Anh Chi Em

In northwestern Vietnam, Anh Chi Em supports small farmers, herders, and artisans from ethnic minorities to develop their businesses, increase their incomes, and improve their families' living conditions.

Economic and social inclusion
Sustainable agriculture and food safety

Liberia

Supporting poor families from ethnic minorities in northern Vietnam

Dien Bien is one of Vietnam’s poorest provinces. 80% of its population is made up of marginalized ethnic minorities who live off agriculture, livestock farming, and crafts. They face many challenges: limited income and assets, housing, illiteracy, exposure to natural disasters, etc.

To escape extreme poverty, many engage in small-scale entrepreneurial activities but are hampered by limited access to capital. Anh Chi Em (ACE) provides them with unsecured microloans, interest-bearing savings accounts that can be accessed at any time, technical advice, and training. The team also raises awareness of social and environmental issues and promotes the development of strong bonds between them.

Beneficiaries meet every four weeks in their community to deposit their savings, repay their loans, attend training sessions, and share their skills and knowledge. The ACE team provides close monitoring to ensure that the program meets their needs and to identify any difficulties. This makes beneficiaries feel listened to and understood.

Beneficiaries gradually improve their incomes and living conditions. Their role within their families and communities is also strengthened.

ACE currently offers its services in three districts of Dien Bien province (Dien Bien Phu, Dien Bien, and Muong Ang). It has achieved operational sustainability and is now recognized as a microfinance program by the State Bank of Vietnam.

Isolated and marginalized ethnic minorities

Vietnam is characterized by political stability, strong economic growth, and efforts to reduce corruption. However, in the mountains of the country’s northwest, ethnic minorities in Dien Bien province are isolated and marginalized. The gap between their living conditions and those of city dwellers contributes to a significant rural exodus of men.

As a result, it is overwhelmingly women who are responsible for agricultural production (rice, yams, coffee, small-scale livestock farming, including fish farming), with few mechanical resources and heavy use of chemical pesticides. Climate change is impacting their yields, and rising inflation on inputs is reducing their profits.

It is these women that Anh Chi Em supports, thanks to a team dedicated to the local population.

A very positive social impact, thanks to a team committed to the local community

In 2024, ACE received new funding from AFD to strengthen its activities. The team launched a pilot project with a group of 10 weavers, whom it is training in cotton production, weaving, and marketing. It is actively seeking new commercial opportunities for its beneficiaries in the weaving and coffee sectors and is working to strengthen value chains by integrating environmentally friendly techniques and ensuring high-quality production.

4 800 beneficiaries
91 % are women
35 employees

Testimonal

From dropping out of school to becoming an entrepreneur, Bac Thi Khuyen has gained confidence and can now ensure a better future for her children.

portrait de Bac Thi Kuyen, éleveuse accompagnée par Anh Chi Em au Vietnam

My journey has not been easy. I had to leave school after primary school, and when I got married, I moved to a new village and found myself isolated. We started a fish farm, but we could only produce enough for our own consumption. That's when I discovered ACE. My first loans were a turning point. I invested in my fish farm and diversified my business. We built a pigsty, a chicken coop, and even modern toilets. ACE's training also taught me how to use organic pesticides to improve our yields. Thanks to the group meetings, I gained confidence and became part of the community.

Bac Thi Khuyen

They support Anh Chi Em

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Je soutiens Anh Chi Em

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