Entrepreneurs of the Pink Lotus Land: United in Connection - Shaping the Future

DNHN - During the past term (2019 - 2024), members of the Đồng Tháp Entrepreneurs Club in Ho Chi Minh City contributed over 7.5 billion VND to the development of their homeland, supporting local residents in stabilizing their lives.

Recently, the 2nd Congress of the Đồng Tháp Entrepreneurs Club in Ho Chi Minh City (DTE) took place in a warm atmosphere at the 272 Võ Thị Sáu Conference Center, District 3, HCMC. The Congress aimed to review the achievements of the past term, set timely development directions for the next term, and elect a new Executive Committee for the 2024-2029 term. The event was honored to welcome former leaders of the Party and the State, leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association (HUBA), leaders of various associations and business clubs in Ho Chi Minh City, leaders of departments and local authorities from Đồng Tháp province, as well as more than 100 official members and the Đồng Tháp Entrepreneurs community in Ho Chi Minh City. This turnout reflected the deep interest and enthusiasm of people from the homeland towards the general economic development and the positive social changes in the local community.

Impressive achievements of DTE during the past term

After five years of operation, the Club has carried out many trade promotion and business networking activities, such as: cooperating with relevant units of Đồng Tháp province to organize the Entrepreneurs and Enterprises Connection Day along with the Department of Planning and Investment; promoting consumer demand in collaboration with the Department of Industry and Trade; introducing food, specialties, and tourism from the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Đồng Tháp; and conducting trade and investment promotion programs, as well as surveying investment projects in Tháp Mười, Cao Lãnh, and Tam Nông districts.

The Club has also built relationships and business connections with the Ho Chi Minh City Gemstone and Gold Association, Business Associations in Bình Tân District, Bình Thạnh District, Thủ Đức City, Bình Chánh District, District 6, District 11, Saigon Entrepreneurs Club, and many other business clubs.

Additionally, DTE has actively responded to and participated in the initiatives and activities of the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association (HUBA) through events such as HUBA business coffee sessions, Vietnamese goods fairs, green business events, Vietnam Entrepreneurs Day celebrations, Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forums, and trade promotion activities between business clubs. DTE’s social connections and charity work have also spread since October 2019, including the agricultural product rescue model during the COVID-19 pandemic; alongside programs like "Rice for a Good Cause" with the Đồng Tháp Youth Union, rural road and bridge construction, and street lighting… all of which have significantly contributed to local development and brought many areas in Đồng Tháp closer to meeting new rural development standards.

According to the report at the Congress, from 2019 to 2024, the total amount contributed by the Club for social welfare activities in Đồng Tháp amounted to over 7.5 billion VND. The leadership of DTE took the lead in contributions: the Hùng Hậu Heart Fund donated many houses of affection, provided gifts for the poor, scholarships for students, and built rural bridges, contributing nearly 10 billion VND; Hưng Hưng Thịnh Company sponsored and mobilized more than 5 billion VND in Đồng Tháp; Mr. Nguyễn Văn Dưng, DTE Chairman, sponsored nearly 1 billion VND to build the Trà Bông Communal House in Cao Lãnh District.

Moreover, the Executive Committee members and DTE members also contributed significantly: Mr. Nguyễn Văn Thành sponsored the construction of a house of affection, a scholarship fund, and partnered with the ACE Club to donate bicycles, with a total contribution exceeding 600 million VND; Mr. Trần Hữu Đoàn contributed and mobilized funds through the "Warmth and Affection for Đồng Tháp" program, raising nearly 5 billion VND; Mr. Nguyễn Tri Phương and BNI Stars, the Provincial Youth Union, and the Department of Education and Training donated a school sanitation project in Thanh Bình District worth nearly 250 million VND; Mr. Nguyễn Văn Sang contributed to the construction of three houses of affection in Tháp Mười and Hồng Ngự Districts, as well as scholarships worth over 300 million VND; Mr. Nguyễn Văn Lộc sponsored and mobilized the construction of a rural bridge worth over 1 billion VND in Tháp Mười District, and more.

Expectations for the new term

Building on the achievements of the first term, in the second term (2024 - 2029), DTE members will not only engage in trade but also share experiences and knowledge to face and overcome challenges in the current economic context. The new term promises to create many cooperation opportunities, strengthen strategic partnerships, and develop important socio-economic projects.

Mr. Trần Hữu Đoàn, DTE Vice Chairman (Chairman of Gia Cát Consumer Joint Stock Company), shared: "Đồng Tháp entrepreneurs in Ho Chi Minh City play a crucial role in the national business community, contributing to the economic development process. With a large number of members working across various sectors, DTE’s mission is to gather strength and ensure sustainable development in the future. To achieve this, DTE needs a clear operational direction and a detailed development strategy, using its core values and goals as a guiding compass. The Executive Committee must identify the development strategy of DTE similarly to a business development strategy, aligning with DTE’s mission, vision, goals, and core values while setting specific KPIs and numerical targets for each phase. Practical programs and events must be organized to realize these goals. The Executive Committee should include individuals with Vision, Heart, Intelligence, and Integrity. After one year of operation, the roles of each member should be assessed. If a task is not completed, the individual should step aside to allow someone else to take responsibility."

Regarding the development of DTE’s "spine", Mr. Đoàn suggested that DTE should aim to gather at least 30-50 members with sufficient scale and potential, who are developing strong enough to become the "backbone" for the Club. These members should be ready to provide support in terms of human resources, material resources, as well as building credibility, influence, and attracting other entrepreneurs to participate.

In terms of membership development, Mr. Đoàn emphasized the need to expand DTE membership to at least 200-300 members within the next five years. Each DTE member should introduce and connect two new members to the Club, and Executive Committee members should introduce at least five new members. Additionally, diversifying the Club’s activities and building a strong brand image are key priorities for DTE. Each member should have a specific role and actively contribute to various programs and activities to meet diverse needs.

"To elevate its members, DTE needs to promote digital technology applications and provide new knowledge to help businesses expand globally. The Club's Trade Promotion Committee should organize trade promotion activities, cooperate with international partners, and create opportunities for DTE members to grow and expand globally. With a commitment to professionalism, Đồng Tháp entrepreneurs will continue to assert their position in the business community," emphasized Mr. Đoàn.

The 2nd Congress of DTE elected 23 outstanding individuals to the Executive Committee for the 2024-2029 term, including Mr. Trần Văn Hậu as the new Chairman, along with nine Vice Chairs and 13 other Executive Committee members. After taking office, the Club’s leaders passionately shared their commitment to developing the Club further, promising sustainable growth and positive changes in the coming period.

After taking office, Mr. Trần Văn Hậu, new Chairman of DTE, shared: "During the past term, the Club has made significant contributions to connecting Đồng Tháp entrepreneurs in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces, working together to support our homeland with practical, meaningful actions. These contributions have greatly helped transform the appearance of Đồng Tháp. These efforts are driven by the deep love and loyalty to our homeland, ‘Đồng Tháp, as pure as the soul of the lotus’."

"In the future, the new leaders of DTE will continue to strive to strengthen and grow the Club, contributing to the transformation of Đồng Tháp, making it a more beautiful, modern, and prosperous place, in line with our development motto: ‘Heart – Vision – Intelligence – Integrity’," the new Chairman emphasized.

The Congress was not only an opportunity for members to reflect on past achievements but also a chance to strengthen solidarity, share experiences, and connect resources to further the economic and social development of Đồng Tháp and Ho Chi Minh City.

With the theme "Connecting – Accompanying – Sharing" and the slogan "Raising the stature of the Entrepreneurs of the Pink Lotus Land sustainably," the Congress promises many breakthroughs in building a strong and integrated network of Đồng Tháp entrepreneurs in Ho Chi Minh City.

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