and more than that, the sweetness of Vietnamese faith.

Minh Thi (performed)

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/nu-tuong-nong-nghiep-hien-dai-phu-nu-khong-can-chung-minh-ban-linh-vi-ho-dang-the-hien-no-moi-ngay-102251019185352453.htm