Tran Thi Ngoc Tran
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Women’s Entrepreneurship Community Vietnam (WECV) is one of the core initiatives in my efforts to support women’s economic empowerment. Since 2022, it has been helping aspiring and established female entrepreneurs connect, learn from one another, and explore opportunities for collaboration. With a growing network of over 850 registered volunteer members, WECV offers a welcoming and private space to exchange ideas, share inspiration, and build meaningful partnerships.
Stay grounded in your values and mission while remaining open to adaptation. Build with—not for—your network. Invest in relationships, embrace rest when needed, and trust that meaningful, lasting impact comes from shared vision and collective action.
My motivation to pursue this work stems from witnessing the untapped potential and persistent challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Vietnam. Despite their creativity, resilience, and determination, many still struggle with limited access to networks, mentorship, funding, and safe spaces to nurture their ideas. With WECV, I set out to help build a supportive space where female entrepreneurs can connect, learn, and find encouragement. By fostering a culture of trust and collaboration, WECV helps ease the isolation many women experience in their entrepreneurial journeys and opens up new possibilities for growth. Our network of over 850 volunteer members speaks to the strong need for a community that uplifts women and helps them succeed on their own terms.
This initiative has not only fostered peer learning but also delivered tangible outcomes. With over 850 registered members, WECV has facilitated a range of learning and venture growth opportunities—both virtual and in-person—focusing on areas such as investment readiness, mentorship, product showcases, women’s entrepreneurship, and elevator pitch training. More than 80% of interviewed members reported that WECV directly helped them access new networks or resources they had previously lacked.
This work reflects my broader commitment—shaped by two decades of experience in education, women’s empowerment, and inclusive development—to advancing spaces where women and girls can thrive. The insights gained through WECV have also informed my doctoral research and global engagements, including my tenure as an Echidna Global Scholar, where I focused on building enabling environments for women entrepreneurs.
One of the major challenges I’ve faced has been sustaining momentum and engagement in a volunteer-based network like WECV—especially during periods of economic uncertainty and personal transition. Balancing the demands of network building with my doctoral studies and family responsibilities required intentional prioritization and a clear sense of purpose.
One of the proudest moments in my work was witnessing the organic growth of WECV, driven largely by word of mouth. What made it truly meaningful was seeing members take initiative—mentoring others, co-hosting events, and forming genuine partnerships. This spirit of shared ownership embodied our core vision: a network built with women, not just for them. Additionally, being selected as one of the top three finalists for the 2025 Australia Alumni Award was an encouraging affirmation of the quiet impact of my work.