Today, A Pho, from Kon Chenh village in Mang Den commune, Quang Ngai province, is not only earning hundreds of millions of VND each season but also inspiring a broader transformation across his community.

A turning point rooted in the land

For years, A Pho’s family, like many others in the village, depended on traditional crops grown across 3 hectares of land. In good seasons, the harvest was just enough to get by. In difficult years marked by drought or falling prices, the family faced mounting hardship.

But A Pho saw something others had overlooked.

Mang Den’s temperate climate and fertile soil, he believed, held far greater potential than low-value staple crops. After careful consideration, he made a decisive move in 2023 - clearing his cassava fields to make way for cold-climate vegetables.

He began cultivating crops such as carrots, radishes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, strawberries and angelica, aligning his choices with market demand.

Applying science to farming

Determined to improve both yield and quality, A Pho invested time and effort in learning modern agricultural techniques. He visited established farms in Mang Den, studied their methods and gradually adapted them to his own land.

He installed water-saving irrigation systems to ensure consistent moisture and reduce labor, while prioritizing organic fertilizers and limiting the use of chemical pesticides to meet clean produce standards.

This combination of careful planning and technical adoption has allowed his farm to operate more independently of weather conditions, delivering stable yields and a diverse range of products that are well received in the market.

From survival to strong returns

With 3 hectares under cultivation, A Pho now completes two to three crop cycles each year. Traders come directly to his farm to purchase the harvest.

Each crop brings in a profit of around VND300 million (approximately US$12,000) - many times higher than what he once earned from cassava.

Yet for A Pho, the transformation did not stop at agricultural output.

Turning fields into destinations

Recognizing the growing appeal of experiential travel, he began integrating his farm into the local tourism landscape.

Kon Chenh village, home to the Xo Dang - Mo Nam community, has long preserved its cultural identity and is developing community-based tourism. A Pho’s neatly arranged, high-tech vegetable fields have added a new dimension to that experience.

Visitors now come not only to explore local traditions but also to step into the role of farmers - harvesting fresh produce, walking through vibrant rows of crops and purchasing goods directly at the source.

This model has created an additional stream of income while serving as a powerful way to promote local agricultural products.

A ripple effect across the village

A Nat, the village elder of Kon Chenh, noted that the village is home to more than 110 households and over 360 residents. Inspired by A Pho’s success, many families have begun converting less productive land into cold-climate vegetable farms.

A Pho has openly shared his knowledge, guiding others in cultivation techniques and encouraging a shift in mindset.

His journey reflects more than individual success. It signals a broader transformation - where innovation, community and confidence are reshaping livelihoods across the highlands.

In the lush green rows of his fields lies not only economic value, but also a renewed belief that prosperity can grow from the very soil beneath their feet.

Ngoc Chi