CEO and General Director of VID Group Nguyen Thi Nguyet Huong. Vietnam Investment Development Group (VID Group) led by 30 something year-old Nguyen Thi Nguyet Huong, its Chief Executive Officer and General Director, is considered a leading investor that has facilitated investment flows to many localities. So far, 10 industrial zones of VID Group in the northern cities and provinces have attracted nearly two billion USD of foreign direct investment (FDI) from over 300 investors from many countries and territories, including large brand names such as Sumitomo, Hitachi , Brother, Terumo and Nidex. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung  pays a working visit to learn about investment in the industrial zone in Hai Duong Province. Nguyet Huong (right) receives the “Golden Rose” Prize. The signing of investment cooperation agreement between VID Group and Sumitomo Company (Japan). The model of VID Group’s Phuc Dien Industrial Zone in Cam Giang District, Hai Duong Province. Truong Hai Company operates at Dai Tu Industrial Zone of VID Group. Ishigaki Rubber Vietnam Company operates at Dai Tu Industrial Zone. Sai Dong Garment Company operates at VID Group’s industrial zone. Necessity is the mother of invention Now all members of VID Group can be proud of the name of its group, a prestigious and effective investment brand name in industrial zones connected with the unceasing efforts, youth’s strength and strong will of its leader, Nguyen Thi Nguyet Huong who was awarded the titles “Typical Vietnamese Entrepreneur” and “Golden Rose” in 2007. Ten years ago, VID Group was only a shoe-making company which had to struggle with the issue of settlement. Although it was the top privately owned shoe-making company in Vietnam at that time, exporting products to over 20 countries, it had to use the manufacturing facilities of State-owned enterprises. With 2,000 workers and an increasing demand from customers, the company fell into a tailspin. In 2000, Nguyet Huong and the company rented 15ha in Hung Yen Province and cooperated with Lifan, a large group that was vying for the same property. VID Group was in charge of infrastructure construction while Lifan was in charge of production. Due to having a stable facility, Lifan Group developed constantly. It paid more than 100 billion VND a year to the provincial budget (accounting for about 10%) and provided jobs for nearly 2,000 locals. After this initial success, VID Group decided to invest in infrastructure development to create production facilities for enterprises. At that time, enterprises hesitated to build industrial zones because it required a huge source of capital. After making trips to southern Vietnam, China and other countries, Nguyet Huong saw that her company’s orientations were correct. “However, at that time Vietnam was not a member of the World Trade Organization and the procedures for applying the licence were slow and we lacked experience in this field. How to fill up the industrial zone was a difficult question that had to be answered. When I visited Shen Zhen ( China ), I was amazed to see that a poor fishing village of the past had transformed into a busy and beautiful city. I was determined to do the same thing in Vietnam ,” she said. Conquering all obstacles that stood in the way, a dream has become reality for the dynamic and effective VID Group. Going along with investors In 2001-2002, VID Group saw that Hai Duong Province began to allot industrial zones to individuals. At that time, private individuals did not invest in industrial zones. Investors were mainly joint ventures with foreign partners. Soon after taking over Nam Sach Industrial Zone in Hai Duong Province , an unsuccessful industrial zone, within 15 days VID Group solved all problems involving compensating the local people. However, just when the infrastructure construction was complete, the SARS outbreak happened and many foreigners were hesitant to come to Vietnam . Fortunately, about six months later, the disease was under control and many investors returned. Nam Sach Industrial Zone covering 63ha began to develop and attracted a lot of investors. It was praised for having the most rapid investment rate at that time by the Ministry of Planning and Investment. Within a year, 85% of its space was occupied by investors from Japan, South Korea, China (including Taiwan and Hong Kong), Malaysia ,… with a total investment capital of over 100 million USD. This success also taught VID Group many lessons about doing business, such as investing quickly and properly in infrastructure and attaching importance to calling and sharing with investors, which enabled VID Group to invest in other industrial zones, including Phuc Dien Industrial Zone covering 460ha in Hai Duong Province and attract more investment. Coming first to the playground was the Brother Company from Japan which specializes in producing printers, fax machines and multi-functional electronic equipment, with a total investment capital of 300 million USD, followed by other Japanese and Taiwanese investors. In 18 months, the whole industrial zone was occupied by enterprises. This was a very impressive speed compared with the time of 7-10 years for normal industrial zones. Apart from three industrial zones in Hai Duong, VID Group was also successful in investing in building Quang Minh Industrial Zone covering over 400ha in Vinh Phuc. From being an industrial complex, now Quang Minh has become the first industrial zone in the province with the presence of the world’s renowned investors. VID Group always goes along with investors. With a straight forward, uncomplicated method of working, it has received the vote of confidence from backers, which has helped it expand some other industrial zones successfully. Several years ago, Ha Tay Province continuously lost status with investors because its policy structure made them hesitate to come. The situation has changed since VID Group turned Phung Xa Industrial Complex in Quoc Oai into an industrial zone, which now is 97% occupied. The presence of Meiko, a large Japanese group producing electronic chips, with an investment capital of 300 million USD has attracted many other investors. Meiko Group is expected to attract 7,000 workers and pay 700 billion VND of tax annually to the budget. Phung Xa Industrial Zone has become a bright spot and brought Ha Tay Province from last place in the country’s list of attracting investment to third place. Also, VID Group has invested in Dong Van Industrial Zone in Ha Nam . Although having operated for only six months, this industrial zone has attracted 10 projects, including the Sumitomo Group’s project that has just started construction. To gain the trust of enterprises needing space in the industrial zone, particularly foreign enterprises, Nguyet Huong and her group have new ways of working and put forward effective policies on investment attraction. Besides attracting investment, they attach importance to the establishment of supporting service divisions to guide and assist the customers to overcome difficulties during their implementation of projects. The motto of the Group in working is really paying attention to the customers, considering customers as their relatives. Recognizing that the differences in language, customs, policies and laws are obstacles facing foreign enterprises who invest in Vietnam, VID Group not only assists the enterprises to establish their company in Vietnam but also exempts service fees on building the projects and applying for investment licence in the industrial zones. It also gives assistance and consultancy to the enterprises to help them receive the optimal investment incentives under the regulations of the Vietnamese Government. VID Group also helps the enterprises solve difficulties, such as production and trade in Vietnam , in a proper and timely manner.