Luckily, we had the chance to meet Ms Hoang Thi Hong, an executive member of VCCI term 5, Chairwoman cum CEO of Hai Binh Trade and Tourism Joint Stock Company, to discuss the outputs of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), its uncompleted tasks, and the new expectations for the next term. Instead of meeting at the office, she arranged an appointment with us at the Kim Co Temple for worshipping Tam Queen, nickname of talented Nguyen Phi Y Lan located on Duong Thanh street right in the city centre. This is one of the typical historical-cultural relics belonging to the memorial monument system of Nguyen Phi Y Lan in Hanoi and surrounding areas.
Ms Hong has gone through difficulties and obstacles in life to become a successful businesswoman, and is referred to as a strong-willed person. When asked about the efforts of VCCI in supporting business community in recent years, she affirmed that in the context of the difficult economy, with the roles of connecting the state and businesses, VCCI has given advice to the Government in making mechanisms, policies and measures to support enterprises overcome difficulties. At the same time, VCCI has also collected opinions of businesses to convey them to the authorities of the State in the formulation of legal policies, the administrative procedure reform and the business environment improvement.
VCCI term 5 has managed to address many issues in the business community such as supporting businesses in lending interest rate so that firms have enough capital for producing and trading. In particular, Ms Hoang Thi Hong stressed the role of VCCI as a bridge connecting the State and firms in the upcoming time when the economy and the business community are forecast to still be coping with more challenges. It is not easy to fix the shortcomings and weaknesses of the economy and the business community in the short term. Simultaneously implementing two tasks of macroeconomic stabilisation and economic restructuring in order to increase competitiveness and ensure sustainable development in the context of deeper international integration under the impact of multi-lateral and bilateral free trade agreements such as Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, ASEAN-EU free trade agreement, ASEAN economy community, etc., is the critical demand of the economy which requires the holistic effort of political system and the business community. The businesswoman also expected more solidarity among businesses and entrepreneurs under the VCCI leadership with the hope of creating a bright future for Vietnam’s business community in the upcoming time.
In the thousand-year-old pagoda located in the heart of Hanoi, with an assertive and calm voice, Ms Hoang Thi Hong attracted us and led our story to the topic of Buddhist philosophy. In the image of a successful businesswoman, people hardly think that she experienced many ups and downs through her life and even had “no childhood”. The story of the VCCI executive committee and the story of her life brought many surprises to us and made us admire her strong will and continuous efforts. Life is never easy for this woman. She was abandoned right after she was born. To survive, she had to purchase rice, fabric, and even float on the sea for ten days for delivery, cooperating with sailors for purchasing overseas products, and selling waste oil for brick ovens. All experience in the past and her firm spirit contributed to her current success.
So far, Hai Binh Company has flourished with two transport stations on waterway and land, 15 sea freighters, four tank trucks, three 5,000m3 petrol storehouses, a petroleum store. Because the company also puts trust on top, market is continuously expanding in a short time. Their partners are large industrial factories, corporations in many provinces nationwide. In recent years, Hai Binh has always gained high trust and appreciation from customers. Besides, playing the role of Chairwoman of Thai Binh’s Women Entrepreneurs Club, Hoang Thi Hong not only encourages club members to promote production, increase budget, and create jobs for local people, but also orients them to participate in many charity activities. Plus, Ms Hong and Thai Binh’s Women Entrepreneurs Club and the provincial Orphans and Disabled People Sponsor Association and the provincial Radio and Television Station successfully co-organised the “compassionate heart” charity programme which won support from people.
One more admirable thing about her is her six-year journey seeking the grave of her husband’s brother. During that period, she even checked each name in each grave at midnight. There are few women who own such a strong spirit like that. She bears the responsibilities towards her company, society and especially towards her family. It is said that Ms Hong is both a successful woman of high social position, a dutiful daughter-in-law and a self-sacrificial mother.
She shared that the most valuable property was not her trillion VND business, but her prosperous children with high ranks in society. Thanks to her steel spirit and the support from her family, she has overcome all hardships to become a successful entrepreneur and have a happy family – she is such a beautiful Golden Rose in the arid desert.
Ngo San-Ha Thu
Đăng ký: VietNam News