Quang Ninh Province Achieves Remarkable Poverty Reduction – A Story of Farmers, Loans, and Resilience
Quang Ninh, Vietnam – In a stunning success story of targeted economic empowerment, Quang Ninh Province has completed its sustainable poverty reduction targets for 2021-2025 a full three years ahead of schedule. The driving force? Accessible microloans from the Social Policy Bank, coupled with a supportive network of local Farmers Associations, are transforming the lives of rural communities and bolstering the region’s agricultural sector. This is urgent breaking news with long-term implications for development strategies across Southeast Asia.
From Garden Ponds to Billion-VND Incomes: The Power of Policy Credit
For Ms. Le Thi Huong of Lien Hoa neighborhood, the story is a familiar one. Starting with a modest livestock operation, she leveraged a 100 million VND (approximately $4,000 USD) loan from the Social Policy Bank, facilitated by the Farmers Association, to expand her integrated garden-pond-barn model. Today, her 4-hectare farm yields 2 tons of fish, 1.4 tons of shrimp, and over 1 ton of goat meat annually, generating an income exceeding 1 billion VND (around $40,000 USD). “We’ve been doing this for over 20 years, but the loan was the catalyst we needed to truly scale up,” Ms. Huong shared.
Her success isn’t isolated. Mr. Bang Van Thanh, a member of the San Diu ethnic group, used an 80 million VND loan to transform his chicken farming operation, increasing his flock from 1,500 to 10,000 birds and boosting his annual profits to 200 million VND. Ms. Nguyen Thi Duong is seeing similar success with a custard apple cultivation model, also funded through the bank.
A Network of Support: Farmers Associations and the Social Policy Bank
The key to this widespread success lies in the collaborative approach. The Farmers Association acts as a crucial trust channel, connecting farmers with the Social Policy Bank and ensuring responsible loan disbursement. Currently, 320 members in Lien Hoa District alone have accessed over 24 billion VND in loans. This isn’t just about providing capital; it’s about building confidence and providing guidance.
“Through the association, we’ve seen families invest in everything from goat and chicken breeding to shrimp and fish farming,” explains Ms. Hoang Thi Hong, President of the Lien Hoa District Farmers Association. “The economic efficiency of these models is remarkable, with many generating revenues in the hundreds of millions of VND.”
Beyond Poverty Reduction: Resilience in the Face of Challenges
The impact of these loans extends beyond simply lifting families out of poverty. The program has proven vital in helping communities recover from setbacks like the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, such as Yagi Storm No. 3. The loans provide a lifeline, enabling farmers to resume production and maintain their livelihoods.
Evergreen Insight: Microfinance, when implemented effectively with strong local partnerships, can be a powerful tool for sustainable development. The Quang Ninh model highlights the importance of tailoring financial solutions to the specific needs of rural communities and ensuring access for marginalized groups, like ethnic minorities. This approach contrasts with traditional top-down development models and emphasizes local ownership and empowerment.
A Province-Wide Transformation: Over 156,000 Beneficiaries
Across Quang Ninh Province, nearly 156,000 customers have benefited from preferential loans totaling nearly 10 trillion VND (approximately $400 million USD) over the past five years. This has created employment for nearly 87,000 workers, and as of July 31, 2025, outstanding loan balances reached nearly 5 trillion VND. The success is directly linked to the implementation of Resolution No. 06-NQ/TU and Resolution No. 16/2021/NQ-HDND, which prioritize capital borrowing for sustainable socio-economic development.
Mr. Nguyen Dang Kiem, Deputy Director of the Social Policy Bank, Quang Ninh Branch, emphasized the bank’s commitment to expanding access to these vital resources. “We will continue to work closely with the Central and Provincial Governments to ensure that 100% of eligible beneficiaries have access to our loans,” he stated. “We’re also focused on strengthening our network of savings and loan groups and providing ongoing support to borrowers.”
The story of Quang Ninh Province is a testament to the transformative power of targeted financial inclusion and a reminder that investing in local communities can yield remarkable results. As the province looks ahead, its commitment to sustainable development and economic empowerment promises continued prosperity for its citizens and serves as an inspiring example for others to follow. Stay tuned to Archyde.com for further updates on this developing story and in-depth analysis of successful poverty reduction strategies worldwide.
