Let the passion lead

Nguyen Xong, 31, of Hoai Nhon commune, Binh Dinh province, graduated from the National Academy of Public Administration - Ho Chi Minh in 2014 and returned to his hometown to work as an official of the Management Board of Land Fund Development Center and later as a constructor and veterinary medication distributor. These jobs provided him a stable income, but he could not abandon his enthusiasm for lotus plants.

The 10-meter-wide lotus pond in Lam Truc 2 is a gift from nature to the residents of Hoai Thanh ward. In the old days, when the lotus pond was unspoiled by humans and the environment was pure, Xong remembered being surrounded by the alluring scent of the lotus flowers.

"The scent of lotus must have been in my blood from childhood. Therefore, despite holding a number of steady positions out there, I opted to return to my hometown and build my business with the lotus pond," Xong said.

Xong recalled that the 10-hectare lotus pond was formerly the region's "green lung." However, owing to a lack of management and care, the number of lotus blooms decreased.

Each time Xong visited his homeland, he saw the lotus pond being "killed out" by humans, which distressed him. He conceived the idea of "reviving" the lotus pond before deciding to start a business with the lotus plants. To make his goal a reality, he investigated lotus farm-tourism models across the nation and then applied them to his hometown startup. In addition to exploiting lotus plants for tourism, he processed and used their full value.

In addition to the VND55 million rental charge, he committed VND100 million to purchase more lotus varieties to cover the whole pond and to recruit workers to renovate the surrounding environment after underwriting a five-year contract with the Lam Truc lotus pond in 2019. The newly planted lotus leaf burnt under the effect of the weather, while the lotus body was destroyed by a golden apple snail. The increasing number of obstacles eroded his willingness, but he maintained his desire.

Making a profit from your passion

Xong said that after the harvest of the first crop, the lotus-derived items were sold to merchants to cover the costs of rent, labor, and lotus seedlings. Then, he researched the market and acknowledged that all processed lotus-derived items would be sold for double the price of raw lotus materials.

In 2020, Xong invested in several basic types of machinery, including a flour mill, dryer, vacuum machine, etc., to serve the processing of lotus goods in order to cut labor costs and preserve post-processed products to assure quality, food safety, and hygiene. 

"Processed lotus is a relatively new product line on the market, so most customers purchase a little quantity to try it out; if the quality is good, they will order more and suggest it to others", Xong continued, "When I first began my business, I drove my vehicle every day around the province to advertise the processed lotus goods, but the selling price was unacceptably low, and I sometimes had to take a loss in order to find a market."

To date, however, "5 Xong" lotus products such as dry roasted lotus powder, which is used to produce milk and cakes; whole dried lotus seeds; roasted lotus seeds; dried lotus heart... are available in oriental pharmacy stores and restaurants around the country. Even sometimes, demand exceeds supply, particularly around holidays like Tet", added Xong.

By the end of the year 2020, Xong invested in creating a bamboo bridge on the pond as well as four floating bungalows to create poetic and beautiful scenery that will attract people seeking to relax. Visitors to the Lam Truc lotus pond may immerse themselves in the tranquil atmosphere of the hamlet, breathe the pure scent of lotus blooms, and savor traditional lotus delicacies made by him.

Visitors are mesmerized by the lotus root salad, fried calamari wrapped in young lotus leaves, grilled snakehead fish wrapped in lotus leaves, and beverages produced from lotus seeds, lotus roots, and the core of the lotus seeds.

"The Lam Truc lotus pond's development direction has shown visible efficacy; if it is better invested, its future prospects will be brighter. I hope that the local government and relevant industries will pay attention and create proper conditions for me to get a long-term contract for a lotus pond. It would encourage me to spend more on facilities, sophisticated machinery, and equipment to increase the value of the products, register to establish a brand name, and continue to create new lotus-based products for export, said Nguyen Xong.

Translated by Linh Linh