Unilever Hero: Nguyen-Hieu Tho
Innovative business model
Launched at the end of 2013, our Perfect Village programme – the first ever public–private partnership business model in Vietnam – is designed to bring our Sustainable Living Plan activities to rural areas.
However, it was difficult to roll out the programme in Dak Nong, in the central highlands, because there were no distributors, due to high costs and low returns. And as it’s not easy for people in this area to travel to large towns, they didn’t have access to our products – such as soap, detergent and toothpaste – that could improve their health, hygiene and quality of life.
A sense of responsibility
Tho set about recruiting retailers, supporting them to develop business strategies that would deliver good results. He also worked hard to build ties with the community, organising projects to support poor children. This helped him gain the trust of the local people.
He has been a pioneer of Vietnam’s first Perfect Village programme which, in addition to boosting local business, has raised awareness of health and hygiene.
Tho says: “I am very proud to work for the Perfect Village regions. I took the assignment with a sense of responsibility. My aim is to create more stores to help improve more people’s lives.”