Developing startup models in Dinh Quan commune

In recent years, Dinh Quan Commune has focused on encouraging innovative startup models and promoting private economic development. Startup activities in the area have become increasingly vibrant, with promising models initiated by young entrepreneurs.

The startup model producing bird’s nest products under the Tran Gia brand by Pham Le Dieu Hang’s family in Dinh Quan commune, Dong Nai province. Photo: Dan Nhi

Growing number of innovative startup projects

Recently, the startup project “Tran Gia Stewed Bird’s Nest” by Pham Le Dieu Hang in Dinh Quan commune, Dong Nai province, was among 30 projects selected for the final round of the 2025 Rural Youth Startup Project Contest organized by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee. The project not only showcases the strength and creativity of a young entrepreneur developing the local economy through Dinh Quan’s signature products but also reflects her aspiration to deliver high-quality health care products to consumers.

In 2018, Dieu Hang's family invested in building a swiftlet house to sell raw bird’s nests. Recognizing the strong market demand for bird’s nest products, by 2022, after researching and gaining experience in nest processing, the family invested in production facilities and launched their own brand: Tran Gia Bird’s Nest. After seven years of operation, the model has grown to include two birdhouses covering a total of 400 square meters, yielding up to 12,000 nests annually. To date, Tran Gia Bird’s Nest has introduced more than 10 core products made from bird’s nests, including raw nests, stewed nests, bird’s nest porridge, and bird’s nest soup with abalone.

By combining retail and wholesale distribution through traditional channels and social media platforms such as Facebook and Zalo, along with affiliate marketing, the model earns over VND 3.5 billion in annual revenue. The business has also created local jobs through its bird nest farming and production activities.

Building on its success, as well as aiming to scale the model and inspire other youth, in 2024, Dieu Hang brought her project to the 3rd Dong Nai Rural Youth Innovative Startup Contest, jointly organized by the provincial Youth Union and the Youth Federation, and won second prize. In 2025, her project was once again selected for the final round of the 2025 Rural Youth Startup Project Contest organized by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee. 

Pham Le Dieu Hang shared: “In 2024, Tran Gia Bird’s Nest received support from local authorities to apply for the OCOP (One Commune, One Product) 3-star certification. Our products also won second prize at the Dong Nai Rural Youth Innovative Startup Contest. With local government support, we feel more confident in pursuing our goals. In the coming years, we aim to build two more birdhouses, open a new retail store, and expand sales on e-commerce and social media platforms.”

Similarly, the startup project applying technology to goat farming by Le Ngoc Hiep Hoang from Hoa Dong hamlet, Dinh Quan commune, has also demonstrated creativity, passion, and innovation among local youth. This project won first prize at the 3rd Dong Nai Rural Youth Innovative Startup Contest.

Previously, Hoang’s family raised goats on a small scale in Hoa Dong hamlet, the former Ngoc Dinh commune. Over time, he improved and expanded the operation, helping replicate the meat goat farming model among other residents in the locality. The family now raises nearly 200 goats in nine sheds covering approximately 200 square meters. The sheds are simply designed, kept clean and quiet, and are located away from water sources. Unlike free-range models, Hoang’s goats are raised in a confined shed system.

Hoang said: “We installed solar lighting and surveillance cameras in the sheds, allowing close monitoring of the goats’ activities to minimize risks and take timely action. Goat manure is composted with lime to make organic fertilizer for crops or sold to local gardeners.”

The startup projects of local youth have inspired rural entrepreneurship in Dinh Quan in particular and Dong Nai province in general, encouraging a modern, green, and sustainable rural economy.

Supporting young entrepreneurs

The Party Congress Resolution of Dinh Quan commune for the 2025–2030 term outlines seven key solutions across various sectors, including the goal of developing a modern and sustainable economy based on science, technology, and innovation. The commune encourages entrepreneurship, supports enterprise and collective economic development, and aims to enhance the efficiency, reputation, and quality of cooperatives. The private sector is regarded as an essential driver of socio-economic development. Local authorities have also implemented support programs that provide business development services and promote industrial and value-chain linkages.

In recent years, Dinh Quan commune authorities and mass organizations have consistently supported youth entrepreneurship and career development. These initiatives have created opportunities for young people to exchange ideas, learn from successful models, and enhance their understanding of startup development, thereby contributing to local socio-economic growth.

Tran Trang Hong An, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dinh Quan commune and Secretary of the commune’s Youth Union, shared: “The Youth Union organizes forums where young people can meet, share experiences, and learn from successful economic models in the area. We also collaborate with the local branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies to introduce job creation loan program for young people with their startup and livestock farming projects. Such initiatives have empowered many local young people to confidently pursue careers and establish livelihoods right here in Dinh Quan.”

By Hai Quan, Tuyet Mai, Dan Nhi - Translated by Thuc Oanh, Minho