Workers of Vinatex Huong Tra Garment Company completing products on the line

Acceleration since the beginning of the year

When the tourism industry was paralyzed by the pandemic, CEO of Phong Lan Viet Tourism Company - Ms. Ho Suong Lan, found a new direction: investing in the production and launching of traditional handicraft products from Lepironia articulata weed with the brand name  Maries.  Handbags, wallets, backpacks, hats, etc. quickly become “hot” products in the market.  The product is taken care of by the artisans of Pho Trach craft village (Phong Dien), CEO Ho Suong Lan is the one who comes up with the idea and combines the ingredients.

The year 2021 is the period when Maries company finds a foothold in the market amid numerous difficulties due to the impact of the pandemic.  Fortunately, with the right path: just promoting promotion through many channels, opening showrooms to introduce products, increasing online sales, etc., the company is developing production and business quite well.

“Maries is creating jobs for nearly 50 employees, artisans and craftsmen of Pho Trach village.  Since the beginning of the year, the orders have doubled,” said Ms. Ho Suong Lan.

“In 2022, I plan to expand the factory, invest in machinery and equipment, and put Maries' handmade products on the international trading floor.  As for the travel company, now that all international flights are open, it is hoped that in the second and third quarters, the number of foreign tourists will "heat up" again.  In order to restart the tourism business after the "freezing" period, I am planning to prepare tourism products suitable for the post-pandemic period," shared CEO Phong Lan Viet.

In the period of 2020-2021, the recruitment of workers to Japan of DayStar International Cooperation Investment Program was also full of hardship because of the pandemic.  In 2 years, the company only exported less than 300 employees, while before that it was 800 people per year.

"This year, when Japan opens the flight route and receives workers, the plan and also the task assigned by the province to DayStar is strive to bring from 800 to 1,000 workers to Japan," said Nguyen Duc Hung, Head of the Human Resources Department of DayStar company.

Employees coming to apply for jobs at DayStar Company's recruitment day

To achieve the set plan, the company is promoting propaganda, organizing seminars and recruitment festivals, coordinating with the Provincial Employment Service Center in recruiting workers;  withdrawing personnel from DayStar's branches to Hue, opening more representative offices in districts and towns to seek labor sources.

“Fortunately, Japanese partners are aiming to move orders from the North and South to the Central region; therefore, DayStar has an advantage in supplying orders and is striving to 'supply to meet the partners’ demand," said Mr. Hung.

Inside the Vinatex Huong Tra garment factory, workers are working hard to sew export clothing products with a safe working distance to prevent the pandemic.

A representative of the company’s leadership said that, with 550 workers, over the past time, Vinatex Huong Tra has been proactive, flexible, and ensured the safety for employees: "both fighting against the pandemic and developing the economy".  During the pandemic, the company has proved its ability and was able to sign many good orders.  Currently, Vinatex Huong Tra is manufacturing orders for UK, European and American partners, and the orders have been signed until the second quarter, so that the company is assured of the workload in the near future.

Supporting early recovery

In 2021, Thua Thien Hue enterprises faced many difficulties and challenges when the COVID-19 pandemic continues to break out, prolong, and seriously affects the province’s business activities and the recovery and economic growth of enterprises.  

In order to "survive", businesses changed their strategies, restructured, retrained their workforce, focused more on the domestic market as well as implemented many initiatives in response to COVID-19. At the same time, the digital transformation process is also being implemented step by step.

Maries staff taking pictures of handmade bags made from grass on the model

According to the head of the Provincial Business Association - Duong Tuan Anh, in order to accompany the businesses, the Government also issued many policies, with large support packages: Monetary policy with the focus on debt restructuring, exemption and reduction of interest rates, credit support; extending the time limit for paying taxes and land rents;  policies to support enterprises to pay wages to employees, etc. 

Recently, the National Assembly has passed a Resolution on fiscal and monetary policies to support the Socio-Economic Recovery and Development Program with a scale of 350,000 billion VND, meeting the urgent requirements of the people and businesses.  Therefore, "the business community and people are expecting the Government, ministries and local agencies to quickly implement the Resolution of the National Assembly to soon recover the economy," Chairman of the Provincial Business Association expressed.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van Phuong also pledged to accompany businesses to overcome difficulties, accelerate administrative reform, strengthen investment incentives, and transform digitally to create the best business investment environment for businesses.

On the side of the Provincial Business Association, the unit has acted as the focal point to organize vaccination for managers and employees in enterprises and members, with nearly 10,000 doses, significantly contributing to the stability of business production and business and transaction.  The Association has deployed connections and working with departments and sectors, creating conditions for businesses to continue to consolidate and develop; supporting enterprise human resource training.  It has also accompanied businesses and entrepreneurs to grasp difficulties, to propose to the Government and provinces on solutions and recovery support, contributing to creating a favorable environment to help businesses overcome difficulties to develop.

The Provincial Business Association has built an e-commerce platform at www.huasentrade.vn to help businesses connect with the market through digital platforms and in the internet environment.  It is expected that in the first quarter of 2022, this floor will go into operation, promising to be a favorite trade connection playground because it is affordable and close to the Hue business community.  At the same time, it also promotes the establishment of the Joint Stock Company of the Provincial Enterprise Association and will operate at the same time.

Story and photos: Lien Minh