Supporting Social Entrepreneurship Among Vietnamese Youth

Abstract: Social entrepreneurship is gaining increased prominence internationally as a vehicle for addressing a range of socioeconomic issues, including access to decent and inclusive work. In Vietnam, such enterprises have become a key component of the country’s sustainable development strategy, with national competitions awarding start-up prizes for a few of the many young would-be social entrepreneurs. Competitions like this risk a sense of broken promise, in which unsuccessful and thereby disappointed applicants quit the sector prematurely. Recent research in Vietnam highlights a pivotal retentive support role for mentoring these promising social entrepreneurs, based on traditional village values of cooperation. Research shows these values to be central to social entrepreneurial resilience and success in Vietnam. It further suggests an extant network of successful social entrepreneurs who could mentor young runners-up, so that their ideas, energy, and career pathways are not lost. A national network of social entrepreneurs has been formed; and its mentors have indicated their willingness to support young people. This brief thereby proposes a next step: creation of a pro bono nationwide academy, dispersed in location but united in purpose, to support social entrepreneurship among Vietnamese youth.