Co Cay Hoa La, a brand under ONA Global Natural and Organic Products Joint Stock Company, founded by two young female entrepreneurs, has steadily established its name in the Vietnamese market. With a mission not only to provide natural personal care products but also to support women on their economic development journey, Co Cay Hoa La has contributed to building a sustainable agricultural value chain, enhancing the role of women in society. Notably, in October 2024, ONA Global joined the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) network, marking a significant milestone in affirming this mission.
Journey from Traditional Inspiration to Product Innovation
Inspired by her mother’s traditional care methods, Ms. Bich Nguyen, Co-Founder and General Director of ONA Global, shared: “The story of the ginger wine jars my mother used to care for us during winter inspired us to develop shampoo and shower gel products extracted from ginger and turmeric, alongside other natural Vietnamese medicinal herbs.” These products preserve the essence of Vietnamese tradition and cater to the modern trend of safe, natural beauty, forming the brand’s core values.
Challenges in Market Expansion Strategy
Currently, Co Cay Hoa La generates 60% of its revenue through online channels, with the rest coming from large pharmacy chains, mother-and-baby stores, etc. In addition, Co Cay Hoa La has been building a community to support women entrepreneurs, with over 40,000 members, directly creating stable jobs and sustainable income for Vietnamese women through the use of Co Cay Hoa La’s natural and organic products. Ms. Bich and her leadership team aim to expand into traditional distribution channels such as salons, spas, and luxury hotels to build the brand and drive sustainable business growth.
“Entering this market, particularly luxury hotels and spas, is not easy due to limited access and opportunities for business connections,” said Ms. Bich. This is a common challenge for women entrepreneurs, who often struggle to balance work and family, alongside the lack of targeted support networks for women-owned businesses.
WE RISE Together Project: Opening Opportunities for Sustainable Collaboration
To address these challenges, the WE RISE Together project, organized by UN Women and WISE, promotes diversity and gender-responsible procurement, creating opportunities for women-owned businesses like Co Cay Hoa La to reach large potential customers.
By participating in WISE’s six-month accelerator program, the company has improved its management capacity, market development, and gender equality practices, while gaining a deeper understanding of procurement policies and procedures of luxury hotels. This has enabled them to tailor their products and business strategies to meet the demands of the high-end market. Moreover, the project has directly helped the brand connect with like-minded partners, developing a sustainable supply chain and increasing its presence in premium customer segments.
A Breakthrough with JW Marriott Hanoi
Last August marked a significant milestone for Co Cay Hoa La brand when it officially signed a contract with JW Marriott Hanoi, one of the prestigious hotels within the globally renowned Marriott International chain. Through the WE RISE Together accelerator program, JW Marriott Hanoi shared its diverse and sustainable procurement policies, enabling women-owned businesses like ONA Global to align their strategies with suitable supply requirements. Co Cay Hoa La’s products are now available at the hotel’s spa, representing a major step forward in entering the high-end service market.
This success reflects not only product innovation but also the value of finding partners with a shared vision of sustainable development, supporting Vietnamese agriculture, and enhancing the role of women in the community. The collaboration with JW Marriott Hanoi helps solidify the brand’s presence in the luxury market, opening doors for long-term, sustainable growth.
Future Vision: Expanding to International Markets
Co Cay Hoa La is not only focusing on the domestic market but is also eyeing international expansion. The brand is concentrating on exporting body care products made from Vietnamese agricultural ingredients such as ginger, turmeric, and red beans. With Cosmos Organic certification, they are confident in bringing high-quality, health-conscious products to global consumers.
By 2030, the brand envisions that every Vietnamese household will have at least one of its products, continuing its journey of creativity, innovation, and sustainability.
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The Business Acceleration Program for women-owned businesses is part of the WE RISE Together project—creating equal market opportunities for women by diversifying suppliers through gender-responsible procurement in Vietnam. The project is funded by the Australian Government through the Mekong-Australia Partnership and implemented by UN Women in collaboration with WISE.
Through the project, women-owned and gender-responsible businesses gain access to opportunities in the tourism supply chain in Vietnam. Activities include improving management capacity, market development, and promoting gender equality.
👉 Learn more about the WE RISE Together project: https://bit.ly/3PrpLJz
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Co Cay Hoa La – A cosmetic brand certified by the FDA, pioneering the application of Vietnamese agricultural products such as ginger, lemongrass, turmeric, red beans, green tea, and certified organic ingredients by Ecocert Cosmos into shampoos, body washes, and other health and beauty care products.👉 Learn more at: https://cocayhoala.vn/
