Award recipients were praised for their outstanding social activities over the last 5 years. One of them, Nguyen Thi Thu, is Director General of a commerce and service joint stock company, who has built her career from scratch. Her company now has 7 restaurants, creating 1,200 jobs with an average monthly income of 350 USD. The company has spent 500,000 USD on building compassion houses and financing medical check-ups and treatment for poor people. Another awardee Nguyen Thi Duyen is President of the board of directors of the Vietnam Construction Consulting Corporation. She has been involved in many national key projects and has produced many innovative ideas in business administration and production development.

 

Doctor Tran Khanh Thu of the Thai Binh General Hospital is the youngest awardee. She was director of two scientific research projects and has been a bright example in the province’s blood donation movement. Doctor Thu and her colleagues have been distributing free meals for poor patients and she has been very active in social activities. Thu says: “Charity activities are meaningful. I have given my blood 30 times to help people in need.”

The awarded collectives were honored for their ideas to benefit society. For example, the women’s union of the Military Bank has proposed many services particularly for women and provided preferential loans and production advice for thousands of poor women. Nguyen Thi Cam Phuong, Vice President of the women’s union of the Military Bank, says: “Union members help each other at work and in life. The bank has had policies to help young female workers improve their professional skills.”

Nguyen Thi Minh Huong, Head of the Vietnam Women’s Union’s Communications and Education Committee, says: “Award criteria include contributions to their field and activities promoting women’s advancement and gender equality. Female members of collectives eligible for the award should account for 60% or more.”

Since 2003 the award has been given to 55 collectives and 104 individuals.