BAT Vietnam - Women’s Empowerment program 2025-2026 to be launched
More than 100 underrepresented women from the three communes namely Dong Thanh, My Quy, and Nhon Hoa Lap (Tay Ninh Province) have recently gained access to interest-free loans under the “Women’s Empowerment” program, jointly implemented by BAT Vietnam and the Women’s Union of Tay Ninh Province for the 2025-2026 period.
With a total loan fund of 1 billion VND allocated to these three communes, this year’s program further expands its scale in the border region, reaffirming BAT Vietnam’s commitment to creating economic opportunities and advancing gender equality, helping underprivileged women gain confidence in improving their livelihoods, and sustainably escape poverty.
This initiative continues BAT Vietnam’s long-standing efforts to drive women’s economic empowerment in the Southwest border area, where women still face barriers in employment, income generation, and access to formal financial services.
From financial support to livelihood empowerment
In 2025, BAT Vietnam will allocate a total of VND 1 billion in interest-free microloans to 100 women from poor or near-poor households in the three target communes of Dong Thanh, My Quy, and Nhon Hoa Lap, Tay Ninh Province (formerly part of Long An). Each woman participating in the program is eligible for a loan of VND 10 million over a 12-month period to invest in small trading, livestock raising, or livelihood tools.
A key element that ensures the program’s sustainability is its revolving interest-free loan mechanism, with a 12-month repayment cycle. This is not a one-time grant but a community-based microfinance model designed to create a continuous cycle of capital within the local community.
The fund is expected to be reused to support other households in the future once previous loans are repaid.
Previously in 2024, the “Women’s Empowerment” program supported 56 poor and near-poor women in border communes of Duc Hue and Tan Thanh Districts (formerly part of Long An, now Tay Ninh). Many of those women, once struggling to meet daily needs, have since been able to improve their livelihoods, support their children’s education, repairing their houses, expanding income-generating activities.
According to the program report, 100 percent of loan recipients used the loans for the intended purposes and began to generate profit, improving family income. Each month, those women contribute part of their earnings to repay the loans on schedule to the Women’s Union, gradually developing habits of financial management and savings. Regular repayments not only keep the fund rotating but also motivate women in border areas to pursue sustainable livelihoods and confidently embark on their entrepreneurial journeys.
In addition to financial support, BAT Vietnam has worked with the Women’s Union and agricultural extension officers to organize technical training sessions for women. Since 2022, 30 training classes have been held with 539 participants, providing practical knowledge in crop cultivation, livestock raising, and small-business management. The sessions also integrate awareness activities on anti-smuggling to strengthen legal understanding among women.
Behind those small figures lies significant transformation, from a seed of trust, women have grown stronger, more confident, and become steady pillars for their families.
Sharing about the meaning of the loan, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhien, a participant from My Quy Commune, said that the VND 10 million capital is an opportunity for underprivileged families like hers to start a new journey. “I used the fund to buy a cow to generate incomes. Knowing that I have to repay it within a year makes me value every penny and motivates me to plan and work responsibly”, she shared.
The “Teaching to Fish” model - a sustainable opportunity for borderland women
In border provinces like Tay Ninh, women from poor and near-poor households still make up a large proportion of disadvantaged families, while opportunities for preferential credit or vocational training remain limited. Most women here work in the informal sector with unstable incomes, making them vulnerable to economic fluctuations and natural disasters.
Therefore, bringing the “Women’s Empowerment” program to these communes is not only about financial support, it is a practical effort to help women become more self-reliant, confident, and resilient in life.
To ensure the effectiveness and transparency of the fund, BAT Vietnam has established close coordination with the Tay Ninh Women’s Union, which leads implementation at the local level.
Fund management and supervision are emphasized throughout the process. Commune-level Women’s Unions coordinate with partners to conduct field inspections, monitor loan use, and follow up on household progress.
Six months after disbursement, local chapters submit a mid-term report; after twelve months, a full completion report is prepared. This process has been effectively implemented for nearly four years (since 2022).
Ms. Truong Thi Thu Trang, Chairwoman of the My Quy Women’s Union, emphasized: “Our role goes beyond disbursement, we accompany the women and closely monitor the fund use. We also organize training sessions, guide them on financial management and spending, and provide technical support for farming and livestock. The most valuable part is seeing the women grow in responsibility and solidarity, helping one another to progress”.
Looking ahead, this “teaching-to-fish” model, combining the partnership between the business and local authorities, is expected to continue promoting household economic growth and contribute to the national New Rural Development goals. From BAT Vietnam’s perspective, empowering women, a vulnerable yet highly potential group, remains a key pillar in its sustainability strategy in Vietnam. Meanwhile, the cooperation of local governments and social organizations ensures close guidance and timely support for households, maximizing the efficient use of the fund.
In border areas like Tay Ninh, where life remains challenging, even small amounts of capital from the program have become powerful sources of encouragement, inspiring hundreds of women to live more positively, care for the next generations, and contribute to society.