At the end of 2023, a conference connecting the local startup and innovation ecosystem was co-hosted by the Điện Biên provincial Youth Union, VTC6 Television, and the Department of Science and Technology. The event attracted nearly 100 young members with economic development models across the province.

At the conference, Lò Chúc Chi, Director of the Hoa Ban Trắng Cooperative in Mường Lay town, was one of two exemplary young entrepreneurs introduced by the provincial Youth Union Standing Committee to connect with investors, startup funds, and businesspeople interested in supporting startups.

For Lò Chúc Chi, the event was not only an opportunity to network, exchange, and learn business experience, but also a chance to promote her products. “The main markets for our cooperative’s flagship products - khẩu xén cakes and chí chọp - are within the province and a few neighboring ones. Therefore, these connection and cooperation activities offer a valuable opportunity for our local specialties to reach broader markets and more customers,” shared Chi.

Recognizing that the climate and soil in Mường Phăng are suitable for growing Hana organic strawberries, since 2021, young man Hoàng Văn Dán from Che Căn hamlet, Mường Phăng commune, Điện Biên Phủ city, invested time and capital to pilot nearly 2,000 square meters of strawberry cultivation. From the very beginning, the Điện Biên Phủ city Youth Union supported him, helping secure a VND 50 million preferential loan from the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies.

Thanks to his hard work and dedication, the first strawberry harvest produced high-quality, sweet fruit that sold out quickly. A large portion was packaged and distributed to supermarkets and stores in Điện Biên Phủ city. Especially during harvest season, the strawberry farm attracts numerous tourists for visiting and picking experiences.

Hoàng Văn Dán shared: “Starting in November, I sell strawberry ornamental plants; from December to May of the following year, I sell fruit and offer garden-picking experiences. From the original 2,000m2, the strawberry farm has expanded to 5,000m2. With an average price of VND 80,000-160,000 per kilogram, the farm brings in annual profits of VND 400-500 million.”

Supporting youth startups involves more than funding, it’s about igniting ambition and cultivating ideas. Understanding this, in recent years, the provincial Youth Union has gone beyond awareness campaigns, launching practical programs and activities to support young people in starting businesses. They focus on inspiring, discovering, and nurturing ideas as a breakthrough step toward successful youth-led projects.

Quàng Mạnh Hải, Deputy Head of the Youth Mobilization Committee of the provincial Youth Union, said: “We’ve organized training sessions and online forums on diverse topics such as ‘Youths and Start-ups,’ ‘Starting a Business from Clean Agriculture,’ and ‘Applying Digital Transformation in Production.’ We also support young entrepreneurs in bringing OCOP and youth-led products to e-commerce platforms, connecting supply and demand, establishing and replicating model projects, and offering financial and loan support.”

According to the provincial Youth Union, through funding channels from the Central Youth Union, eight youth-led economic models in the province have accessed loans totaling VND 577 million. Through the youth union’s support, 19,532 households have been able to borrow policy-based economic and employment loans, with a total outstanding balance of nearly VND 1.303 trillion.

As a result of this support, many innovative business ideas have been put into practice across the province. Notable models include: Lò Văn Biên in Thanh Xương commune, specializing in Northwest specialties; Lường Thị Biên in Noong Hẹt commune, cultivating year-round oyster mushrooms; Vàng A Tỷ in Pu Lau hamlet, Mường Nhà commune, transforming low-yield crops into high-economic-value ones; and Lù Văn Đức in Cang hamlet, Nà Tấu commune, growing tomatoes and citrus trees.

In reality, the path to startups is never easy for young people. However, with enthusiasm, creativity, and the courage to act, along with support from all levels of the Youth Union, young people are gaining the momentum they need to enrich themselves and contribute actively to their homeland’s economic development.