The Nestlé Accompanies Women programme under the partnership between Nestlé Vietnam and Vietnam Women’s Union has helped many women in Sóc Trăng have opportunities to enhance their knowledge, skills, and create sustainable livelihoods.

HÀ NỘI — In an era where businesses are increasingly called upon to uphold sustainable values and social responsibility, Nestlé Việt Nam has emerged as a leader in integrating economic growth with community development.

Through initiatives aimed at empowering women, the company has helped improve the lives of many in rural Việt Nam, bridging the gap between economic success and social progress.

Empowering women through 'Nestlé accompanies women'

One of the standout programmes is 'Nestlé accompanies women', a comprehensive initiative that supports rural women with training in nutrition, life skills and financial management. This programme helps participants not only improve their knowledge of nutrition but also build sustainable businesses, significantly enhancing their lives.

The initiative includes various models, such as 'Chị Nest' and 'Maggi cook the entrepreneurship', both designed to empower women economically and socially. In provinces like Sóc Trăng, women who once struggled to make ends meet, have found new opportunities and gained confidence in managing their finances and running businesses.

Take Phạm Anh Thư, a young woman from Trinh Phú Commune in Sóc Trăng. Before joining the programme, Thư’s family operated a small grocery store. After being encouraged by the Women's Union to join the “Chị Nest” model, she started selling Nestlé products alongside everyday goods, which boosted her income. "Since becoming “Chị Nest” my monthly earnings have more than doubled and my family's life has become more stable," she said.

Her success grew as she incorporated Nestlé’s products, such as seasonings, into meals and served them at her family’s food stall. "When customers ordered rice, I used the spices to cook the dish. Many customers asked for cooking tips after finishing their meals, so the number of people asking me to cook increased," she said. Over time, Thư realised she could turn her food business into a profitable venture.

By joining the ‘Maggi cook the entrepreneurship' programme, Thư received additional support and training, which allowed her to expand her business. "I learned how to calculate costs and profits and with new cooking techniques, I now sell nearly a hundred bowls of noodles daily," she said. Her income has grown to around VNĐ6 million (US$235) per month, allowing her to support her family and gain financial independence.

Thư’s story is not unique. Across Trinh Phú and Mỹ Thuận communes, women are actively participating in the programme, starting businesses and improving their lives. Ngô Thanh Thủy, President of the Women’s Union in Trinh Phú, noted that the number of women participating in the programme has doubled, with all participants successfully launching businesses.

"By participating in the model, women are not only supported with start-up capital for the first year but also given the opportunity to import high quality consumer products from Nestlé Vietnam for sale. The products are easy to sell, easy to process. Given the supported and one year interest free capital from the programme, members can find it easier to start up their own business," Thủy said.

The 'Maggi cook the entrepreneurship' model in Mỹ Tú District, Sóc Trăng Province, has helped many women increase their income and improve their livelihoods.

 In Mỹ Thuận Commune, women like Ngô Quỳnh Anh have also benefitted from the programme. Anh, who joined in 2024, has seen her business flourish thanks to the training with the experts from the Program which helps her be equipped with good recipes and business strategies.

“My income has increased significantly and the number of frequent customers has also risen,” she said. The 'Nestlé Accompanies Women' initiative has not only boosted their finances but also enhanced their knowledge of nutrition and food safety, allowing them to serve healthier meals to their communities.

A ripple effect on the community

The programme’s success is evident across Sóc Trăng Province, where nearly 450 women have become part of the Nestlé “Chị Nest” network. According to Trần Thị Kim Phượng, Vice President of the Women's Union of Sóc Trăng, the initiative has significantly improved women’s economic empowerment.

"On average, each chị Nest – the so called names of those who participate in the “Nestlé accompanies women”, earns from VNĐ1 million to VNĐ2.5 million per month, contributing to improving the quality of life for members, women and people in the area," Phương said.

Sóc Trăng's rapid success with the programme has encouraged local authorities to expand its reach. In 2025, the Women's Union aims to increase the number of Chị Nests, ensuring their integration into the local women’s movement.

“Thanks to the achieved results, in 2025, the Provincial Women's Union will encourage the Unions at all levels to continue to propagate and mobilise the Unions at all levels to establish new Chị Nests, ensure the maintenance of the current number of Chị Nests and integrate the activities of Chị Nest with the Union's mandates and the women's movement at the grassroots level," Phương added.

This expansion will not only boost the financial independence of women but also help build stronger communities.

Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainable development

Nestlé Vietnam’s commitment to social responsibility is a key component of its long-term strategy. Nguyễn Tiến Huy, Director of the Office for Business Sustainable Development, emphasised that Nestlé’s efforts align with the goals of sustainable development, integrating social factors like gender equality into its corporate strategy.

"By integrating the social factor into ESG strategies, businesses not only promote good practice of social aspects but also gain financial and non-financial rewards," he said.

The Việt Nam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD) and the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) emphasise the importance of such efforts, recognising companies that promote social good alongside financial success. Huy commended Nestlé Vietnam for its ongoing efforts to empower women, saying: "The initiative has made significant strides in improving women’s economic independence, gender equality and overall quality of life, thus contributing to the nation’s sustainable development goals."

Nestlé’s commitment to women’s empowerment has been recognised by both local authorities and business leaders. Khuất Quang Hưng, Nestlé Vietnam’s Head of Corporate Affairs, stressed the company’s long-term approach of integrating business goals with community development.

"With the “creating shared value” approach, Nestlé Việt Nam integrates its business goals with  the development and prosperity of the community. Over nearly three decades of operating in Việt Nam, we have continuously worked to empower women, particularly by enhancing their roles throughout the value chain," he said.

Through its partnership with the Vietnam Women's Union, Nestlé continues to impact the lives of women, particularly those in rural areas, fostering gender equality and promoting diversity. "We aim to positively impact the lives and position of Vietnamese women, contributing to the broader goals of gender equality and promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion in Việt Nam," Hưng added.

Nestlé Việt Nam’s initiative demonstrates the power of combining business success with social responsibility. By empowering women with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive, the company is not only improving lives but also contributing to the broader goal of sustainable development in Việt Nam. The success of the 'Nestlé Accompanies Women' programme serves as a model for how businesses can play a vital role in transforming communities and supporting local economies.

As the programme continues to expand and evolve, more women will have the chance to improve their livelihoods and make lasting changes for themselves and their families. Through these efforts, Nestlé Việt Nam is making a meaningful contribution to a more inclusive and sustainable future for Việt Nam. VNS