Tiêu điểm 20/10: Những người phụ nữ bình thường mà phi thường | VTV24

Key Concepts

• Women's Participation in the Workforce: High percentage of Vietnamese women in the labor force, exceeding global averages, and their increasing diversification into various professional fields.
• Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Women challenging traditional gender roles and proving their capabilities in male-dominated professions.
• Resilience and Determination: Stories of women overcoming adversity, personal challenges (illness, age), and societal expectations to pursue their passions and achieve success.
• Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment: Women establishing businesses, cooperatives, and contributing to community development and poverty reduction.
• Community-Based Tourism: Ethnic minority women leveraging their cultural heritage and local resources to develop tourism initiatives and improve their livelihoods.
• Personal Growth and Self-Improvement: Women continuously learning, adapting, and seeking opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Legacy and Contribution: The idea of leaving a positive impact on the world through one's actions and choices.

Summary

This video highlights the extraordinary achievements of ordinary Vietnamese women, particularly in the context of Vietnamese Women's Day (October 20th). It emphasizes that true extraordinariness often stems from resilience, the ability to overcome adversity, and the courage to break societal norms.

Women's Role in the Vietnamese Economy and Society

The report from the General Statistics Office in 2024 indicates that 63% of Vietnamese women are participating in the labor force, a figure described as impressive compared to the global average. This statistic underscores not only their strong economic participation but also their significant contributions. Women are increasingly entering diverse professional fields beyond traditional roles, including science, technology, economics, and high-skill industries. This trend reflects societal development, the dismantling of gender role limitations, and women's growing confidence in showcasing their talents and capabilities across all aspects of life.

Challenging Gender Norms in Male-Dominated Professions

The narrative emphasizes that women's extraordinariness lies in their willingness to challenge stereotypes and prove that they can excel in any position they are capable of, including those traditionally considered suitable only for men.

• Hạnh, the Truck Driver: The story of Hạnh, a petite woman weighing around 36 kg, who drives a 30-ton truck, exemplifies this. Despite initial skepticism due to her size, Hạnh, whose family has a tradition in wood production and transportation, was exposed to trucking from a young age and decided to pursue the profession. She navigates challenging routes with radii of 200-300 km, primarily consisting of mountainous and steep roads. Her work involves continuous trips, sometimes extending for a month, leading to fatigue and emotional strain. She recounts working for three days and nights due to urgent client demands, resulting in skin issues and dark circles under her eyes. Her motivation is the belief that her current efforts will lead to a better future. She finds solace by calling her children and mother when feeling down.
• Cô Yến, the Tailor: Cô Yến has dedicated over 40 years to tailoring, a profession where women were a rarity in her early career. She recalls that out of an entire shop, only two or three women were tailors, and as a young, unmarried woman, she felt shy cutting for male clients. However, her passion for the craft drove her, with the belief that "if men can do it, women can do it too." She finds joy in making people look beautiful and in their satisfaction with her work. She also expresses her love for her truck, which she has decorated extensively with pink accents, a refrigerator, and a sound system, making it feel like her home. The satisfaction of a client's positive reaction and their return fuels her passion.

Resilience and New Beginnings in Later Life

The video highlights that extraordinariness also comes from women who start anew at ages when others might choose to rest, demonstrating an unwavering spirit and a refusal to give up.

• Bà Bình, the Cooperative President: At the age of 70, Bà Bình chose to embark on a new journey as the president of a cooperative. She emphasizes that age is not a barrier; passion and enthusiasm are key. She actively learned and gained experience, discovering that lemongrass could be processed into essential oil, not just sold raw. Her deep involvement in the process ignited her passion, driving her to develop the cooperative. The cooperative now has nearly 90 members, 90% of whom are ethnic minority women. Each member earns an average of 5-6 million VND per month, a significant income for rural residents. Notably, many poor and near-poor households have escaped poverty and are prospering through lemongrass cultivation. Bà Bình faced initial opposition from her family and struggled to secure loans due to the ambitious nature of her idea. However, her determination, passion, and support from various agencies enabled her to succeed and repay all debts. Her greatest achievement is the economic development of the community.
• Bà Dung, the Marathon Runner: Diagnosed with lung cancer at nearly 60, Bà Dung refused to surrender to fate and redefined her life. She became known for running in red or blue shirts with a backpack across various routes in Yên Bái. Initially, friends doubted her ability to run, even betting she couldn't complete 5 km. Now, those friends owe her money for breakfast and taxis. Bà Dung believes that "nothing is impossible if you are determined." Her most significant achievement is completing a 42 km marathon, inspiring the local running community. She is the oldest member of the Yên Bái Runners Club, where members motivate each other, and she serves as an inspiration for overcoming illness and conquering oneself. She reflects, "It doesn't matter how long you live, or how many days you live. What matters most is what you leave behind when you are gone."

Women as Driving Forces in Tourism

The video posits that women are silent but powerful driving forces in the tourism industry, contributing significantly to its growth and development.

• Global and Vietnamese Tourism Statistics: According to the World Tourism Organization, women constitute 54% of the global tourism workforce, indicating their substantial presence and decision-making roles in the sector. Vietnam is also part of this trend.
• Community-Based Tourism by Ethnic Minority Women: Women from ethnic minority groups, who may have previously lived isolated lives, are now opening new avenues for their communities through community-based tourism. Without formal training, they learn to welcome guests with genuine hospitality, acquire basic foreign language skills (e.g., "What's your name? My name is... Welcome to..."), transform traditional stilt houses into homestays, and present traditional cuisine as cultural experiences. Their extraordinariness stems from their courage to experiment, make mistakes, and believe that even in remote mountainous areas, women can build economic prosperity by leveraging their cultural heritage.
• Thi Cân's Story: Thi Cân, living in Bản Liền village, Lào Cai province, runs a homestay and engages in agricultural activities. She describes her life as happy, balancing childcare, homemaking, and farming. She is a pioneer in bringing community-based tourism to her village. Her family's homestay is integrated with agricultural work, including rice harvesting, tea picking, and cinnamon farming. She collaborates with neighboring women, sharing knowledge and participating in cultural and recreational activities.
• Impact of Training and Empowerment: Through training programs like the GRE project (promoting gender equality through tourism and agriculture development), women like Cân learn tourism skills and basic English for interacting with international guests. Cân shares her learning process, studying online courses and learning a few words each night, demonstrating her dedication. The income generated from tourism empowers women in the village, allowing them to assert their voices and gain recognition. Cân expresses a desire for other women to have similar opportunities for learning, interaction, and spousal support, and she aims to ensure her children receive a good education. The women of Bản Liền, once only familiar with farming, are now confidently introducing their villages, gaining knowledge, interacting with others, and inspiring change. Their small steps are contributing to a new image for their homeland, fostering respect and pride for every woman.

Conclusion

The video concludes by reiterating that what makes women extraordinary is not necessarily grand achievements, but their choice to persevere through life's difficulties, to smile, and to spread love. On Vietnamese Women's Day, the program extends wishes to all women, encouraging them to be "normal in their own extraordinary way," regardless of their location or occupation. The core message is that resilience, determination, and the refusal to be limited by age, illness, or societal constraints are the hallmarks of true extraordinariness.