Cooperatives across Da Nang have adopted many innovative and flexible approaches in their production and business activities. As a result, they have made a positive contribution to the overall development of the collective economic sector, as well as to job creation and the promotion of local socio-economic growth.

The Da Nang Cooperative Alliance presents new membership decisions in 2024. Photo: TRAN TRUC

Improving operational quality

The May Tre An Khe Cooperative in Thanh Khe District is one of the city’s outstanding cooperatives and has developed sustainably under the new-style cooperative model. Established in 1978, the cooperative now produces handicrafts and rattan furniture for export, and also purchases, preliminarily processes, and manufactures rattan materials. It comprises 29 members and employs 80 workers.

Partnering units contributing to production for the cooperative include around 150 households from Quang Nam, Quang Binh, and Thai Binh provinces. Mr Nguyen Hoang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of An Khe Rattan and Bamboo Cooperative, shared that the cooperative’s input partnerships have remained stable. In addition to traditional customers, the cooperative has also expanded its clientele, signed several new contracts, and increased product sales.

A growing number of orders with larger volumes have been sold both domestically and internationally, continuing to provide stable employment and income for members and local workers, with an average monthly income of VND 8 million per worker. Over more than 45 years of development, the cooperative has continuously invested in technology upgrades, design, and management software systems, while adapting product designs to suit production realities. Machinery and equipment investments have helped improve labour productivity. Furthermore, the cooperative remains active in contributing to local social activities.

Meanwhile, established in 2006, Lien Chieu Automobile Cooperative operates in fixed-route and contract-based passenger transport, cargo transport, tourism transport, car parts trading, vehicle repair, and construction mechanics. The cooperative currently manages 100 vehicles, including 35 passenger buses and 65 cargo trucks.

Mr Tran Nhat Khanh, Director of Lien Chieu Automobile Cooperative, stated that despite economic challenges and regulatory obstacles within the transport sector, the cooperative has continuously strived to maintain and develop its business. It ensures revenue generation, job stability, and livelihoods for staff and members. In 2024, workers at the cooperative earned an average monthly income of VND 8 million. The cooperative is proactive in seeking new customers and has signed numerous contracts for transport, tourism, and repair services. Thanks to its spacious premises and skilled workforce, the cooperative attracts around 60 vehicles daily for maintenance and repair services.

"With commitment, responsibility, and determination, the cooperative has built a strong brand image as a professional vehicle repair workshop. At the same time, we always maintain a balance between production development and environmental protection, considering it one of our core missions for sustainable growth," shared Mr Khanh.

Comprehensive and sustainable development

According to statistics, there are currently 160 cooperatives in the city, with a total charter capital exceeding VND 417 billion. These cooperatives attract 9,599 members and provide employment for more than 15,000 workers. The Da Nang Cooperative Alliance (DNCA) reported that despite the continued economic challenges in 2024, the city and relevant departments have supported cooperatives in developing production and business activities, thereby creating more job opportunities for members and workers. During their development process, some cooperatives have focused on digital transformation and applying information technology, contributing to increased labour productivity and better market access.

Notably, new cooperatives have been established by young, qualified, and dedicated individuals who prioritise the cooperative model for their start-ups. These youth-led cooperatives have shown strong and efficient operations in emerging sectors such as healthcare, information technology, and tourism. Many have become exemplary models for study visits by delegations from both within and outside the city, including Hoa Bac Eco-Agriculture and Community Tourism Cooperative, Do 37 Clean Agricultural Products Cooperative, Cam Le Bamboo Sausage Cooperative, Phu Son Village Cooperative, Da Nang Community Healthcare Cooperative, and Viet Sun Cooperative.

Mr Pham Cong Chinh, Chairman of the DNCA, stated that with strong commitment and responsibility, many cooperatives have actively coordinated with local authorities to implement key policies and projects related to agricultural restructuring, national target programmes, new rural development, and social issue resolution.

The activities of the collective economic and cooperative sector play an essential role in fostering community culture, strengthening solidarity and mutual support in daily life, ensuring social welfare, maintaining grassroots political stability, and creating positive ripple effects that contribute to local socio-economic development. Moving forward, the DNCA will continue to enhance its outreach, consultancy, guidance, and support services to help establish new cooperatives.

It will also conduct surveys and assess the operational quality of existing cooperatives in conjunction with consultancy efforts, supporting underperforming or unsustainable cooperatives to restructure under the new-style model in accordance with the 2023 Cooperative Law. Furthermore, the Alliance will encourage mergers of small-scale cooperatives or producer groups in the same sectors into larger cooperatives or cooperative unions to improve efficiency. In addition, to boost product sales, the Alliance will organise small- and medium-scale cooperative product fairs and create favourable conditions for cooperatives and members to participate in trade fairs, exhibitions, and trade promotion conferences both inside and outside the city.

Reporting by TRAN TRUC - Translating by TRUC VY