Women have certain advantages such as thriftiness, endurance, patience, kindness and when necessary can also be equally tough and determined as men to ensure fast and efficient business activities, said Ms. Do Thi Kim Lien, Honourary Consul of South Africa in Ho Chi Minh City. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, Vietnam Business Forum reporter discussed with Ms. Kim Lien on the role of women.
Could you tell us the pressure as Honourary Consul of South Africa in the past two months?
I don’t feel it as a pressure as I enjoy working in my position. AAA insurance has entered the fifth year in Vietnam. My colleagues and myself have completed the development of offices, trademark, sales network and insurance products. We are operating a modern IT network on insurance management. The mechanism is running with high capacity and efficiency. Therefore, it allowed my to take this new job.
Vietnam has several famous women diplomats, what do you learn from them?
They do have a strong influence on Vietnamese community. I highly admire former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh, a talented diplomat. Many of her diplomatic activities have become legendary. She is the symbol of modern Vietnamese women. I always follow her example in my work and life.
How do you see the role of modern women, which is the most important for you: diplomacy, business or family and how can you spare the time for the three roles?
Nowadays, women can have the chance to show their capacity. They can be equal and even in some aspects doing better than men. They have more patience and endurance and when necessary become more determined and efficient. Their hardship must be recognized and shared by the society.
Though I like business activities, family is important to me. The two things are actually one. While family is the strong foundation and source of happiness for women, work improves their status in the society. I am lucky to play three roles as diplomat, entrepreneur and housewife. I am happy with what I am doing.
In 2010, South Africa will play host to the World Cup, what will you do to promote the image of South Africa to Vietnam and Vietnam to South Africa?
Football is the King sport with special attraction for the whole world and takes place every four years. I will take this opportunity to promote the image of Vietnam to South Africa and the world. I will also provide Vietnamese people information on South Africa. As an entrepreneur, I will also upgrade businesses activities between the two countries. And as Honourary Consul of South Africa, I will make the event more meaningful to the people of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam as a whole.
On this occasion, instead of applying for visas in Hanoi, visitors and businesspersons in Ho Chi Minh City can apply for visas at the office of South African Honourary Consulate at 25 Phung Khac Khoan, District I, HCMC. Special visas will be granted to tourist groups or business missions to visit South Africa on the occasion of the World Cup.
Quang Dai
Vietnamese
