Dong Nai farmers bring Vietnamese honey to global market

From the movement “Farmers emulate in good production and business, supporting each other to achieve prosperity and sustainable poverty reduction,” Le Loc Quan (Dau Giay commune, Dong Nai province) built Quan Phat Honey Facility, forming stable linkages with more than 120 beekeeping households in and outside the province, with a total value chain revenue of VND 25 billion per year.

Not only has farmer Le Loc Quan transformed his mindset in business development, but he has also brought Vietnamese honey products to international markets, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States, and Europe. In 2025, he was recognized as one of the Outstanding Vietnamese Farmers.

Le Loc Quan, owner of Quan Phat Honey Facility, receives the “Outstanding Vietnamese Farmer 2025” certificate at the honoring ceremony presented by central-level leaders. Photo courtesy of the subject

Growing from a movement, expanding through linkages

More than 25 years ago, taking advantage of the abundant Spanish needle flower fields and fruit-growing areas, Le Loc Quan chose a distinct path: beekeeping for honey. Through learning and accumulating experience, he proactively connected with beekeeping households, standardized techniques to ensure a stable honey supply, and aimed toward export markets.

In 2015, the Quan Phat Honey Facility was established, featuring a processing workshop of over 1,000 square meters and a 2,000-square-meter apiary. The facility provides stable jobs for local workers, while its network of more than 120 linked households has expanded across beekeeping regions.

“Beekeeping is not difficult, but it must be done methodically, quality bee breeds, proper hive placement according to flowering seasons, pest management, and hygienic harvesting to ensure consistent honey quality,” Quan shared.

To bring products to the market, Quan Phat Honey Facility supports many households in securing stable incomes. Nguyen Dinh Cu from Dau Giay commune said his family has received technical support and feed costs to produce comb honey, while the facility guarantees output, generating a stable monthly income of VND 30–40 million. “We feel secure because we learn modern, scientific beekeeping techniques and have stable markets. That motivates us to stay committed and build our brand,” he said.

Beyond honey extraction, Quan has invested in research to diversify honey-based products, while also developing branding, standardizing packaging, and expanding distribution channels. On the technical side, the facility focuses on timely natural hive merging, adjusting frames according to flowering seasons, harvesting at optimal ripeness, and maintaining strict equipment hygiene. Sharing his experience, Quan noted that following proper procedures from hive to workshop ensures high-quality honey and preserves its distinctive flavor over time.

Expanding export markets

Each year, Quan Phat Honey Facility produces an estimated 35,000 boxes of comb honey and 1,000 tons of honey, supplying both the domestic market and exports to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States, and Europe.

According to Nguyen Xuan Thoi, Chairman of the Farmers’ Association of Dau Giay commune, Quan’s export-oriented beekeeping linkage model shows that the market remains vast, as long as quality standards and traceability are maintained.

The emulation movement launched by the Vietnam Farmers’ Union has taken root in Dong Nai through activities such as communication programs, technical transfer, financial and material support, promotion of collective economics, and the development of advanced new rural areas. Many households have progressed from subsistence to prosperity, gradually mastering production and consumption chains. Farmer Le Loc Quan stands as a typical example, spreading the spirit of mindset transformation, effective linkage, and standardized processes to enter larger markets.

Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Farmers’ Association Nguyen Van Giang.

 

The beekeeping linkage chain not only provides sustainable livelihoods for farmers but also helps preserve pollinator populations, contributing to improved productivity and quality of fruit crops. It reflects the dual goal of benefiting both agriculture and the environment. Evolving from a farmers’ movement to an export-oriented chain, the story of Le Loc Quan exemplifies a new generation of farmers who embrace innovation and build wealth through specialized knowledge and technology.

Alongside efforts to advance techniques and market reach, Quan expressed his hope that authorities would strengthen controls over agricultural production residues to ensure clean and stable raw materials for the honey industry, primarily as it targets high-end markets. This challenge is also a key requirement for maintaining consumer trust in Vietnamese honey both domestically and internationally.

By Ki Nguyen, Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho