The successes of the programme in 2022 has provided the company with a strong incentive to continue it for many years to come, helping disadvantaged women to improve their livelihoods.

Thi Thi Ngoc Hanh - vice chairman of Duc Hue Women's Union reporting results of the programme

The programme has been underway in the remote villages of My Quy Dong and My Thanh Tay on Vietnam’s borders. Most residents here have low and unsecured incomes, unstable jobs, and have been affected by the weight of the prolonged pandemic.

Along with support from BAT, all 40 households have used their loans wisely, with 12 running small businesses and 26 raising livestock including cattle, pigs and chickens.

Vo Thi Tuyet, a member of the Women’s Union in My Quy Dong commune, said that her family had faced financial difficulties. After receiving support being an interest-free loan worth VND10 million ($430) from BAT, her family’s living standards have gradually stabilised.

Tuyet’s family is one of 40 households in the two border communes of My Quy Dong and My Thanh Tay in Duc Hue district to benefit from the “Women Empowerment” programme.

“After one year of implementation, the programme has helped women living in border localities to find stable jobs, paving the way for participation in social work. Others have harvested good knowledge and experience in animal husbandry to provide stable lives for their families,” said Thi Thi Ngoc Hanh, vice president of the Women’s Union of Duc Hue district.

Daniel Hsu, general manager of BAT Vietnam, said, “We are so proud that the Women Empowerment programme’s interest-free loans offer such a meaningful and practical approach. By joining hands with local authorities, we provide disadvantaged women in rural areas with opportunities to earn steady incomes, so they can lead stable lives.”

He added that empowering women is also part of Vietnam’s national strategy on gender equality that helps women to play an active role in the families and strengthen their social status. “These meaningful achievements are the driving force for BAT Vietnam to continue the programme in other localities for years to come to build a better life for women in border areas,” he said.

ESG commitments

Empowering women is one of various environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities that BAT Vietnam has been implementing over the years, harvesting positive and meaningful results.

In recognition of its ESG contributions, the company has been named in the “Top 100 Sustainable Businesses in Vietnam” at the announcement ceremony of Sustainable Enterprises in Vietnam for 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 jointly organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development .

BAT Vietnam shining among the “Top 100 Sustainable Businesses in Vietnam” in 2022

Especially, BAT became the pioneer of its industry in ESG reporting, marking the celebration of a 27-year journey in Vietnam. This provides a strategic vision with clear standards and goals while offering an overview of the company’s sustainability activities and achievements in 2021.

In addition, BAT Vietnam has teamed up with Gaia Nature Conservation in a bid to combat climate change and protect biodiversity in Vietnam with afforestation projects in Ca Mau and Dong Nai from 2022-2025.

The project is expected to cover four hectares in Dong Nai Nature Reserve and convert 120ha of alluvial ground into forests in the Ca Mau Cape Natural Park.

This is proof of the company's commitment to reaching carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and 2 by 2030, and further promoting its ESG mission.

On this journey, BAT Vietnam’s sustainability goals are well aligned with the agenda of the group and at the same time joins hands with the business community to contribute to Vietnam’s national agenda for sustainable development to 2030 according to the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.