The Ultimate Guide to Success: How One Man’s Daring Venture into ‘Drunk Food’ Made Him a Small Fortune

In 2012, Le Van Thuan (born 1985, Chan Long village, Thieu Hop commune, Thieu Hoa district, Thanh Hoa province) decided to leave his job as a tour guide in Hanoi and return to his hometown to start a business.

Initially, Mr. Thuan rented over three sao of flooded paddy fields in the commune to set up a farm for raising pigs, cows, and fish. However, after a short period of experimentation, these animals yielded insignificant profits. Not long after, he converted part of the fish pond area to raise spiny softshell turtles.

In an interview with Nong Nghiep Viet Nam, Mr. Thuan shared: “Over a decade ago, many localities started farming specialty species, including people from Thieu Hop commune. Through research and learning from highly effective turtle farming models, I realized that this species is easy to raise, has few diseases, requires minimal investment, and offers high profits. So, I decided to try farming them.”

The area where Mr. Thuan farms turtles is considered the “water source” of Thieu Hoa district. During the flood season, fish and shrimp gather here in abundance. Instead of buying industrial feed, farmers can take advantage of this natural food source to feed the turtles. In addition, Mr. Thuan also dug more ponds to release miscellaneous fish, ensuring a food source for the specialty species in case of a shortage of fish and shrimp from the wild.

As an experienced turtle farmer, Mr. Thuan shared his insights: “Turtles are easy to raise, but it’s important to ensure they have a sufficient and nutritious diet. Additionally, the water must be changed periodically to prevent the bottom of the pond from becoming contaminated, which could cause diseases in the turtles. Their food source is easily accessible and can include golden apple snails, shrimp, and ground miscellaneous fish…”

In an interview with Lao Dong, Mr. Thuan revealed that with a scale of 500 commercial turtles, the revenue after one farming cycle would be around 450-500 million dong, with a profit of about 250-300 million dong after deducting the capital investment. The larger the scale of turtle farming, the higher the profit.

Mr. Thuan’s farm spans a total area of three fish ponds and three turtle ponds, along with some other animals such as pigs and cows. The turtle farming area covers 0.6 hectares, with a turtle population ranging from 500 to 1,000 individuals. Currently, his farm houses over 600 turtles, including both commercial and breeding stock.

It’s not just Mr. Le Van Thuan’s family; many other households in Thieu Hoa district have also achieved comfortable incomes thanks to turtle farming.

Dinh Van Tuan, another successful turtle farmer from Thieu Hoa, Thanh Hoa, shared his experience with this relatively profitable business model.

“The income from turtle farming can’t be calculated monthly. For example, if I sell 200 turtles per batch, I’ll earn 200 million dong. After deducting expenses, my profit will be over 100 million dong. It takes about three years to recoup the investment in turtle farming. Additionally, when running a farm, it’s essential to diversify income streams. If you’re focusing on turtle farming, consider doing it on a large scale to maximize profits,” advised Mr. Tuan.

Currently, Mr. Tuan’s farm spans nearly 10 hectares, integrating snail and fish farming, over 1,000 ducks, and three turtle ponds with a population of nearly 900 turtles.

According to Lao Dong, in the rural commune of Thieu Hop, almost all households farming turtles prefer the spiny softshell turtle species, despite its higher price, due to its stronger vitality and superior meat quality compared to the smooth softshell turtle.

The primary market for turtles is local restaurants and hotels. However, farmers are now considering selling their turtles to major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as other provinces.

The turtles from Thieu Hop are highly regarded for their quality. After being transported to restaurants, the turtles are monitored for 5-7 days, and only if no issues arise does the seller receive their profit; otherwise, they have to take the turtles back.

Mr. Quan Van Hai, Chairman of the Thieu Hop Commune Garden Association, shared that the most significant challenge in turtle farming occurs during the first three months. At this stage, the turtle’s skin is very thin and susceptible to skin diseases. Additionally, as turtles are voracious eaters, they tend to scratch each other’s backs during feeding time, leading to skin abrasions and potential fungal infections.

“In Thieu Hop, turtles are raised naturally, and their food is mostly sourced from local produce. Turtles in Thanh Hoa are usually raised for a longer period, resulting in firmer and more delicious meat, which commands a higher price. Currently, more than 70 households are engaged in turtle farming, employing both pond and tank methods. While pond farming saves costs and labor, it requires a larger land area,” Mr. Hai added.