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Dear readers,

Vietnamese women truly are playing an increasingly important role in all aspects of work and life.
Indeed, many have now become well-known politicians, leaders, or entrepreneurs.

Among the 180 official members of the Party Central Committee (PCC), elected at the recent 13th
National Party Congress, 19 are women, including one member of the Politburo and another of the
PCC Secretariat - the most powerful bodies of the Party. Earlier, nine of those 19 were elected Party
Secretary of centrally-run cities and provinces. Though not re-elected as PCC members due to age
limits, women such as National Assembly Chairperson Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Vice State President
Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, and Vice NA Chairperson Tong Thi Phong can boast distinguished careers in
the political field.
On February 4, while addressing a gathering to release the research findings from a study entitled
“Roles of Women Representatives in Vietnam’s Development during the 2016-2021 Term”, held by the
University of Social Sciences and Humanities at the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and the
UNDP, UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam, Ms. Caitlin Wiesen, said: “Women’s equal
representation in leadership and decision-making at all levels, in both the public and private sectors, is
essential for realizing Vietnam’s socio-economic development vision and is key to equitable development
that leaves no one behind.”
March 8 has long been celebrated as International Women’s Day. In Vietnam, the day is marked in a
number of different ways that make grandmothers, mothers, wives, sisters and other women happy.

With that in mind, we dedicate our March issue to women whose contributions to the country’s socio-
economic development are of particular note. Our Cover Story focuses on women’s efforts to overcome
the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic so as to keep their businesses operating in a suitable manner. We
also look at how women entrepreneurs have shown their potential and ability in managing their
businesses while maintaining the digital transformation process. Policies helping women-led enterprises
develop are analyzed, and we interview women managers to hear of their success.

Globally, women make up more than half of the population. Opportunities and environments must
therefore be created to bring out their best and allow them to reach their full potential.

Happy International Women’s Day!

DR. CHU VAN LAM
Editor-in-Chief