(VOVWORLD) - Nguyen Thi Binh, Deputy Director of Binh Thuan Cooperative for Business and Services in Son La province, is known as an active and daring female billionaire. Binh is planning to expand her cooperative model to the tourism sector, which is expected to be replicated for sustainable economic development for farmers in the area.
 Nguyen Thi Binh works on her tea production chain. (Photo: VOV) |
At this time of the year, farmers in Phong Lai commune, Son La province, are busy harvesting tea leaves for the Binh Thuan Cooperative for Business and Services at the foot of Pha Din Pass.
Nguyen Thi Binh was born and raised in Phong Lai, where green tea fields were part of her childhood and prompted to her to develop tea into a key crop. In late 2013, Binh and some other people set up the Binh Thuan Cooperative with the initial aim of processing tea for export to Taiwan (China).
The cooperative now has a firm position in the market. Its tea products have been included in Son La province’s One Commune-One Product program. They were recognized as typical products of Son La in 2019 and of the northwest region in 2020.
The Binh Thuan Cooperative has grossed 440,000 USD per year for the last 5 years, and employs 30 local people. It has commitments to purchase tea leaves from more than 400 farming households, assuring them income even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I earn a stable income from selling tea to the cooperative. I’ve felt secure in my work, even during COVID-19,” said Luong Van In, a farmer in Chieng Pha commune.
 The Binh Thuan Cooperative creates hundreds of jobs for local people. (Photo: VOV) |
Nguyen Thi Binh and other cooperative members have developed eco-tourism on an area of 16 hectares, exploiting the natural environment and the local culture.
Binh has actively responded to emulation movements and supports the upgrading of rural road and electricity systems.
“I’m lucky to have great support from my family, so that I have time to do business and take part in social work,” she said.
Nguyen Thi Binh is considered a role model in doing business and helping to improve the living standards of local people.