At 67, Tran Van Thong, a resident of Cau Ke Commune, Vinh Long Province, has been recognized as an outstanding farmer of 2025. Friendly and warm, his ever-present smile puts people instantly at ease.

Born into a traditional farming family, Thong received 0.2 tael of gold (approximately 0.75 ounces) from his parents when he got married 43 years ago.

With a passion for agriculture and a dream of building a better life on his native land, he and his wife bought 2,500sq.m of rice paddies. They supplemented their income by raising pigs, storing and selling rice when prices rose, and selling homemade cakes.

“We worked the fields every day, scraping together money through various jobs. Slowly, things began to improve,” Thong recalled. Eventually, they purchased an additional 1 hectare of rice land.

Building an agricultural business from the ground up

By 1995, Thong began combining rice farming with the sale of plant protection chemicals, initially distributing surplus stock to fellow farmers. As profits increased, he expanded operations and officially opened a store in 2010.

Adhering to the philosophy, “Money should buy land, not just build a nice house,” he invested consistently in rice fields when prices were still affordable. Today, he owns 15 hectares of rice paddies across several areas in the commune and its surroundings. Additionally, he maintains 1.2 hectares of five-year-old coconut trees that yield a stable monthly harvest.

Thong has entrusted his siblings to help manage the land. His rice fields produce three crops a year, mostly planted with Ga and OM18 rice varieties. Each 1,000 square meters yields a profit of about $80 per crop. The coconut orchard generates about $600 in monthly income.

His main business advantage lies in the direct supply of agricultural chemicals from manufacturers, bypassing middlemen and reducing costs. With such a large area under cultivation, he also serves as a distribution partner, with some enterprises guaranteeing to buy his output.

Thong is planning a gradual transition to high-quality and organic rice farming to increase market value and income. Low-yield plots will be converted to coconut or fruit trees, which are well-suited to local soil and have more stable prices.

“Farming today requires flexibility. If you focus on only one thing, it’s hard to survive in such a volatile market,” he said.

Helping others and giving back to the community

Beyond his own business, Thong helps dozens of low-income and near-poor households obtain loans to improve their livelihoods.

He also collaborates with local authorities to encourage community development efforts - repairing roads, building bridges, and upgrading rural infrastructure - making travel easier for residents and students alike.

From just two gold chi, Thong has built a sustainable and productive farming operation, turning tens of hectares of land into a thriving business. His story is not only one of personal success but also one of resilience, reinvestment, and community service.

Hoai Thanh