Age is not a barrier to starting a business

After retiring, Ms. Le Thi Hang (born in 1968, residing in Chanh Phu Hoa ward, Ho Chi Minh City) did not choose a leisurely life, but chose to start a new journey. That is starting a business with handicrafts made from environmentally friendly materials such as: water hyacinth, sedge, sedge...

Passion is "awakened"

Ms. Le Thi Hang is an impressive contestant at the Final round of the 2025 Creative Startup Idea Presentation Contest, with the theme "Application of digital transformation in business startups", held in mid-June.

The project has successfully surpassed 13 ideas and projects to win the second prize. The project "Decorating souvenirs, handmade with water hyacinth, sedge, sedge bags, rattan and bamboo" by Ms. Le Thi Hang not only impressed by the beautiful and sophisticated products but also by the story of the project owner.

Having worked in the construction industry, after retiring, Ms. Le Thi Hang chose to change careers to pursue a "green" project, with the profession of weaving and making handicrafts. When she was a young girl, Ms. Hang learned the craft of weaving from her relatives. She thought that her passion had "fallen asleep" after she entered the construction industry.

However, during recent trips, seeing unique bags made from water hyacinth, Ms. Hang seemed to have "awakened" her youthful passion. "During my trips to the West, I saw that the market had many fashionable and beautiful bag designs. I have a knitting skill so I wanted to try it. Gradually, I decided to start a business," said Ms. Le Thi Hang.

From her first products, she decided to hire more workers and rent a workshop specializing in making decorative items and handmade souvenirs. The project officially started in August 2024. This project has created jobs for 10 local women, many of whom are middle-aged.

Ms. Le Thi Hang (left) introduces the product

These are women who have difficulty finding work in industrial zones. The hand-weaving work at Ms. Hang’s workshop allows them to be proactive about their time, have work on the spot, do not have to go far to work and still have extra income. They participate in stages such as weaving, drying raw materials, tearing water hyacinth, etc.

Weaving requires perseverance and high technical skills. This makes many young people today reluctant to pursue this profession, while older skilled workers are limited in health. In a highly competitive context, the new job requires Ms. Hang to spend many sleepless nights to understand the profession, grasp consumer tastes, design trends, sustainable fashion, etc. to be able to create beautiful products that can win over customers.

"The first difficulty is processing the raw materials. Water hyacinth must be processed properly to be able to weave, and the raw materials are not always available. There are seasons when it is abundant, and there are seasons when it is scarce, and the quality of water hyacinth is not consistent. When I started production, I had to rent a workshop, which cost a lot of money. Not to mention the lack of skilled workers, I had to both teach and work with them," Ms. Le Thi Hang shared.

Not stopping there, she also has to face competition, where traditional handicraft products have to compete with mass-produced, cheap products with constantly changing designs. "Doing traditional handicrafts now requires not only skillful hands but also quick response to trends. You have to understand what customers like to be able to sell the products," Ms. Hang emphasized.

Spreading green lifestyle

Sedge, water hyacinth, rattan, bamboo - materials closely associated with rural life in Vietnam - through the skillful hands of people become fashionable bags and delicate decorative items. The highlight of Ms. Le Thi Hang's products is the combination of traditional weaving techniques and modern designs, aimed at those pursuing a green lifestyle and sustainable fashion.

Ms. Le Thi Hang also focuses on improving materials by combining recycled materials such as old jeans, cotton fibers, wooden beads, shells... to create environmentally friendly and highly personalized products.

Product of Ms. Le Thi Hang

"Customers can order custom bags and mix and match materials to their liking. As a result, the products are both diverse and unique, one-of-a-kind," said Ms. Hang.

Ms. Le Thi Hang’s startup project is targeting urban customers aged 18-50, who love handicrafts and environmentally friendly products. In addition to souvenir shops and eco -tourism spots, the products are also put on e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, etc.

Not stopping there, Ms. Hang also wants to export products through agents and international e-commerce platforms. "Foreign customers really like Vietnamese handicrafts. They appreciate the uniqueness and ingenuity in each product. If there is a good distribution channel, I believe my products will have a place," Ms. Hang said.

In the near future, Ms. Le Thi Hang plans to open skill training classes, improve professional skills and creative design, helping women become more confident and gradually take control of their family's finances . Because for this woman in her 60s, starting a business is not only to get rich but also to give women the opportunity to be financially independent and develop themselves.

"Age is not a barrier. Women can start a business at any age as long as it is related to their passion and heart. Starting a business at an older age has advantages in terms of life experience, finance and the ability to face difficulties.

"Sisters, don't be afraid to change. Knitting a bag is like building a house. It requires dedication, perseverance and love for the job," Ms. Hang confided.

Sharing her feelings when winning the Second Prize at the Final Round of the 2025 Creative Startup Idea Presentation Contest, Ms. Le Thi Hang expressed: "I am very honored that my project was awarded the Second Prize. This is a great source of motivation for me to continue creating and spreading the value of traditional handicraft products. I believe that each handicraft product contains a story and my story has been heard. I hope that many more young people will come to handicrafts and tell stories with their skillful hands."

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/tuoi-tac-khong-phai-la-rao-can-de-khoi-nghiep-20250801150524202.htm