With numerous concerted and effective solutions, over the recent past, Hoa Binh province has actively supported and promoted the startup movement in ethnic minority areas, thereby spreading the spirit of self-reliance and resilience of local people in investing in building efficient livelihood models.
Giang A La (left) is one of the young pioneers in the startup movement in Hang Kia commune (Mai Chau).
Giang A La, a Mong ethnic man born and raised in Hang Kia commune (Mai Chau), left many impressions at the final round of the "2021 Business Initiative Challenge" competition with his friendly and likeable look and always full of energy. Not only did he bring creative startup ideas to the competition, Giang A La also brought ambition and desire to change the poor countryside where he lives. In June 2020, Hang Kia Agricultural and Tourism Service Cooperative was established, and 24-year-old Giang A La was the youngest member but entrusted to hold the position of its director. With two main professions of service business and agricultural production, cooperative members have taken the advantage of local potential and advantages to boost the development of community-based tourism and eco-tourism associated with activities to experience indigenous cultural identity such as beeswax painting and ‘banh day’ (round sticky rice cake) making. Agricultural products by locals are supported by the cooperative to be sold at tourism service establishments at stable prices. In addition, the cooperative creates jobs for local labourers with an average income of 4 - 5 million VND (157-196.4 USD)/person/month.
Giang A La shared that during the start-up process, the cooperative has received support, advice, and direction from the local Party Committees and authorities to increase the value of typical local agricultural products.
According to preliminary statistics, the province currently has over 680 economic models owned by youths, of which the majority are led by young ethnic minorities; and nearly 400 are in the field of agriculture and forestry. These models create jobs for nearly 1,000 youth union members and young people.
Over the recent years, Hoa Binh has stepped up information and dissemination activities to raise awareness and entrepreneurial spirit in ethnic minority areas, especially among young people. Activities to support and encourage start-ups have been implemented by all levels, sectors and localities in different fields. Attention has been paid to calling on businesses and investors to support and develop startup ideas of young people. This is an important premise to develop start-up models in the locality.
Currently, the provincial Party Committee and authorities, especially the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs, are accelerating the progress of implementing contents and projects under the national target programme for socio-economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the 2021 – 2025 period, including increasing support for production and production chain development, projects and models; along with investment in developing medicinal growing areas.
According to data from the Hoa Binh Provincial Party Committee, the industrial production index for the first six months of 2025 is estimated to have increased by 20% compared to the same period last year. This marks the highest year-on-year growth rate for this period since 2020.
In the first six months of 2025, Hoa Binh province’s export turnover was estimated at 1.145 billion USD, marking an 18.11% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Import turnover was estimated at $ 804 million, a 17.15% increase, which helped the province maintain a positive trade balance.
The lives of the ethnic minority farmers in Tan Lac district have gradually improved thanks to the new directions in agricultural production. This is a testament to the collective strength fostered through the professional associations and groups implemented by various levels of the district’s Farmers’ Union.
With the motto the "product quality comes first,” after nearly one year of establishment and operation, Muong village’s Clean Food Agricultural and Commercial Cooperative, located in Cau Hamlet, Hung Son Commune (Kim Boi district), has launched reputable, high-quality agricultural products to the market that are well-received by consumers. The products such as Muong village’s pork sausage, salt-cured chicken, and salt-cured pork hocks have gradually carved out a place in the market and they are on the path to obtaining the OCOP certification.
In the past, the phrase "bumper harvest, rock-bottom prices" was a familiar refrain for Vietnamese farmers engaged in fragmented, small-scale agriculture. But today, a new spirit is emerging across rural areas of Hoa Binh province - one of collaboration, organisation, and collective economic models that provide a stable foundation for production.
Maintaining growing area codes and packing facility codes in accordance with regulations is a mandatory requirement for agricultural products to be eligible for export. Recently, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Hoa Binh province has intensified technical supervision of designated farming areas and packing facilities to safeguard the "green passport" that enables its products to access international markets.
