Mekong Delta Women Drive Sustainable Prosperity Through Local Treasures

Date: October 28, 2025
Source: Vietnam Law & Legal Forum Magazine

Introduction

Women entrepreneurs in the Mekong Delta are transforming native products into sustainable businesses, contributing significantly to the region’s economic growth while addressing climate change challenges. Their business models emphasize local specialties and sustainable agriculture, incorporating organic, circular, and green practices that align with growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products.

Revitalizing Traditional Crafts

In Cần Thơ’s Thuận Hòa Commune, Trương Thị Bạch Thủy leads the Thủy Tuyết Rattan and Bamboo Cooperative, modernizing a 100-year-old Khmer weaving tradition. By innovating designs and diversifying products—like pen boxes and furniture made from bamboo and rattan—the cooperative produces thousands of items monthly, generating over VNĐ1 billion (~US$40,000) annually. This enterprise provides stable income for 32 cooperative members and over 60 women in neighboring areas, earning roughly VNĐ4–5 million (~US$160–200) per month. The cooperative has earned national accolades, highlighting women’s entrepreneurship and cultural preservation.

Leveraging Unique Local Resources

In Cà Mau Province, Trần Thị Xa transformed the local ba khía crab into an OCOP-certified specialty brand. Over seven years, her Đầm Dơi Ba Khía Cooperative expanded its product line—from frozen crabs to ready-to-eat seasoned varieties—generating jobs and supporting hundreds of workers. This effort exemplifies sustainable entrepreneurship by harnessing natural mangrove resources and modern processing technology.

In Vĩnh Long Province, Thạch Thị Chal Thi and Sokfarm Co., Ltd. have taken coconut flower nectar products onto international markets including the US, Europe, and Japan. Their integrated value chain supports local farmers amid environmental challenges like drought and salt intrusion by maximizing the economic value of coconut resources.

Similarly, in An Giang’s Tri Tôn District, Châu Ngọc Dịu’s Palmania palm sugar brand is certified organic by European, US, and Canadian standards, representing the first Vietnamese palm sugar brand to enter global markets. Her venture protects Khmer cultural heritage and promotes health-oriented, safe production methods.

Empowerment and Policy Support

Officials from the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and local Women’s Unions stress that adaptation and resilience underpin these successes. The region’s women-led initiatives span handicrafts, organic farming, and community tourism, balancing economic development with cultural preservation.

Provincial Women’s Unions in Cà Mau report over 327,000 women members, with collective enterprises providing monthly incomes ranging VNĐ2.5 to 7 million (~US$100–280). Government-backed projects, such as the National Project 939 (2017–2025) and cooperative support initiatives aiming for 2030, facilitate startup growth and job creation for women.

Academic experts note shifting social attitudes toward women entrepreneurs and emphasize the importance of awareness, credit access, vocational training, and targeted support programs in fostering entrepreneurship.

Challenges and Future Outlook

While national policies aid women’s entrepreneurship broadly, experts urge tailored measures to address the Mekong Delta’s specific climatic and socio-economic conditions. Success hinges on women’s adaptability—transforming mindsets, embracing new technologies, and innovating cultivation and production methods to yield higher-quality, sustainable agricultural products.

With enhanced policy frameworks and continued collaboration with organizations and experts, female entrepreneurs in the Mekong Delta are poised to lead the region toward a green, climate-resilient economy—showcasing a model of sustainable prosperity deeply rooted in heritage and environmental stewardship.

Sources: Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Việt Nam Women’s Union, Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)
Photographs: VNA/VNS Photos by Thu Hiền & Huỳnh Anh

Tags: Sustainable Agriculture, Women Entrepreneurship, Mekong Delta, Organic Products, Climate Resilience, Vietnamese Startups

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