It was the first time that Vietnamese businesswomen have been honoured when the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) co-operated with the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women’s Union to present the ‘Golden Rose’ awards to 21 outstanding businesswomen in 2005. At the award presentation, the theme ‘women in business and integration’ was discussed and shared by businesswomen.
During the resistance wars against foreign aggressors, Vietnamese women made significant contributions. They are now making their contributions to Vietnam’s international economic integration. At present, the number of enterprises which are run by women accounts for 21 per cent. This is still modest in comparison to the rest of the world but significant in Vietnam. Addressing the award presentation ceremony, Vice President Truong My Hoa said that competition often impacted women during the renovation process and brought women certain achievements in socio-economic development. The vice president said that the Party and State were combining to encourage women to get further involved in production and business activities.
Enterprises run by women are seen in many fields, mainly concentrated in textile and garments, handicrafts and services. Businesswomen are now involved in banking, transportation and electronics, which previously were considered exclusively male domains. Many businesswomen have succeeded in these fields. Nguyen Thi Nga, chief executive of the Technical and Commercial Joint stock Bank (Techcombank), has made contributions to building up the bank into a leading joint stock bank in northern Vietnam. Another example is Ho Thi Kim Thoa, chief executive and general director of the Dien Quang Bulb Joint stock Company, who make products under the Dien Quang trademark famous among Vietnamese and foreign consumers. In recognition of their contributions and achievements, they were presented the ‘Golden Rose’ award.
However, Nga said that there was still discrimination between businessmen and businesswomen. She went on to explain that men thought that women succeeded in business activities thanks to luck or sometimes their beauty, instead of their intelligence. To beat discrimination, a businesswoman should have self- confidence, straightforwardness, irrevocability and detail. Talking about how a businesswoman could manage her business and family affairs, Dang Phuong Dung, general director of the Garment 10 Joint stock Company, said that due to her busy business activities, a businesswoman should arrange her family affairs in a reasonable manner.
Also at the ceremony, Tran Thi Thuy, vice president of VCCI, said that the VCCI Businesswomen’s Council would create more favourable conditions for businesswomen to tap their potential, making a further contribution to gender equality in Vietnam.
Nguyen Thoa
Vietnamese
