Pioneering youth leader in startups

With courage, intelligence and the spirit of daring to think and dare to do, Ha Thi Vy not only started a successful business but also strongly inspired local youth.

Ha Thi Vy - Secretary of the Cau Thia Ward Youth Union, Head of the Chili Export Cooperative Group checks the growth process of chili plants.

In recent years, the start-up movement among young people in mountainous ethnic minority areas has become increasingly widespread. Among the typical young faces, Ha Thi Vy, Tay ethnic group - Secretary of the Cau Thia Ward Youth Union, Head of the Chili Export Cooperative is a prominent example, recently recognized by the Central Youth Union as a typical young person in 2025.

In 2019, when she was the Secretary of the Thanh Luong Commune Youth Union (formerly), Vy was sent to visit the chili growing model in Phu Tho . Returning, with the knowledge base from the University of Agriculture and Forestry, she boldly converted 2,000 m² of rice land to grow green chili for export to Japan.

Green chili pepper variety for export is popular in the market.

The first crop in 2020 yielded 5.5 tons/ha, with an average selling price of 6,500 VND/kg, opening a new direction for local economic development.

Realizing the potential, Vy mobilized relatives and youth union members to join. By 2021, 24 households had registered to grow chili on an area of ​​4.5 hectares.

In January 2022, the Chili Export Cooperative was established, with Vy as the Head. By 2024, the group had grown to 60 members with 245 people, mainly Muong, Thai, and Tay ethnic groups.

The cooperative under the leadership of Ha Thi Vy is not only a place for production organization, but also an environment for learning, applying technical advances and effectively linking with businesses.

Seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides are supplied according to the technical procedures of GOC Food Processing Company Limited. Thanks to close links, 100% of products are purchased stably by the enterprise, creating trust for people to expand their acreage.

The chili fields grow green and lush, bringing bumper crops.

Ha Thi Vy visited the bitter melon seed growing model of youth union members in Cau Thia ward.

The economic efficiency of the model is very clear: annual output reaches 450 - 500 tons, revenue over 3 billion VND; creating stable jobs for 60 - 80 rural youth workers. Income reaches 350 million VND/ha/year from growing chili for export and about 400 million VND/ha/year from growing cucumber.

Not only does it bring economic benefits, the model also creates positive changes in social life. Before joining the cooperative, there were 5 poor and near-poor households; by 2024, the cooperative no longer has any poor or near-poor households. The chili growing movement has also spread to 17/39 residential groups of Cau Thia ward.

Union member Lo Van Nam shared: Ms. Vy is an inspirational example, helping us boldly change our thinking and confidently start a business right in our hometown.

Buffalo farming model brings high income to Youth Union member Lo Van Nam.

Ha Thi Vy's efforts were recognized with many awards: the 19th Luong Dinh Cua Award in 2024; one of 36 outstanding ethnic minority youths honored by the Central Youth Union in 2025.

Besides chili, cucumber is also an economically effective crop of the Chili Export Cooperative.

Cau Thia Ward currently has 10 ethnic groups living together, of which the Thai ethnic group accounts for more than 66%, Muong 16%, Kinh 13%, the rest are Tay, Dao, Mong, Nung, Kho Mu. Thanks to the guidance of dedicated leaders like Ha Thi Vy, many young people have changed their mindset, boldly started their own businesses, increased their income, and at the same time preserved the local cultural identity.

Secretary of the Cau Thia Ward Youth Union, Ha Thi Vy, worries: I always want to find a way for young people not to leave their hometown but still have the opportunity to develop. I am willing to accompany, guide techniques, and share experiences so that you can confidently try your best. When each young person succeeds, the community will develop together.

Thanks to growing chili for export, the lives of many households in Cau Thia ward have changed significantly.

From the journey of a determined Tay ethnic girl to an outstanding female leader of the Central Youth Union, Ha Thi Vy has proven that with knowledge, courage and a desire to contribute, young people can completely create an economic model that brings practical value to the community.

Ha Thi Vy is a model of the youth startup movement, knowing how to master knowledge, knowing how to join hands to foster identity and develop the homeland sustainably.

in the province

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/thu-linh-thanh-nien-tien-phong-khoi-nghiep-post887814.html