Hien DangAmidst the endless demands of work, family, and society, we sometimes lose connection with ourselves. The Inner Glow was created as a rare moment of stillness – a space where beauty is no longer measured by outward appearance but drawn from wholehearted presence and the recovery of inner strength and emotion. It offered a gentle, slow-paced setting where guests could truly listen to themselves and reconnect with energies that may have long been forgotten.
On the afternoon of 24 July 2025, NỮ DOANH NHÂN – BusinessWoman Magazine and Step in Style successfully hosted The Inner Glow – an intimate workshop at Novotel Saigon Centre, welcoming 50–80 guests, including female entrepreneurs, artists, experts, and individuals seeking deeper balance in their lives.
Held mid-year – a natural pause in the annual rhythm when fatigue, both physical and emotional, begins to surface – the event came at a time when many find themselves silently worn down, stretched between professional duties, family responsibilities, and expectations that often exceed their limits.
The Inner Glow emerged as a refined sanctuary. A space for guests to return inward, to reconnect with emotional layers long obscured, and to gently awaken the original light within their souls.
Before the mini talk, host Liêu Hà Trinh introduced NỮ DOANH NHÂN – BusinessWoman Magazine’s exclusive Membership Programme – a tailored initiative aimed at fostering a strong, values-led community. Members enjoy a range of privileges: access to workshops and talk shows, media support for business communications, participation in podcast series and 1:1 networking with experts, exclusive meet-and-greet events, and partner benefits curated by the magazine.
Also revealed was the return of NEXT Awards 2025, slated for November, generating much excitement. Promising fresh updates, this year’s edition will continue to celebrate inspirational success stories and honour outstanding contributions by individuals and businesses across various fields in Vietnam.
A Gentle Invitation to Come Home to Oneself
Mid-year offers a brief but precious opportunity for reflection. A moment to revisit the goals we once set and ask: Where am I on that journey? We may be functioning well, fulfilling daily roles… yet somewhere deep inside, it may have been a long time since we truly paused to reconnect with ourselves.
So, what gradually erodes our inner strength? And how can we not only recover – but return to a vibrant, emotionally present version of ourselves?
Connection Through Emotion – Healing Through Empathy
The programme opened with a moving mini talk, featuring Ngọc Diễm (Miss Tourism Vietnam 2008), entrepreneur Bích Phương, and Dr Lý Thị Mai, with heartfelt moderation by MC Liêu Hà Trinh. These multi-talented women, each with her own story and lens on life, had all walked through darkness before reclaiming their own inner glow.
Ngọc Diễm, often admired as a “multi-tasking woman” who always appears poised and radiant, shared for the first time her emotional collapse after stepping down from JCI leadership and ending a long-term relationship: “I was exhausted to the point where my body cried out – I was diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer”.
Bích Phương, Founder & CEO of Buttery Cake Café, brought the room to silence as she spoke of the immeasurable grief following the loss of a loved one – a sorrow that left her emotionally paralysed for a long time. She also reflected on the unrelenting pressures of the F&B sector: “F&B is an industry where you’re expected to please everyone. Competition is a given. That’s why I see being allowed to feel tired as a kind of blessing”.
Dr Lý Thị Mai offered a more philosophical view: “Life is a series of choices. Each one comes with both joy and pain. We all struggle – but if we didn’t, how would we know what happiness truly is?”
Small Shifts, Lasting Impact
Moving beyond their personal stories, the speakers offered simple, practical strategies for reconnecting with inner strength – not through expensive solutions, but through gentle, accessible practices.
Ngọc Diễm pointed to the mental strain that today’s women face: “Everything is changing so rapidly, and we unconsciously keep running to catch up. We also fall into the trap of comparison, assuming others’ success is the standard – even if it’s not what we truly desire. We must ask ourselves: ‘Who am I? What do I want?’ and learn to find joy in the smallest things. That’s the most sustainable path to healing”.
Bích Phương shared disciplined yet simple methods: writing down her worries, setting a 24-hour ‘expiry time’ for negativity, and starting each day with sunlight, warm water, and deep breaths. “With time, I found these small rituals helped lighten my heart and gave me clarity”.
Dr Lý Thị Mai highlighted the power of authenticity and community: “We’re all human – and we all feel. There’s no need to pretend to be cheerful all the time. Allow yourself to feel, to embrace your emotions. And surround yourself with a nurturing community – like a child learning to face challenges, we grow a little more each day”.
A Space for Multi-Directional Dialogue
The talk show extended the conversation to the audience, inviting diverse perspectives and personal stories of resilience. Everyone had their own way of navigating pain.
MC Trung Coffee shared how he overcame emotional trauma from heartbreak and workplace manipulation: “I chose to face it and transform that pain into art – something I could share with others”.
MC Hoàng Kiều Khanh recounted her physical trauma after a travel accident that left her with a broken arm. Yet she chose humour and gratitude: “It actually brought me closer to people – they showed me more care. And I felt lucky the injury wasn’t worse, and that my travel companion wasn’t hurt”.
A representative from BH Med – Ms. Linh offered a thoughtful take on modern women’s silent battles – constantly juggling work, family, and invisible pressures: “Evening is often the only time women have for themselves – when all their roles momentarily fade. Skincare, supported by modern technology, becomes a quiet act of self-healing. When we care for our appearance, our spirit also revives. And the feeling of ‘being oneself’ sometimes begins with moments just like these”.
Healing Through the Senses
Guests also enjoyed a Personalised Essential Oil Workshop, guided by the team from Là AN – Home Coming. Each participant created their own unique scent – a sensory reminder of inner calm and individuality.
Throughout the event, a Lucky Draw added a note of surprise and delight – a gentle reward for those who had chosen to slow down and spend an afternoon reconnecting with themselves.
PARTNERS IN ALIGNMENT
Workshop Inner Glow would not have been complete without the support of partners who shared the same values and vision to spread positivity. NỮ DOANH NHÂN – BusinessWoman Magazine and Step in Style extend heartfelt thanks to: MSD United Way Vietnam, Embryolisse, Novotel Saigon Centre, BH Med, TRI Pollar, Là AN – Home Coming.
EVENT INFORMATION
- Date: July 24, 2025
- Venue: Novotel Saigon Centre, 167 Hai Bà Trưng, Ho Chi Minh City
- Organised by: BusinessWoman Magazine & Step in Style
ABOUT BUSINESSWOMAN MAGAZINE
Launched in November 2008, BusinessWoman Magazine is Vietnam’s first print publication dedicated to successful women entrepreneurs. Published quarterly, it explores themes of personal growth, lifestyle, and leadership. The magazine also hosts talkshows, forums, and workshops aimed at connecting and empowering female leaders.
Website: https://nudoanhnhan.net
ABOUT STEP IN STYLE
STEP IN STYLE is a lifestyle platform focused on fashion, beauty, personal branding, and community values. It also organises leading events, talkshows, and forums for professionals and creatives across industries.
Website: https://stepinstyle.vn
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