In Vi Tan Ward, Can Tho City, a group of ethnic minority women are working together to earn additional income through a simple job that requires both skill and patience: making chopsticks and fishing rods.

Established in December 2023 with eight members, the livelihood group is one of the initiatives supporting women to strengthen their household economies, with the support of the Norwegian Mission Alliance. Of the original members, six households had recently moved out of poverty, while two were still classified as poor households.

Each household received VND 5 million in livelihood support, including VND 4 million as a non-refundable grant and VND 1 million as an interest-free loan. With this support, the women were able to purchase materials and continue making chopsticks and fishing rods, making use of their spare time to generate additional income for their families.

But what makes the group different is not only the financial support. The women work together, save together and support one another.

Every month, the members meet to share their experiences, discuss their work and contribute to a savings scheme. Each member saves VND 100,000 per month to repay the loan and contributes another VND 20,000 to a mutual support fund. This shared fund provides practical support when a member faces difficulties. It can also be used for group activities, helping strengthen the bonds among the women.

From January 2024 to December 2025, each member saved a total of VND 2.4 million. After repaying VND 1 million of the project loan, each member received VND 1.4 million of her own savings back.

For the members, this was more than simply accumulating savings over two years. It was also an opportunity to develop a regular saving habit and become more confident in managing their household income.

The model shows how a small amount of capital, combined with mutual support and an approach suited to local conditions, can make a practical difference in women’s lives. The revolving nature of the fund also allows the resources to be used to support other women who need opportunities to strengthen their livelihoods.

The model in Vi Tan Ward also highlights the increasingly important role of the Women’s Union in connecting women with resources and opportunities to strengthen their livelihoods and contribute to local economic development.