Leaving the city behind: Young couple turns barren land into a thriving business, earning hundreds of millions per month

Amidst the green mountains and blue waters of the Northwest, there is a small but vibrant farm nestled on the rocky hillsides, where canola flowers bloom next to fish ponds, where clean vegetable beds are cherished every day like treasures. That is the "revival land" of the young couple Ha Van Sang (born in 1997) and Quang Thi Vy (born in 2001), Muong people in Muong Lang commune, Phu Yen district, Son La province. They are the ones who dared to give up stable jobs in the city to return to farming, starting a business right from their homeland.

Couple Vy - Sang left the city to return to the countryside to start a business together.

Leaving the city to return to the countryside with nothing

Once workers in Hung Yen with a salary of only 6-7 million VND per month, the life of the young couple Ha Van Sang - Quang Thi Vy at that time was nothing more than the grind of going to work to earn money and just enough to cover living expenses, not much extra. “We only worked enough to eat, we couldn’t save much. We both felt that living like that would have no future,” Vy recalled.

Life was too stressful, seeing how many people had worked for decades but still couldn’t settle down, couldn’t buy a house in Hanoi, Sang and Vy discussed plans to return to the countryside. In early 2020, they officially left the city to return to the countryside even though no one in the family supported them. “Both parents were very opposed. In the countryside, we only depend on corn and cassava all year round, harvested once a year. We didn’t have a monthly income like working in a company, so everyone said we would have to go back to the city,” Vy said.

At first, Sang was often scolded by his father for "quitting his job and not being enthusiastic about his work". But the precious thing is that Ha Van Sang did not give up. Unable to find a job outside, the young man born in 1997 had to return home to focus on farming, going into the forest to find herbs and fruits to sell to earn a little money to get by. When the time came for the birth of their daughter, Vy and her husband had to use the money their sister-in-law lent them, but that amount was only enough to buy baby supplies. Ms. Vy recalls: "At that time, we still had to rely on the help of my parents-in-law. They had to sell rice to get money to send me to give birth."

Although life was difficult at first, Ha Van Sang never gave up hope.

Quang Thi Vy also works hard.

The couple worked together, encouraged each other to try.

They believe that with their youth and efforts, they would one day find a direction for themselves.

The vegetable garden that the couple take care of.

They raise chickens and ducks for eggs.

No matter what they do, the couple always stands by each other.

Life is difficult but still full of joy.

From farming, raising pigs and chickens to making YouTube

When they first returned to their hometown, Sang and Vy raised small animals, and worked on corn and cassava fields to help their parents reduce the pressure. Despite the hardship, Sang and Vy were never discouraged, the couple still encouraged each other: "We are young, have strength, have land, why not try". They raised 2 sows, taking care of every meal, every tarp. A year later, the herd gave birth to 24 pigs. But right at that time, the Covid-19 epidemic hit. The whole village was quarantined, the pigs could not be sold, so they had to accept selling the whole herd at a loss.

“After that, we switched to raising chickens, digging ponds to raise fish. And it was at that time that my husband came up with the idea of ​​filming our daily life and sharing it on social media. At first, we only filmed with an old camera and edited it with a phone,” Vy said.

At first, Vy's parents were worried and strongly opposed because they were afraid that their child would be scammed online. But gradually, seeing the real footage, the number of viewers increased, Vy's father not only stopped objecting but also... became a "content production consultant" for his daughter.

From the first videos, Vy and her husband gradually created a stable income from digital content. They invested in expanding the model in the direction of "farmstay" - an experiential farm associated with clean agriculture.

"We sell agricultural products to neighboring communes, but our main income currently comes from YouTube. Each month, it can reach between 80 and 100 million VND."

"Vy and Sang’s farm currently has two fish ponds with over 5,000 fish, areas for raising chickens, ducks, and goats, as well as seasonal vegetables like watermelon and cucumbers."

Vy and Sang now have boldly invested in the farmstay model.

The experimental farm associated with clean agriculture is attracting many visitors.

Currently, their farm has 2 fish ponds with more than 5,000 fish, a chicken, duck, goat farm, and seasonal vegetables such as watermelon, cucumber, etc. All of which are taken care of by the couple themselves. “We sell agricultural products to neighboring communes, and our main income currently still comes from YouTube. Each month, we can earn from 80 to 100 million VND,” Vy honestly shared.

Not only are they good at economics, the young couple also actively participate in community activities. Ha Van Sang won First Prize in the contest “Ideas and start-up projects for ethnic minority youth in 2023” of the Son La Provincial Youth Union, and was commended by the Commune People's Committee as an “Outstanding Youth”. Vy helps many young people set up channels, create content to share about gardening, and build an agricultural economic model in her hometown: "What I am most proud of is not only the income but also the potential of my hometown. As long as young people believe and dare to start, any land will bloom."

Now, Vy and Sang's small family has bought a car, has a beautiful roof to welcome visitors, and has a green space like a fairy garden. When asked what message she wants to send to young people who are wondering whether to leave their hometown or start a business in their hometown, Vy just smiled: "If you have a dream, use your youth, creativity, diligence, and perseverance... I believe you can do it. Like my husband and I did."