In 2012, Nguyễn Thị Quỳnh Viên, a chemistry master’s degree holder and former lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture, embarked on an ambitious journey to convert a 5,000 m² plot of hard clay soil in Tân Sơn, Tân Bình District, into a productive organic farm. Leveraging her scientific background, she spent three years researching beneficial microorganisms to detoxify water, balance soil pH, and combat pests. By integrating microbiology with organic matter, she gradually transformed the infertile land into a fertile environment suitable for organic agriculture.
Establishing Happy Vegi: A Model of Organic Excellence
In 2015, Viên founded Hương Đất Company, introducing the Happy Vegi brand, which adheres to a stringent “6 No” policy:
- No chemical pesticides or herbicides
- No polluted soil or water
- No growth stimulants
- No synthetic fertilizers
- No genetically modified organisms
- No preservatives
The farm employs natural pest control methods, such as using spicy herbal sprays and fostering beneficial insects like ladybugs and praying mantises. Organic fertilizers are produced on-site from agricultural by-products, including rice straw, coffee husks, and sugarcane bagasse.
Achieving Certification and Market Expansion
Happy Vegi’s commitment to organic practices earned it the Vietnamese Organic Standard Certification (TCVN 11041-1:2017). To ensure transparency and traceability, each product is labeled with a QR code, providing consumers with detailed information about the cultivation process. This approach has fostered consumer trust and facilitated the brand’s entry into major supermarket chains in Ho Chi Minh City.
Embracing Digital Transformation for Sustainable Growth
Recognizing the need for efficient management, Viên invested in developing a digital farm management system, supported by over $40,000 in funding from the Australian Government’s GREAT program. This system encompasses 16,750 variables across 30 vegetable varieties, enabling precise tracking of planting schedules, soil conditions, and pest control measures. Such digitalization has streamlined operations and enhanced scalability.
Expanding Reach and Ensuring Freshness
Happy Vegi has extended its cultivation to regions like Kon Tum, Đắk Nông, and Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu, supplying over 70 retail outlets in Ho Chi Minh City. To maintain product freshness, the company employs a 24-hour logistics system, ensuring that produce reaches consumers within a day of harvest.
Nguyễn Thị Quỳnh Viên’s journey from a chemistry lecturer to an organic farming pioneer exemplifies the transformative power of scientific application in agriculture. Her innovative integration of microbiology and digital technology has not only revitalized infertile land but also set a benchmark for sustainable farming practices in Vietnam.
