Women Entrepreneurs as Drivers of Vietnam's Sustainable Growth in a New Stage of National Development

Madame Nguyen Thi Nga, Chairwoman of BRG Group, Permanent Vice Chairwoman of Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SeABank), and Acting Chairwoman of the Vietnam Private Entrepreneurs Association, delivered a keynote address at the Congress, underscoring the vital role of women in advancing Vietnam's sustainable development.

The Congress took place at a pivotal moment as Vietnam enters a new stage of development, with ambitious goals of accelerating economic growth, strengthening national competitiveness, and realising its vision of becoming a high-income developed country by 2045. Among the key issues discussed was how to unlock the full potential, creativity, and leadership of women in driving the country's future.

In her presentation, titled "Achieving Double-Digit Growth, Enhancing National Competitiveness, and Advancing Corporate Social Responsibility: The Role of Women Entrepreneurs," Madame Nguyen Thi Nga emphasised that Vietnam's development aspirations can only be achieved by effectively mobilising every available source of national strength.

She observed that women today are not merely an essential component of the labour force but also an increasingly pivotal source of leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and value creation that directly contributes to the country's long-term sustainable development.

"Empowering women is not simply a matter of gender equality; it is a national development imperative," she said.

Women currently constitute approximately 47 per cent of Vietnam's workforce, while women-owned businesses represent nearly 24 per cent of all enterprises nationwide. Thousands of women entrepreneurs now lead major corporations and businesses, while millions more are contributing to emerging industries and increasingly knowledge-intensive, technology-driven sectors.

As Vietnam accelerates digital transformation, innovation, green growth, the circular economy, and deeper global integration, women are playing an increasingly significant role across business, science and technology, corporate governance, and executive leadership.

"When women are empowered to realise their full potential, the economy gains new engines of growth, society benefits from more sustainable values, and future generations inherit stronger foundations for development," Madame Nguyen Thi Nga said.

She highlighted the significant contributions women entrepreneurs can make toward Vietnam's goal of sustaining high economic growth. Women, she noted, are well positioned to spearhead the transition toward green and sustainable development. International studies have demonstrated that companies with greater female representation in leadership tend to place stronger emphasis on sustainable governance, corporate social responsibility, and long-term risk management.

Beyond their contributions to business, women also play a central role in developing Vietnam's future workforce.

"If double-digit economic growth is the objective for the coming decade, the quality of Vietnam's human capital will determine the country's success for decades beyond. Investing in women is investing in the nation's future workforce," she said.

Madame Nguyen Thi Nga further described women as an important bridge between economic development and social progress. Many women entrepreneurs successfully combine commercial performance with community engagement, creating jobs, expanding educational opportunities, improving living standards, and promoting balanced and inclusive development.

From Business Leadership to Women's Economic Empowerment

With nearly four decades of experience across Vietnam's key economic sectors, Madame Nguyen Thi Nga has consistently pursued a business philosophy centred on people, social responsibility, and creating opportunities for women to thrive.

Across BRG Group and its member companies, which employ more than 22,000 people, women hold numerous senior leadership, executive, and specialist positions. According to Madame Nguyen Thi Nga, career advancement within the Group is based not on gender, but on capability, leadership, and the ability to create value.

The business ecosystem she founded and leads has also introduced a wide range of initiatives to support women's economic empowerment.

In the retail sector, BRG has helped OCOP-certified products (Vietnam's One Commune One Product), locally made goods, and items from women-owned businesses gain access to modern retail distribution networks.

In banking and financial services, SeABank has developed dedicated financing programmes and tailored financial solutions for women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses. Its SeAPower initiative has helped build a network connecting women leaders, strengthening leadership capabilities and promoting women's economic empowerment.

Building on Tradition, Investing in the Future

In her address, Madame Nguyen Thi Nga noted that Vietnamese history has consistently recognised women's contributions throughout every stage of the nation's development.

From the Trung Sisters and Lady Trieu to the heroines of Vietnam's resistance wars, and from devoted mothers to today's scientists, policymakers, and business leaders, women have always been an integral part of the country's strength and resilience.

She also highlighted the legacy of Bui Thi Hy, regarded as one of Vietnam’s pioneering women entrepreneurs from the 15th century. Nearly 600 years ago, she helped carry Chu Dau ceramics beyond Vietnam's borders and onto the world stage, expanding the reach across international trade routes while elevating Vietnamese culture and craftsmanship.

Today, Chu Dau ceramic artifacts are preserved in 46 museums across 32 countries, while Chu Dau products continue to be selected as diplomatic gifts, helping showcase Vietnam’s history, culture, and national identity to international audiences.

Chu Dau Ceramics have become prestigious diplomatic gifts that showcase Vietnam's history, cultural heritage, and national identity to world leaders, international organisations, and global partners.

Looking ahead, Madame Nguyen Thi Nga stressed that, in Vietnam's next stage of development, women must be given every opportunity to fully realise their potential, bring their knowledge and aspirations to the table, and stand among the key forces driving innovation, digital transformation, green growth, and international integration.

"Creating opportunities for women means expanding the economy's capacity for growth, generating greater value for society, and building a better foundation for generations to come," she emphasised.