Mai Thi Nhung, a 25-year-old dynamic entrepreneur operating near TWPC wind farm in Vietnam
The TWPC wind farm has not only improved access to clean power in Vietnam, it has also brought a windfall of opportunities for local residents like Mai Thi Nhung. Below we tell her story as a testament to how the projects CFM funds can indirectly as well as directly benefit local communities, sparking economic growth.
Mai Thi Nhung, a 25-year-old dynamic entrepreneur from Tra Vinh Province Vietnam, has found her niche in the food and beverage industry, utilizing the tourism sparked by the TWPC wind farm to support and expand her restaurant business.
Before the wind farm was erected, Mai Thi Nhung ran a small kiosk where she sold coffee, drinks, and grilled food. When we visited the project in 2022, we noticed that her modest stand has transformed into a full-scale restaurant, staffed by a team of twelve diligent workers hailing from different parts of the province.
The wind farm, an unexpected magnet for tourists, has bolstered Mai Thi Nhung's customer base and given her business a significant uplift. "The business is operating well, and we have quite a lot of customers; therefore, our staff get paid higher compared to the region," she proudly shares.
Promisingly, the growth of her business has been largely self-sustaining. With the steady stream of revenue generated by the restaurant, Mai Thi Nhung has been able to fund an ongoing renovation project, without the need for external loans.
"About a year ago, it was only a small kiosk/stand but now, it has expanded into a self-funding business," she elaborates. More than a place of business, Mai Thi Nhung's establishment also provides accommodation for some of her staff. She has developed on-site living quarters, ensuring the comfort and well-being of her employees.