Markets

Thanh Hóa’s “Life-Changing” Tree Transforms Farmers’ Fortunes: A “Gold Mine” Yielding Billions Annually, Exporting Globally

This is a familiar tree deeply rooted in the lives of Vietnamese people. It has become a "golden mine," transforming lives and bringing prosperity to those who cultivate it.

Administrator

26 September, 2025

Thanh Hoa has long been known as the “capital” of bamboo and rattan, with vast areas spanning the western mountainous regions. In recent years, thanks to changes in production methods, many cooperatives (HTX) have boldly invested in deep processing, expanded their scale, created stable jobs, and increased income for local residents.

Bamboo and Rattan Become a “Gold Mine” for Locals

Bamboo, rattan, and thatch blanket the commune of Hoi Xuan (Thanh Hoa) and many other mountainous areas. Previously, most residents engaged in small-scale harvesting, leading to unstable incomes. To enhance the value of bamboo, rattan, and thatch, cooperatives have been established, linking households with large rattan forest areas. This collaboration has generated tens of billions of dong in revenue annually, providing stable employment for hundreds of local workers with an average monthly income of 7 million dong.

The most significant difference today lies in technology. While traditional methods were once dominant, many facilities have now invested in modern production lines for cutting, planing, splitting, pressing, drying, and termite-resistant treatment. As a result, bamboo and rattan products are not only durable and exquisite but also safe for users.

Bamboo and rattan in Thanh Hoa (illustrative image).

There are nearly 60 bamboo and rattan processing facilities in the mountainous areas of Thanh Hoa. Instead of producing only raw materials like chopsticks and votive papers, many cooperatives have diversified into straws, cutlery, brushes, storage boxes, decorative trays, furniture, and high-end interiors. These products feature modern designs, are eco-friendly, and meet both domestic and international market demands.

In an interview with Kinh Doanh Electronic Magazine, a representative of the Thanh Hoa Bamboo and Rattan Association highlighted the advantages of abundant raw materials, skilled traditional labor, and reasonable costs. Many cooperatives have proactively listed their products on e-commerce platforms to expand their sales channels.

Expanding to International Markets

In reality, many bamboo and rattan products from Thanh Hoa have conquered demanding markets. Vibabo LLC has signed long-term contracts to supply bamboo straws, bamboo tableware, and pressed bamboo furniture to foreign partners, with orders totaling tens of millions of products annually and revenue of 3–4 billion dong.

All products meet FSC, ISO, CE, and OCOP 3–4 star standards, facilitating entry into European, Japanese, and South Korean markets.

Hop Phat Cooperative (Thanh Hoa) consumes approximately 15,000 tons of rattan annually, producing over 5,500 tons of paper and votive items, primarily exported to Taiwan (China) with a value of nearly 6 million USD. The cooperative employs more than 170 workers, offering salaries ranging from 7.5 to 25 million dong per month.

A Sustainable Path Forward

Thanh Hoa currently has 783 agricultural cooperatives, ranking third nationally, with over 600 operating effectively. Many models apply high technology and are linked to value chains. Specifically, during the 2023–2025 period, 22 cooperatives received support for infrastructure and product processing investments, totaling over 55 billion dong from the new rural development program.