Deafinitely Doing It: Women Entrepreneurs Breaking Barriers in Vietnam

Filming at the nail salon

Did you know that according to the National Deaf Center, deaf women are more likely to own and run businesses than their hearing peers? With 3.2% of deaf women stepping into entrepreneurship, compared to 2.8% of hearing women, these inspiring women are defying the odds—and we have the story to prove it!

Nguyen Tran Thuy Tien, a brilliant deaf woman from Vietnam and the founder of PARD Vietnam, has launched the DeafLife Series: Empowering Deaf Women Entrepreneurs, made possible by a Giving Joy grant. The series showcases the everyday heroes of the deaf community: three amazing deaf women— a nail technician, a crochet shop owner, and a tailor— who are doing more than just making a living. They're making waves!

This series isn’t just about business, it’s about breaking barriers and smashing stereotypes. The stories of these women show the world that deafness doesn’t limit potential. In fact, it amplifies it! And these women are proving it every single day.

For many of them, this project marks the first time they’ve been able to share their story with the world— and the result is nothing short of transformative. As one of the women said, “Seeing my story in a documentary made me realize just how much I’ve achieved!”

Beyond the powerful storytelling, this project has strengthened PARD Vietnam’s advocacy for deaf entrepreneurs, opening doors to new connections, partnerships, and collaborations. Tien, who is a passionate advocate for deaf empowerment, shared, “It’s a milestone in advancing our mission and building stronger alliances.”

And here's the icing on the cake— this isn’t just about the three featured women. The DeafLife Series will have the potential to reach 15,000 people, creating a ripple effect of inspiration and empowerment. It will:

Inspire deaf individuals to see themselves as successful role models
Encourage families and friends to cheer on their loved ones’ accomplishments
Challenge employers to recognize the immense talents of deaf professionals
Help the world break stereotypes and embrace inclusion.

This series is more than a set of videos—it’s a movement in the making. And we couldn’t be more excited to see where it goes! Thank you for being part of this journey and for helping us bring these powerful stories to life.