Vietnam Economic Times March, 02 2026

Dear readers,

Women have been playing an increasingly affirmed and elevated role in Vietnam’s economy, from policy-making and macro-economic management to specific operations at many enterprises and production and business units, making key contributions to the country’s socio-economic development, especially in efforts to create a new era of Vietnamese entrepreneurs, with many women listed in the top ranks of successful businesspeople.

Entrepreneur Le Nu Thuy Duong, Vice Chairwoman and CEO of KN Holdings, who was awarded the title of Labor Hero last December, is one of those prominent figures. Under her leadership, KN Holdings has maintained sustainable growth for nearly 30 years, with total investment capital now exceeding VND120 trillion (nearly $4.6 billion).

Along with Ms. Duong, the insights and stories of many other successful female leaders in local and international organizations and women CEOs / entrepreneurs are introduced in this edition, which is dedicated to commemorating International Women's Day on March 8.

According to a report presented at the “Women Entrepreneurs in the Era of the Nation’s Rise” forum, held in Hanoi in March 2025, the number of women-owned enterprises in Vietnam accounted for about 27 per cent of the total as of the end of 2023; higher than the global average.

Women entrepreneurs not only assert their capabilities in the marketplace but also contribute positively to socio-economic development, holding many advantages in the era of digital technology, such as their ability to grasp technology, management flexibility, and creativity in business. Many female entrepreneurs and renowned female scientists in the fields of digital technology and AI have emerged, capable of mastering advanced technologies.

However, women entrepreneurs still face many barriers that need to be removed, such as in accessing capital, expanding domestic and international markets, and enhancing digital skills.

Nevertheless, many Vietnamese female entrepreneurs have succeeded in production and business activities, becoming pioneering entrepreneurs not only renowned domestically but also in regional and international markets.

The fact that the proportion of women holding leadership positions within Vietnam’s political system as well as in the field of socio-economic development is increasingly rising shows that their role and status have been respected in modern Vietnamese society, thus contributing to the successful implementation of the national strategy on gender equality, including gender equality in business, towards sustainable development.

The national strategy on gender equality for the 2021-2030 period set a goal of the proportion of female directors / owners of enterprises and cooperatives to reach at least 27 per cent by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030. Decree No. 80/2021/ND-CP from the government guiding the implementation of the Law on Support for Small and Medium Enterprises also included several priority policies to support enterprises owned by women.

On the occasion of the 116th anniversary of International Women’s Day, our Cover Story in this edition looks at female entrepreneurs’ role in this new era of national development under major strategic orientations approved by the recent 14th National Party Congress, focusing on gender equality in society in general and in business in particular, with many female entrepreneurs standing out in various fields of socio-economic endeavor, whose successes, experience, and voices have contributed to helping the Party and State policy-making agencies update and adjust the guidelines for the socio-economic development of the country in general and the National Strategy on Gender Equality in particular.

Warmest regards

Dr. CHU VAN LAM
CHAIRMAN OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD