Growing up in Yên Thành, a remote commune in Vietnam, Hủng Thị Dạng’s path to success was never easy. But she has overcome the odds to become a successful tea entrepreneur and community leader, fuelled by her flame of ambition and determination to build a better life.
Fighting for an education
As a young girl, Dang rose at 4am to walk to school, defying societal norms that discouraged girls from pursuing education. She fought to attend university, funding her studies through part-time jobs, and graduated with honours in pre-school education. But despite her qualifications, she couldn’t find a stable teaching job back home. A short-term contract paid barely enough to survive, and she was forced to give up her teaching dream.
To support her family, Dạng tried everything – from collecting scrap to selling tea leaves and running a grocery shop – but her income remained small. “I felt hopeless,” she recalled. “I even considered leaving for work elsewhere, but I couldn’t imagine breaking up my family.”
Village Savings and Loans – An opportunity to think big
Her turning point came in 2022 when she joined a village savings and loan association (VSLA) supported by CARE. The programme aimed to empower women through economic opportunities. Dạng was chosen to lead the local Livelihood Group and soon began thinking bigger – about tea.
Her village sits among ancient Shan tea trees, planted by ancestors over 60 years ago. Locals had always sold fresh leaves at low prices, often losing income due to poor roads and limited buyers. Dạng saw an opportunity: process high-quality tea locally to create value and jobs.
In early 2023, she entered a start-up competition hosted by CARE and the AWEEV – Advancing Women Economic Empowerment in Vietnam project funded by the Government of Canada. Drawing on her childhood experience making yellow tea with her parents, she pitched a plan to build a small processing facility. Her idea was selected for support.
She used soil from her family’s tea hill for the foundation, and received equipment and training through CARE. In September 2023, her facility – named Thượng Trà (Highland Tea) – produced its first batch.
By September 2024, her workshop had produced nearly four tons of finished tea. With professional packaging and a distinctive brand identity, Thượng Trà became Yên Thành’s first scaled tea facility. CARE helped design elegant boxes featuring ethnic motifs, and Dạng learned to market her tea at trade fairs and online. She embraced social media, creating Facebook and TikTok channels to reach customers nationwide.
Creating opportunities for local women
But Dạng didn’t stop at personal success. She hired and trained local women, many of whom once lacked income or confidence. By involving them in tea harvesting and processing, she helped improve their lives too. “I want to help women earn more and believe in themselves,” she said.
Her husband, San, has since become her strongest supporter—handling school runs, transporting goods, and working alongside her. “We share everything now,” he said. “That’s true equality.”
A vision for the future
Through her leadership in the VSLA, she expanded into new livelihood groups, offering more women economic opportunities. Still, Dạng sees deeper issues—especially illiteracy—as barriers to long-term change. “Many women here can’t even write their names,” she said. “Even my mother struggles with dialing my number.” Her dream is to start adult literacy classes once her business stabilizes.
Today, Dạng’s days are full—from tending tea hills and managing production to livestreaming and mentoring others. But she remains focused, fuelled by the same fire that lit her journey.
I want to be a flame. Because fire is powerful.” - Hủng Thị Dạng
From a determined student in a struggling village to a tea entrepreneur and community leader, Dạng has become a beacon of possibility. The flame she carries has not only changed her life—it’s lighting the way for many others.
