French businesswoman eager to develop Vietnamese economy
Stephanie Saint Albert, a French lady of Vietnamese descent, always wants to return to Vietnam and do business with domestic partners to boost the country’s economy.
She is also known as a golden-hearted overseas Vietnamese who has been to remote areas to help the poor.
Stephanie granted an interview to VOV when returning to Vietnam on a three-day visit.
What are the reasons that bring you back to your homeland?
I moved to settle in France when I was small. My husband’s family has a vineyard and passion for growing grapes, so I also developed a passion for the winemaking industry. For the past six years, I’ve thought that I should bring the famous French wine products to Vietnam and introduce Vietnamese people to French culture. That’s why I set up the Stephanie 888 Company, to contact Vietnam more easily.
Meanwhile, Vietnam has changed a lot in recent years – the country has become more developed and wealthier. I anticipate bright prospects for doing business in Vietnam. Regarding my next projects in Vietnam, I will undertake them gradually.
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| Stephanie and her business partners |
Have you found it easy to integrate well in Vietnam now?
At my home in France, I adopt a half European, half Asian lifestyle, so I don’t feel strange in the culture here. My father is a foreigner but my mother is a Vietnamese, who was born and grew up in the northern province of Bac Ninh. I was five at the time I relocated to France.
My mother always wants her children to keep Vietnamese customs and the Vietnamese language. I have read Vietnamese books and tried to learn about the country.
Could you tell us about your charitable activities?
Those are just my small projects. I want to assist my compatriots facing difficulties in Vietnam.
I have a son who can speak Vietnamese fairly well. I taught him Vietnamese out of my deep feeling for my motherland. I often took my son along when visiting orphanages and rest homes.
I engaged in charity work in about five provinces, in Tram Gian Pagoda, in the Hai Thinh coastal area, and Nam Dinh province.
I recognize that there remain many, many children and poor people who need further help. I hope in the future I will have more time to do this work.