"Golden rose" of Nghe An

(Baonghean) -Building her career from scratch, going through many hardships and difficulties, she now has a solid foundation. With a compassionate heart, she actively participates in charity work, helping and supporting those who are more disadvantaged than herself. She became the recipient of the "Golden Rose" Cup, a successful businesswoman from Nghe An...

Made from nothing

Born in 1959 in a poor farming family with 12 children, Nguyen Thi Thanh Xuan was independent early on and conscious of striving to study to escape poverty. In 1977, she attended Da Lat Pedagogical College, then continued her studies to university. After graduating, she volunteered to teach in the Don Duong highlands (Bao Loc, Lam Dong). The couple's meager teacher's salary was not enough to make ends meet. The couple worked hard raising pigs and chickens; picking tea seeds, spinning threads... to earn extra money. Due to family circumstances, in 1991, they resigned under the 176 regime and returned to their hometown to start a business. With enough capital, she discussed with her husband about opening a restaurant. At that time, Xuan Thuong restaurant was famous throughout Vinh city, and they were able to buy land and build a house.

Ms. Xuan (right) at the 2010 Vietnam Business Conference

In 1995, after visiting her husband's hometown in Nam Dinh, she saw that the handicraft industry was developing strongly, while in Vinh, there were not many people investing in this field. She discussed with her husband about changing the direction of business. With all the capital she had saved, plus borrowing from friends and relatives, she invested in trading wooden handicrafts. From a small workshop, thanks to her reputation in business, more and more customers came to her, she boldly expanded the scale of the workshop, diversified the business lines and established Xuan Thuong Company Limited with her as the director. She invited artisans from Nam Dinh to Vinh to teach the workers in the workshop; invested in modern equipment and technology in production. In addition, she also participated in all training courses, economic seminars, and management training courses; sending workers to participate in skill improvement competitions... Thanks to that, Xuan Thuong branded wooden products with beautiful designs, good quality, suitable for customers' tastes were brought to exhibitions in many places, participating in trade fairs in Singapore, Korea... with annual revenue of approximately 1.5 - 2 billion VND. In 2008, 2009, her company was awarded the "Golden Cup for excellent products and services"; 5 times received certificates of merit from the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises; and many certificates of merit from the Provincial People's Committee, Vinh City People's Committee...

Philanthropic businesswoman

Born and raised in a poor family, having experienced the subsidy period with many difficulties and hardships, she deeply understands the hardships of the poor. And she also understands that, in times of difficulty and adversity, having someone to help is so precious. She confided: “The memories of a difficult life are always in my memory. That is why, before each unfortunate life, I always worry and share with them with sincere feelings”. The first thing she does is to help people in difficulty to work in the company. Currently, her company has nearly 50 workers, many of whom have criminal records and now want to return to their families; many are homeless children; many disabled people are accepted by her, taught a trade, created jobs and stable income; she takes care of their marriage. She often encourages them to integrate into the community and improve their lives. Despite her busy schedule, she still takes the time to coordinate with the ward police to organize HIV/AIDS prevention propaganda sessions for workers; organize tours and vacations for workers... 100% of the company's employees are covered by social insurance, health insurance and enjoy other welfare regimes.

Ms. Xuan Thuong gives gifts to Agent Orange victims

With her heart, every year she shares hundreds of millions of dong from her profits with the poor. She has built 3 charity houses for poor families; regularly visits and gives gifts to families in need; takes care of orphans and homeless elderly people... She spends time going to remote mountainous districts to give gifts to poor students; and to people in areas affected by natural disasters and floods. "Every trip, to feel that there are still many poor people, many situations that need support, so let's work twice, three times harder to have money to support the needy..." She shared.

Not only is she a good businesswoman, but she is also an active and dynamic women's union officer; a dedicated front officer and Vice President of the Vinh City Women's Business Club.

With her contributions, she was honored to receive the "Golden Rose Cup" from the Vietnam Women's Union in 2008 and 2009; received a Certificate of Merit from the Provincial People's Committee and was awarded the title "Golden Heart" by Vinh City...

Tan Le