As part of the study visit and experience-sharing program under the project “Gender Equality through Vocational Education and Entrepreneurship Empowerment” (GEVEE), held from January 19–23, 2026, Aide et Action Vietnam (soon to become Action Education) welcomed and coordinated a series of meetings and field visits for the Lao delegation in Hanoi and Lao Cai Province.

The Lao delegation included representatives from Aide et Action Laos and local project partners such as the Lao National Commission for the Advancement of Women, Mothers and Children, the Women’s Unions of Oudomxay Province and Khammouane Province, the Gender Development Association, and women entrepreneurs participating in startup models supported by the project.

Professional Exchange and Implementation Experience Sharing

On January 20, at the AEA Vietnam office in Hanoi, both sides held a working session to introduce the overall implementation of the GEVEE Project in each country, while sharing key achievements, approaches, and strategies in supporting women and youth in livelihood development, entrepreneurship promotion, and gender integration in education and career orientation.

The discussion session also provided an opportunity for participants to exchange lessons learned and discuss the adaptation and application of suitable models within the Lao context.

Field Visits in Lao Cai Province

Continuing the program, on January 21–22, AEA Vietnam collaborated with the Lao Cai Provincial Women’s Union and local partners to organize a series of field visits for the Lao delegation in Lao Cai Province.

Attending the working session with AEA Vietnam and the Lao delegation were Ms. Dinh Minh Ha, Chairwoman of the Lao Cai Provincial Women’s Union, along with members of the project management and coordination team in Lao Cai.

During the visit, the delegation had the opportunity to experience several outstanding women-led business models, including five-color bamboo sticky rice (cơm lam ngũ sắc), traditional herbal yeast production, and community-based tourism models. These initiatives were winners of the “Business Innovation Challenge 2024” and the “Potential and Inspiring Women-Led Business Models Competition 2025,” and are currently receiving in-depth support from the GEVEE Project to further develop and scale up their operations.

Through the field visits, delegates not only learned about local production and business models but also directly experienced the unique cultural identity of ethnic minority communities in the area, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage linked to sustainable livelihood development.

Ms. Giang Thi Du, owner of the bamboo sticky rice business model, shared her journey of building and growing her business through support activities implemented by AEA Vietnam.

In addition, the delegation visited and worked with the Lao Cai Center for Vocational Education and Continuing Education to gain firsthand insights into vocational training programs under the project, while exchanging implementation experiences and practical lessons in youth career guidance between the two countries.

Promoting Regional Learning and Sustainable Cooperation

The study visit and experience-sharing trip to Vietnam is one of the key activities of the GEVEE Project, contributing to stronger connections and cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, promoting regional learning, and advancing shared goals of gender equality and economic empowerment for women and youth.