The youth entrepreneurship movement in Da Nang has been developing positively with diverse models in various fields. Among them, some creative and effective startup models in Hoa Vang District inspire a large number of young people.

Ngo Van Quoc Huy-owned “Experience Garden” model focuses on providing services for foreign guests. Photo: TRAN TRUC

Mr. Ngo Van Quoc Huy, a member of Tuy Loan Dong 2 Village, Hoa Phong Commune, Hoa Vang District, started his startup journey with the model "Experiential garden".

In 2019, his idea was carried out on an area of ​​600m² following the garden-pond-livestock pen (VAC) model. Unfortunately, the model halted operations due to the complicated developments of COVID-19. Despite many difficulties, he determined to "rebuild" the garden.

Mr. Huy recounted that after graduating from university with a major in Automation Engineering in 2018, he travelled to many places to learn about and study startup models. In the early days, he encountered difficulties in capital, and methods of doing things because his startup idea was not clear. At that time, the heavy psychology made him feel almost overwhelmed, even at times he started to get discouraged.

However, thanks to the spiritual encouragement from the Youth Union members in the village as well as the commune, he gradually regained his confidence and took more confident steps.

Nearly a year later, the model gradually took shape, drawing the attention from everyone. From here, many travel agencies have contacted and connected to bring visitors to the garden.

Visitors to the garden also have a chance to experience Tuy Loan 'banh trang' (rice paper) making craft, and learn how to grow and care for clean vegetables and fruits in the garden. School pupils citywide regularly visit and participate in activities in the garden.

The "Experiential Garden" welcomes a monthly average of about 1,500 visitors, helping Huy earn VND nearly 50 million in revenue. Also, the model creates jobs for 15 people, of which 6-10 are young people.

"The garden is targeting foreign visitors, so I am concentrating on improving the quality of services according to European standards with tables, chairs, food and accommodation. Currently, the garden only welcomes visitors from France. Therefore, in the near future, I will work with travel agencies to be able to welcome a variety of foreign visitors from Germany, Spain and other countries" said Mr. Huy.

Meanwhile, Ho Thi Lang, residing in Con Mong Village, Hoa Phuoc Commune, Hoa Vang District, sets up her own handicraft business with the model “Suong Ban Mai Quilling".

Despite her birth defects of body shape, she has overcome adversity and become a shining example for the community.

In 2015, Lang decided to go to Ha Noi to study paper quilling art while working as a worker to earn money to support her parents. Three years later, she returned to Da Nang with the intention of starting a business with the profession of making quilling paintings and cards.

Initially, she received a small number of orders, which made her feel discouraged and think about quitting the job. At that time, receiving spiritual encouragement from local officials and associations and being supported to post advertisements on social networks, her products became more known to people.

According to Lang, paper quilling is one of the interesting visual arts, but making paper quilling paintings requires effort, carefulness and patience. She says that it takes more than one hour to complete a greeting card, and two days to complete a quilling paper painting. Her products have a variety of themes about landscapes, trees, nature and people. They have been chosen by many customers as gifts for partners, friends, and relatives.

Depending on the size and customer's requirements, the prices of products will be different. In particular, greeting cards cost from VND30,000-VND60,000 each, whilst the prices of paper quilling paintings range from VND200,000 to several million dong.

Lang’s quilling products won the first prize at the 2023 start-up idea competition themed ‘Economic development associated with increasing trade value for local products’ which was launched by the Hoa Vang District Chapter of the Da Nang Women's Union.

Currently, she makes an average of 200-300 greeting cards per month. This model also helps create jobs for 1-2 women in the locality.

With the feelings of an unlucky person, she understands those with the same unfortunate fate as her. Since then, she has participated in vocational training for people in difficult circumstances or those with disabilities at vocational training centres in the city.

“With the diverse needs of the market, in the coming time, I will spend time learning and exploring new ‘ao dai’ products. I hope to seek more consumption sources for my products through souvenir shops” Ms. Lang shared.

Every year, many start-up competitions are held in the city. Through these competitions, the quality of start-up ideas and projects among young people is increasingly improved and is highly appreciated by businesses.

With the aim of supporting young people in starting their own businesses more effectively, the city has so far provided direct financial aid worth more than VND 3.6 billion for 19 innovative start-up businesses in order to help them renovate technology, and develop start-up projects.

Twelve of the 19 businesses are owned by young people with a budget of more than VND 2.4 billion. Incubation programmes have supported 172 innovative start-up projects, nearly 70% of them are owned by young people.

Reporting by TRAN TRUC - Translating by M.DUNG