Youth incubator for economic development, poverty reduction in border areas

Giving trust, nurturing aspirations

The above model is one of the passions and efforts of female youth "leader" Le Thi Linh, who was awarded the "October 15" Award in 2025 by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union.

Ms. Linh grew up in the difficult borderland of Long Phieng. After graduating from the Vietnam Youth Academy, she decided to return to her hometown and actively contribute to the work of the Union, Association, and youth movement.

The more involved she is in the activity, the more she understands and worries about the fact that many young people leave their homeland to find jobs, while those who stay behind struggle with a lack of capital and experience.

Ms. Le Thi Linh was Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union of Long Phien commune from 2022 to before July 2025. She is currently Secretary of the Youth Union of Hin Te village and continues to participate in the Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union of Long Phieng commune (new).

That concern became the motivation for Ms. Linh to take action. She researched and built a model for youth in border areas to develop the economy , eliminate hunger and reduce poverty, helping young people have goals and directions to build and develop the economy, and boldly start a business in the locality.

In 2022, the "Youth Incubator" model was deployed by the Long Phien Commune Youth Union. As Deputy Secretary of the Long Phien Commune Youth Union, Ms. Linh actively mobilized and connected with the Long Phien Border Guard Station and many other resources to deploy the model.

Ms. Linh said that after being carefully selected, the seedlings were brought to the garden and cared for by the youth union members to adapt to the local climate and soil. Only when the trees were truly healthy and ready would they be given away.

"This method takes more effort but ensures the highest survival and growth rate of the plants," said Ms. Linh.

In addition, Ms. Linh and the Commune Youth Union Executive Committee also actively coordinate and organize activities to equip knowledge and experience for young people to escape poverty sustainably, such as visiting effective economic models, training courses, and inviting experienced people to exchange and share.

Connect, reach out

Not stopping at the nursery model, Ms. Le Thi Linh also successfully mobilized 22 young people to switch from growing corn and mango to fruit trees with higher economic value on sloping land; and guided and supported young people to apply for loans from the Social Policy Bank to develop production.

Seeing that people had a good harvest but had difficulty finding outlets, she set up a channel to sell agricultural products through e-commerce platforms, connecting with the 26/3 Youth Cooperative to livestream sales on the TikTok platform. The livestream sessions selling dried plums and fresh plums not only helped sell the products but also promoted the dynamic image of Long Phieng youth.

Ms. Linh herself is also a pioneer. Her family's garden uses modern care techniques to produce off-season plums that sell for high prices. She smiled and said: "As a Youth Union official, I have to go first and do it first. When I do it effectively and my colleagues trust me, then I will follow suit."

Ms. Le Thi Linh (red shirt) received the "October 15" award. Photo: Xuan Tung

With her tireless contributions, Ms. Le Thi Linh and the Vietnam Youth Union Committee of Long Phieng commune have received many certificates of merit from all levels. But perhaps the greatest reward for this 9X leader is to see the gardens on the border land becoming greener day by day, and to see the bright smiles of young people who dare to stay, start a business and get rich on their homeland.

After nearly 3 years of implementation, the "Youth Nursery" has grown hundreds of plum and coffee seedlings and given them to young people in especially difficult circumstances, helping them with initial "capital" on their journey to build a happy and prosperous life.

Mr. Nguyen Van Phu (Quynh Phieng Youth Union) is one of the first people to receive support from the Commune Youth Union for plum trees from the "Youth Nursery" model. Up to now, his plum garden is growing well, preparing for the first harvest season.

"We are very happy to see Mr. Phu's garden growing and about to bear fruit. It is not only his achievement, but also proof that our approach is on the right track," said Ms. Linh.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/vuon-uom-thanh-nien-phat-trien-kinh-te-xoa-doi-giam-ngheo-vung-phen-dau-post1787965.tpo