Our Story

In the early period of Vietnam’s renovation process, many non-governmental organizations integrated credit–savings activities into development projects and regarded them as an important component to ensure the sustainability of poverty alleviation programs. With the dedicated support of an advisory expert from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Vietnam Women’s Union established the credit project “Affectionate Fund” to provide capital support for poor women, following the Grameen Bank approach from Bangladesh.

The more than 33-year journey of TYM’s establishment and development is a proud one: from a small credit project, TYM has proven its effectiveness and sustainability and has become one of the leading microfinance institutions in Vietnam today.

Learn more about each stage of TYM’s formation and development here:

1992-1997: Building a Firm Foundation

1989: The Executive Board of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women’s Union launches “women helping each other in the family economy” to achieve long-term development goals by eradicating hunger and poverty. This landmark initiative is the origin of all the VWU’s credit programs.

1992: The Affectionate Fund (TYM) is established under the VWU’s Department of Family and Living Affairs Department in the Soc Son district of Hanoi.

1995: After successfully piloting the program, the VWU decides to expand the model to new provinces and districts. Oxfam America starts providing large-scale support.

1998-2005: Affirming the TYM Model

1998: TYM was removed from the Department of Family Life, becoming a separate unit under the Presidium of the Central Committee of the VWU.

2006-2009: Achieving Financial Stability

2005: TYM and the VWU sign a strategic partnership agreement with the German Savings bank Foundation for International Cooperation and CARD Philippines.

2006: TYM becomes a “revenue-generating unit” operating for non-profit purposes.

2010-present: Integrating, developing, and gaining formal recognition

2010: TYM became the first licensed Microfinance Institution in Vietnam.

2013: TYM officially changed its name to “Tinh Thuong One member Limited Liability Microfinance Institution.”