Recent years have seen a growing number of women who have been actively involved with startups. They have broken through barriers to bring their innovative ideas and quality products to the market. Through their start-up projects, women’s potential and creativity are continuously stimulated, hereby contributing to promoting their role economic development and ensuring gender equality in this aspect.

Lien checking newly-produced essential oil at her company

Ms Nguyen Thi My Lien, the Director of the Da Nang-based Chau Thong Co., Ltd. is a typical example of strong-willed entrepreneur. 

The company specialises in producing a wide range of products from agarwood, lemongrass, cajuput, coffee, and other easy-to-find ingredients, and all of them are very familiar to consumers over recent times.

It was a somewhat risky decision that, nearly 20 years ago when she graduated from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, the strong-willed woman planed to produce and sell dishwashing liquid named My Lien, instead of seeking well-paid jobs as her friends did.

At that time, her producing facility, with only 3 hardworking employees produced between 30 and 50 litres of dishwashing liquid for sale at some restaurants located on busy Nguyen Van Linh Street.

In 2012, Lien’s friends presented her little pieces of agarwood sourced from the mountainous district of Tien Phuoc in Quang Nam province, and said it was much preferred by Chinese tourists.

Deeply inspired by the pleasantly attempting aroma of agarwood, Lien decided to focus on researching and embarking upon producing such products from this fragrant dark resinous wood as incense and bracelets.

Lien now spends much time managing the operation of producing facilities and 3 kiots selling her company’s products.

Currently, Lien’s company is offering a wide range of products to its customers, including massage oil, essential oil for anti-mosquito and insect, natural soap and candle, herbal palm oil, and lotion.

All of them feature naturally-sourced raw materials, and no harmful chemicals for the sake of customers’ health.

Chau Thong-produced goods have gradually penetrated into popular trade centres across the city, selling areas at the Da Nang International Airport and exhibitions and fairs in the city, with firm stature.

Now, Chau Thong now employs a total of 30 people, and last year, it generated monthly revenue of 743 million VND, up 30% against 2017.