Ensuring conservation for sustainable development

Amid the lush green landscape of Long Tan unit (formerly Long Tan state-run rubber farm in Long Ha commune), the preserved rubber plantation of Phu Rieng Rubber Company Limited (Phu Rieng Rubber Company), under the Vietnam Rubber Industry Group, stands out as a distinctive symbol - bridging a past marked by hardship, a present of growth, and a sustainable future for Vietnam’s rubber industry.

The entrance to the conserved rubber plantation. Photo: Ngoc Thao

Located on a 2-hectare site, the rubber plantation, planned and constructed in 2015, is not only a place to preserve valuable genetic resources but also a proud cultural and historical highlight for workers in the rubber industry.

A symbol of the rubber industry culture

The first impression upon arriving at the conserved rubber plantation is its impressive entrance and well-designed system of structures, built in a harmonious, green, and clean style. Every detail within the grounds has been carefully maintained, reflecting Phu Rieng Rubber Company’s commitment to preserving and honoring traditional values. The spacious and airy setting features walkways for visitors, along with architectural elements that showcase the distinctive marks of the rubber industry, creating an overall atmosphere that is both dignified and welcoming.

Recently, the plantation has become a destination for learning about the history of the rubber industry’s development, as well as a venue for extracurricular activities and traditional educational programs for the local younger generation.

A stone stele within the grounds clearly records information about the conserved rubber plantation

Few people know that this conserved rubber plantation is among the earliest areas planted by the Phu Rieng Rubber Company in 1981, when the company was just established and facing immense difficulties.

At that time, the production area was vast, unexploded bombs and landmines and chemical toxins left over from the war remained; living conditions were severely lacking; malignant malaria was rampant; and material facilities and equipment were virtually nonexistent. Yet, rising above these challenges through solidarity and creative labor, the company’s first rubber workers steadfastly “held on to the land,” planting trees, expanding cultivation areas, and gradually stabilizing production. The GT1 rubber plantation was established under such harsh conditions and therefore carries profound significance, standing as a testament to the determination and resilience of Phu Rieng Rubber Company.

According to the documentation displayed at the farm, the GT1 rubber variety is a clonal line that was widely planted worldwide from the 1960s to the 1980s and was introduced for large-scale cultivation in Vietnam in 1981. It was also the variety selected by Phu Rieng Rubber Company during its early days of establishment.

GT1 was selected for its many benefits, including consistent yields of 1.0–1.4 tonnes per hectare per year in the Southeast region and 1.1–1.2 tonnes per hectare per year in the Central Highlands; strong resistance to diseases such as tapping panel dryness, pink disease, and rainy-season leaf fall; good response to latex stimulants; tolerance for high tapping intensity; low incidence of latex dryness; wind resistance; and reduced susceptibility to breakage.

Thanks to these exceptional characteristics, the GT1 variety played a key role in establishing a stable production base, allowing Phu Rieng Rubber Company to achieve steady, sustainable growth gradually in its early years of establishment.

A “witness” to 47 years of formation and development

The conserved rubber plantation holds not only scientific and production value but also profound historical significance. It constitutes an essential part of the 47-year journey of construction and development of Phu Rieng Rubber Company since its establishment on September 6, 1978. The garden also marks the implementation of the agreement between the Governments of Vietnam and the Soviet Union on “Cooperation in the production and processing of natural rubber on a scale of 50,000 hectares during the 1980–1984 period.”

Nguyen Mau Huy, Deputy Head of Long Tan Unit, introduces the conserved rubber plantation to a reporter. Photo: Ngoc Thao

Throughout its journey, the company has experienced periods of both ups and downs, facing challenges that often seemed insurmountable. Yet, thanks to the spirit of solidarity, innovation, and creativity among successive generations of leaders, staff, and workers, Phu Rieng Rubber Company has continued to grow steadily. Notably, since the onset of the Renewal Era, the company has maintained consistent growth, becoming one of the leading units within the Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG).

Beyond contributing to the socio-economic development of the local area, Phu Rieng Rubber Company has also played a key role in maintaining security and order in the rural communities where it operates, helping to build a civilized and modern Dong Nai Province. Between 2020 and 2025, the company’s total revenue increased by 1.13% year over year. Pre-tax profits rose by nearly 15%, post-tax profits increased by more than 43.8%, and average labor productivity reached 9.1 tons per person per year. Average income per employee also rose to 138.8 million VND per year, up 13.37%.

The conserved rubber plantation is not only a beautifully green space but, more importantly, it is also a repository of professional memory, silent sacrifices, and the resilient spirit of generations of workers at Phu Rieng Rubber Company. It serves as a foundation for the company to continue strong development, making positive contributions to Vietnam’s rubber industry and to the prosperity of its homeland, Dong Nai.

Nguyen Mau Huy, Deputy Head of Long Tan Unit, Phu Rieng Rubber Company Limited

The establishment and maintenance of the preserved rubber plantation demonstrate Phu Rieng Rubber Company’s dedication to sustainable development. In addition to protecting the valuable GT1 rubber clone, which has been closely linked to the company since its difficult early days, the plantation functions as a site to honor tradition, educate younger generations, and foster professional pride.

Le Ngoc Hung, Technical Management Assistant at Long Tan Unit, emphasized: “This conserved rubber plantation holds great significance for the workers of Phu Rieng Rubber Company. It is not only a plantation but also a repository of professional memories, a place to meet and rest after long hours of labor. Importantly, it provides a space for organizing events that foster interaction and solidarity among employees.”

Hung added, “The farm is as old as I am, 47 years, and I am proud that my family spans two generations in the rubber industry. This place reminds workers like my parents of the early days of pioneering rubber cultivation, a time filled with hardships and challenges.”

Nguyen Mau Huy, Deputy Head of Long Tan Unit, shared additional insights: “Our unit consists of six production teams, including one specialized in seedling cultivation. Currently, the unit manages nearly 1,700 hectares of rubber trees. In 2025, the average yield from the conserved garden is expected to reach 2.3 tons per hectare, with total latex output estimated at 2,423 tons—about 100 tons above the company’s target. Thanks to these impressive production results, salaries and bonuses will see a significant increase, with the average monthly income per employee projected to exceed 14 million VND.

Located directly in front of our headquarters, the preserved rubber plantation is always well-protected. It functions as a ‘red address’ for the conservation of genetic resources and as an essential site for traditional education for both the local community and the rubber industry,” Huy emphasized.

By Thanh Thao – Translated by Hong Van, Thu Ha