Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh, Founder and Chairwoman of WeLead – Network of Trailblazing Women Leaders (WELEAD); Former Chairwoman of Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council of VCCI; and Founder of ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN), has become the first Vietnamese and the fourth individual to receive the prestigious ASEAN Award for her significant contributions to establishing and developing the first community of women entrepreneurs across the entire 10-country ASEAN region.
The ASEAN Prize stands as the region’s foremost honor, presented annually to acknowledge inspirational achievements and significant contributions to ASEAN community building efforts. Established in 2018, this award symbolizes the commitment of the ASEAN Secretariat and each ASEAN member state to recognize the exemplary contributions of ASEAN citizens and organizations in promoting ASEAN identity, fostering the ASEAN spirit, and upholding the path of ASEAN.
At the opening session of the 43rd ASEAN Summit held in Jakarta, President of Indonesia, Mr. Joko Widodo, who serves as the current Chairman of ASEAN, awarded the "ASEAN Award 2023" trophy to Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh. This momentous occasion was witnessed by Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, the ASEAN Secretary-General, and attended by ASEAN Leaders, Ministers, Diplomats from ASEAN countries, and Heads of State from guest countries. The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation were also present to celebrate this proud moment for Vietnamese citizens.
Furthermore, Mr. Haji Muhammad Iqbal Fakhri bin Haji Damit from Brunei, the recipient of the 2022 ASEAN Award, was also honored during the same event. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Award Ceremony was postponed by one year compared to the original schedule.
In an interview with the press agencies, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh humbly shared that the 2023 ASEAN Award not only recognizes her as an individual but also acknowledges the important contributions and collective efforts of Vietnam, VCCI, AWEN, and all her partners and colleagues. It is a source of pride for the entire nation. Notably, the ASEAN Women’s Committee (AWC) of Vietnam, represented by the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs, initiated the establishment of the ASEAN Women’s Entrepreneurs Network. In collaboration with VCCI leaders, they entrusted Mrs. Minh, as the Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council at VCCI, to bring this vision to life in 2010. This award also signifies the recognition and appreciation of Vietnamese individuals at the regional level for their ability to contribute and envision progress. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh has become a symbol of cooperation and unity within the ASEAN community while showcasing the pride and potential of women in advancing economic and social empowerment in Vietnam and across ASEAN. Her unwavering commitment has made a significant contribution to the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community.
