At the age of 27, Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Kim Anh from An Trach Village, Hoa Tien Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang, has overcome adversity and successfully launched her own business, inspired by the traditional products passed down from her hardworking mother.

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Kim Anh introduced her company’s products at the programme on industrial promotion and product development for tourism in the city in 2024.

At just 9 years old, Kim Anh lost her beloved father, leaving her mother to shoulder the responsibility of providing for the family. The psychological impact of losing her father's protection and guidance was profound, while her mother worked tirelessly to care for the family. Thanks to her mother's boundless love, Kim Anh gradually overcame the grief and focused on her studies.

After graduating from the University of Economics - the University of Da Nang, armed with her academic knowledge and inspired by her mother's perseverance, Ms. Kim Anh was determined to pursue the work her mother had begun decades ago.

"Before my father passed away, my mother had learned the craft of brewing rice wine from my grandmother and was deeply passionate about it. However, at that time, she could only sell small quantities in the neighbourhood, which wasn't enough to support our family. So, she set her passion aside to take on other jobs like selling sugarcane juice and sewing clothes. Seeing her struggle, I was determined to study hard and work diligently to escape poverty and repay the hardships my mother endured," Ms. Kim Anh shared emotionally.

She diligently researched from various sources and absorbed the knowledge and experience passed down from her mother. After countless adjustments to the formula and ingredients, she eventually succeeded in creating her own product.

Once she had a product she was satisfied with, Ms. Kim Anh turned her focus to market research, studying customer preferences to develop packaging designs. She understood that in a vast and diverse market, making her product stand out was a significant challenge.

Along with preserving the traditional formula, she invested in modern facilities and processing techniques to ensure product quality. "Maintaining the traditional production process while incorporating modern technology not only preserves the distinct flavour but also ensures food safety. Although this requires significant cost and effort, the key is to meet the ever-increasing demands of consumers" Ms. Kim Anh added.

For a young woman, entering the business world in a structured way is no easy feat, especially with limited capital. Seeing her daughter's passion, Ms. Kim Anh's mother mortgaged the family land to provide the necessary investment capital for her daughter's startup.

With all the necessary resources, Ms. Kim Anh established the Ai Lam fermented rice wine company. She named the company after her mother, wanting her mother's image to be ever-present in her product, reflecting her enduring love and support.

Her company's product has gradually gained recognition in the market, earning the trust and affection of customers. After nearly two years of operation, Ai Lam fermented rice wine is now available in stores and supermarkets across the country. It is also sold on e-commerce platforms, expanding its reach, optimizing costs, and promoting Vietnamese traditional culture to both domestic and international consumers.

Currently, Kim Anh's company produces two main product lines, fermented milk rice wine and fermented black rice wine, available at various price points. On average, the company markets around 3,000 litres of rice wine annually.

As remarked by Ms Tran Thi Kim, Chairwoman of the Women's Union in Hoa Vang District, Ms. Kim Anh is highly dynamic and creative in building her product's quality and brand. She is passionate about women's movements and social welfare in the local community, serving as a role model for female entrepreneurship in the district.

Overcoming countless challenges, her success is the result of relentless efforts. Now, she proudly reflects on how Ai Lam rice wine has not only received positive feedback from customers but also created stable jobs for 10 local workers, helping to preserve and develop traditional crafts.

In 2023, Ai Lam rice wine was recognised as an OCOP product and a notable rural industrial product in Da Nang. It was one of six rural industrial products selected by the city to participate at the regional level.

Reporting by MAI HUONG - Translating by TRUC VY