SIB Connect 2024: Maries – The Journey of Bringing Huế Far and Wide

“Dear Delegates,

I am Suong Lan, a daughter of a poor, low-lying rural area where the Lepironia grass has been closely intertwined with the lives of countless generations. I come from the city of Hue – the sixth centrally governed city of Vietnam. Please give a warm round of applause to celebrate Hue with us! 💜

Today, I am honored to share the journey of Maries – a social impact business born in the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Maries – A Dream From a Poor Rural Area

Maries was born with the desire to bring about positive changes in the lives of women in the rural villages of Hue. These are the grandmothers and mothers who have dedicated their entire lives to traditional handicrafts. Throughout the tumultuous months of the pandemic, we realized that stable income and the continuation of traditional craft values were their deepest aspirations.

The Lepironia grass – a raw, simple material – holds infinite potential. Through the skilled hands of rural people, the Lepironia grass has been “transformed” into environmentally friendly products that carry the deep essence of Vietnamese culture. It is this very aspiration that inspired me and the Maries team to embark on the journey of building our brand, bringing Hue’s handcrafted products to new heights.

A Milestone at SIB Connect 2024

On the morning of December 11, 2024, in Hanoi, I had the honor of representing Maries and sharing our journey at SIB Connect 2024, an event that gathered social impact businesses (SIBs), government agencies, intermediaries, pioneering businesses, and investors.

In just 6 minutes, I shared the emotional story of Maries – a story nurtured by the desire for progress among women from impoverished rural areas. The applause and encouraging gazes from the audience in the hall were a tremendous source of support for the journey ahead.

New Opportunities – New Vision

After SIB Connect 2024, many opportunities have opened up not only for Maries but also for other social impact businesses. This has been an important stepping stone that brings us closer to our goal of expanding Hue’s handcrafted products beyond Vietnam, reaching international markets.

The journey of Maries is a living testament to the value of perseverance, creativity, and love for our homeland. From small handmade products, we are striving to build a sustainable future where traditional cultural values are not only preserved but also celebrated.

Thank you to SIB Connect for providing a wonderful platform for us to raise our voices, allowing the dream of Hue to reach the hearts of many more people.