In 2005, Nghi mortgaged all of his property to borrow VND45 million to raise Wattle-necked softshell turtles. The garden, which had been used to grow crops, was transformed into a tortoise farm. His decision was strongly opposed by his family, particularly his father, who believed that it would be better to grow rice and tea.

“It took us two months to finally decide to raise turtles,” Nghi said. Nghi and his family started with seven turtle couples. Pig and fowl can be sold after several months of raising, but it is five years for turtles.

Nghi’s belief in the success of his turtle raising model was confirmed after learning from his predecessors in Hoa Binh and Son La provinces. His hometown also has the necessary conditions to raise turtles, including clement weather and favorable terrain. 

After 17 years of raising turtles, he now owns a 3,000sqm farm. Nghi sells 10,000 breeding turtles each year, earning at least VND1 billion. Nghi, who is called the ‘turtle professor’, said he made nearly no profit in the first five years but the situation improved.

Nghi previously sold turtles to mainly China but because of the Covid-19 pandemic, he now sells tortoises domestically.

Ha Nguyen