They are known as "micro-entrepreneurs," but although they wear the hats of entrepreneurs, they are neither CEOs nor owners of big corporations. They are not among those with easy access to large loans from credit institutions or with impressive influence on the market. They are simply a few poor people overcoming their fates. With loans of just a few of hundred thousand dong, "micro-entrepreneurs" achieved annual turnovers of VND4-5 billion. Still, with the memory of many years hunger and poverty in mind, Ms Tran Thi Su (Dong Nai) opens her heart, "Our family left Thanh Hoa to settle in Dong Nai ten years ago. At first, we just relied on forest growing but then floods swept away everything. Without land or a house until 2003, we were then granted a loan of VND500.000 by Dariu fund (Switzerland). That modest loan saved our family. With five hectares of land, we grew vegetables and crops, harvesting two and a half crops annually, selling more than 30 tonnes of farm products. Thanks to hard work and savings, we managed to pay back the debt and were not only able to bring up the children, but sent them to school as well. In 2006, we earned VND75 million and this year, up to VND125 million."
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