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| Organic ginger tablets invested in packaging design |
Upgraded
Tran Thi Thanh, the founder of the "Thanh An Organic Ginger Tablets" brand (Thuy Luong Ward, Huong Thuy Town), has recently been awarded by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (now Hue City) at the 2024 Startup Innovation Competition.
In recent years, witnessing her family's traditional craft decline, Thanh couldn’t stand idly by. "Market demand dropped because we couldn’t compete regarding packaging and convenience. After a period of research and learning, I decided to invest in machinery and started producing organic ginger tablets," Thanh shared.
These small ginger tablets are neatly packed in compact, elegant boxes—an immediate advantage of Thanh's startup product. They have a warm, fragrant taste and, most importantly, are totally natural, preserving their fiber content. The health benefits of ginger are well known. Now, with an upgraded design that enhances convenience, portability, and affordability, the product is steadily gaining market acceptance.
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| "Cajeput Oil " product model features a sophisticated design |
With her expertise in technology, in addition to equipping machinery and modernizing the production process, Ms. Thanh invests in promoting products, putting her products on e-commerce platforms, developing online sales channels, etc.
"To produce ginger tablets, I took a leap of faith," Ms. Thanh shared. "It required investing in washing machines, slicers, dryers, and centrifugal extractors, but if fear holds us back, we will never move forward." And so, a Hue ginger-branded product has taken shape in the market—a modernized version that retains its traditional flavor while offering greater convenience and ease of use.
With support from the Women's Union at various levels, Thanh's products have been showcased and sold at fairs and women’s startup exhibitions. Therefore, her ginger tablets have become increasingly well-known, gradually gaining customer trust. Aside from employing dozens of workers, Thanh has expanded her sales network, recruiting nearly 50 collaborators to reach more customers.
From the first orders, Thanh's ginger tablets are now available across multiple online sales platforms. Besides ginger tablets, she produces turmeric tablets, ginger powder, and turmeric powder to diversify her products and meet customer preferences.
Hue’s cajeput oil has long been a well-established brand, renowned for its quality and meticulous distillation process. The cajeput oil produced by Ms. Pham Thi Kim Tien’s family in Phong Dien is no exception. Rather than adhering to the generic name "Huế cajeput oil," Ms. Kim Tien has elevated her family's traditional craft by developing a distinctive brand. With official quality certification from the relevant authorities, her products have gained greater consumer trust, allowing her family’s business to reach wider markets.
"Every job is meant to develop the family economy, so why not use the knowledge we have to develop our family’s traditional craft? With the mindset that everything must be done properly—ensuring quality and regulations—I registered a business license, trademark, and product quality certification," Tien shared.
Thanks to a well-structured start, Ms Tien’s Kiem Phong Kim Cajeput Oil brand is gradually proving itself in terms of quality and packaging design. Instead of being solely sold in bulk, with the traditional 100ml flat bottle design, her cajeput oil comes in various types and sizes.
When traditional products are elevated by the younger generation—enhancing both quality and design while building their brands—they can achieve sustainable growth, establish a market presence, and secure a place in customers' hearts.
Reviving crafts, building brands
Preserving and developing traditional crafts not only employs local workers but also solidifies the recognition of these products. With their perspective and business acumen, young entrepreneurs—especially women—are finding innovative ways to modernize traditional crafts, shaping their unique brands. Many traditional family crafts, once at risk of fading away, have been revived and transformed into distinctive brands by these women.
Market access remains a challenge. Therefore, leveraging online sales platforms and e-commerce marketplaces is an advantage. To reach customers in this digital space, beyond ensuring product quality, attention to design and packaging is crucial.
When traditional products owned by women entrepreneurs are no longer solely handmade but benefit from modern equipment and large-scale production, costs decrease. The products retain their traditional essence while being packaged in innovative, diverse, and modern designs, aligning with consumer preferences. This transformation contributes to elevating traditional craft brands.
Ms. Tran Thi Kim Loan, a Provincial Party Committee member and Chairwoman of the City Women's Union said: "In recent times, the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation, along with successfully connected ideas and projects, has created jobs, increased income, and improved the lives of women members. As a result, many women-led businesses, cooperative groups, and traditional craft production and business cooperatives have been established. The application of digital technology in introducing startup products has been a key focus of the Women's Union at all levels. The City Women's Union regularly organizes training sessions to raise awareness about digital transformation, online business, and the use of digital platforms to promote products and participate in e-commerce markets. To date, hundreds of traditional craft products by female members have been showcased in the online space. These speak volumes for women’s positive contributions to the city's socioeconomic development."