Golden Rose Awards: Honour and Motive

 

This year’s Golden Rose Cup went to 36 businesswomen, voted on by the VCCI Businesswomen Council and Vietnam Women’s Union. Besides, 68 outstanding women were awarded certificates of merit in the evening of recognition. According to many businesswomen, the awards are a strong driving force as women face more difficulties than men. A businesswoman must fulfil the responsibilities of a company leader as well as the duties of a wife and a mother.

 

Speaking at the award ceremony, Vice President Truong My Hoa highly appreciated the contributions of Vietnamese women in all social and economic fields in the renovation process. Hoa said “So many professors, doctors and scientists are women. Many were voted to hold key positions in important organisations. Especially, 27.31 per cent of Vietnamese parliamentarians are women, the highest rate in Asia and one of the world’s highest.” She also expressed her desire and trust that the Golden Rose 2006 is not only a recognition of businesswomen’s services in the past year, but also a driving force for them to continue the effort and pick up more “Gold Rose” awards in the following years.

 

According to the VCCI, businesswomen now lead only 25 per cent of enterprises but the rate may be 30-40 per cent in household businesses. Therefore, encouragement for women taking part in social and organisational activities should be stronger. The awarding of the “Golden Rose” Cup for outstanding businesswomen in 2006 is one of many activities of the VCCI Businesswomen Council to support, honour and encourage women to further engage in business. Ms Tran Thi Thuy, Vice President of VCCI and Chairwoman of Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs' Council said the award is not only an honour for outstanding businesswomen, but also an honour for all businesswomen in the country because they all overcome difficulties and hindrances as well as strict social preconceptions to enrich their families and the society.

 

My most difficult time was when I began with the investment and development of industrial zones. When working with investors, I tried to show myself to persuade them to put their trust on me - a woman. I also understood that their beliefs were built from practical life. I spent my time studying Vietnamese laws meticulously, especially Investment Law. After that, I made summaries to inform investors. Besides, we also provided information before and after the investment. Our purpose was to bring these projects smoothly and effectively into operation. I also understood that when projects operate effectively, thousands of Vietnamese people escape from poverty and this also would provide a stable source of income.

 

To date, more than 200 investors, including nearly 100 foreign investors, chose our industrial zones for their investment projects. Investors brought some US$1.4 billion to the zone. I thought of practical life as providing lively evidence for investors. At the same time, this also introduced efforts of the Vietnamese Government to improve the investment environment. I knew that women working in other fields had similar difficulties to mine. Hence, I wanted to say that apart from the beauty and charm, businesswomen were equipped with another sparkling beauty - the beauty of Vietnamese knowledge.

 

 

As a recipient of one of the 36 golden roses granted by VCCI, I feel I am very lucky and proud. However, I think of my responsibilities to the development of my company in particular and the businesswoman community in general.

 

Ngoc Thien Co. Ltd, which specialises in providing restaurant services and vocational training (mainly for the disabled and orphans), is running 10 restaurants, all named Noi Nho (Nostalgia), and one vocational training centre. 30 per cent of graduated students from our centre can work at our company. Quang Ninh Province’s People’s Committee highly appreciated our activities and created favourable conditions for us to expand operational scope. Ngoc Thien is a small company. Hence, we will face certain difficulties in the first years of Vietnam’s WTO admission. We will improve our working skills to develop in a more competitive environment.

 

My success today comes not only from my own efforts, but also from support and sharing of my families and relatives. In my opinion, the Golden Rose Cup is a noble prize for the contributions of businesswomen to the country and the society. This is also a present of gratitude to the families and relatives of successful businesswomen. I am very happy when our business is going on the right track. Tien Loc now employs 700 workers with an average monthly salary of over VND2 million.

Our company, set up 10 years ago, manufactures Fashion motorcycles and trades the two-wheeler. Fashion motorbike is made from imported components and domestic parts under modern technologies. We are very proud of Fashion - the pride of the Vietnamese motorbike industry. At present, Tien Loc motorbike models are being sold very well in the domestic market, especially the 125-cc Sapphire scooters.