When the farming area and output of lemongrass in some wards and communes of Hoa Binh city exceeded the market demand in 2015, many local households had to harvest and burn the excess. With sharp thinking and a thirst for knowledge, Nguyen Thi Binh in Thong Nhat ward found a solution, creating an outlet for lemongrass. The Dao Hamlet Agriculture Cooperative was established, paving the way to poverty alleviation for local farmers.
Nguyen Thi Binh, Director of the Dao Hamlet Agriculture Cooperative in Thong Nhat ward, talks about its efforts and achievements.
When it was newly established, the cooperative had 20 members, with Nguyen Thi Binh serving as its director. In the early days, they faced an array of difficulties due to a lack of experience, capital, and physical facilities, hence resulting cautious operations.
"In 2019, I participated in the startup and innovation contest 'Women and the Future of the Green Economy' with the idea of cultivating and processing lemongrass essential oil in a value chain to provide safe and environmentally friendly products. After winning the prize and attending the national startup day, my idea received financial support worth 150 million VND (6,186 USD) from the provincial Women's Union,” Binh shared.
Utilising the fund, cooperative members’ contributions, and bank loans, the cooperative invested in a modern lemongrass essential oil distillation line costing about 500 million VND as well as in labels and packaging.
In 2021, its lemongrass essential oil product was recognised as meeting 3-star standards under the provincial One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme. "Being recognised with the OCOP product helps elevate the value and branding of our product,” said Binh.
Currently, the cooperative has 86 members, of whom 90% are from the Dao ethnic minority group, each earning an average monthly income of 5-6 million VND. Members with poor and near-poor backgrounds have now improved their economic situation, leading more stable lives.
Trieu Thi Hoa, a cooperative member, said: "My family was poor with financial difficulties. Since joining the cooperative, we have been provided with opportunities to borrow investment capital and received support for production expenses regarding fertilisers and seedlings, and technical guidance. The outlets for the plants are also guaranteed by the cooperative. Since joining the cooperative, my family has acquired many amenities such as a television, motorbike, and small savings, gradually escaping poverty.”
According to Bui The Dung, Chairman of the Thong Nhat Ward People's Committee, the ward now houses nearly 150ha of lemongrass cultivation. The cooperative’s processing facility has helped ethnic minority people in the area get rid of poverty, earn stable jobs, increase income, and contribute to the local economy.
In late March, 29 labourers from Da Bac district were sent to work as seasonal farm workers in Buyeo county, Chungcheongnam province, the Republic of Korea (RoK). Upon arrival, they quickly settled into their jobs, enjoying good working conditions and benefits, with wages aligned with the terms of their signed contracts. The programme is now being expanded, with relevant departments and sectors actively seeking additional seasonal employment opportunities in various localities across the RoK.
Luong Son Industrial Park has invested in standardised wastewater and emissions treatment systems, enforced tight emission controls, reduced noise, dust, and solid waste, and expanded green spaces, contributing to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development.
Hoa Binh police are collecting public feedback on amendments to the 2013 Constitution via the national identification app VNeID. This innovative approach marks a giant leap towards modernising grassroots democracy and enhancing transparency in public consultation.
A total public investment capital of 113 billion VND (over 4.3 million USD) was disbursed for a project to upgrade infrastructure and stabilise residents in the vicinity of the Da River reservoir between 2021 and the first quarter of 2025, giving a facelift to local rural areas and improving the quality of people's life.
Since the end of 2023-2024 academic year, Cu Yen Primary and Secondary School in Luong Son district has deployed e-study records for all of its 500 primary students, said the school principal Nguyen Thi Tuyen.
The Labour Federation of Hoa Binh city has actively worked to protect the rights and welfare of nearly 8,000 local workers and union members at 152 grassroots unions. Through regular dialogues, education campaigns, and welfare programmes, the federation has helped foster stable, progressive labour relations.
