Transforming barren land into a lotus pond, earning millions of dong every day.

In the countryside of Quang Thai (now Hamlet 10, Quang Binh Commune, Thanh Hoa Province), the vibrant lotus ponds, emitting a fragrant aroma, are becoming a favorite destination for tourists every summer. Few know that the person behind this beauty is Ms. Huyen Chi - a hardworking, ambitious, and determined woman.

Besides her administrative work at the commune's People's Committee, Ms. Huyen Chi and her husband dedicate all their free time to reclaiming abandoned rice fields that had been left fallow for many years. Recognizing that the soil was still fertile and the mud deep – ideal for lotus growth – she decided to invest in lotus cultivation instead of leaving the land fallow. Reclaiming abandoned fields is not easy, but she doesn't shy away from the difficulties, working tirelessly day after day, plowing, tilling, and building embankments to prepare for the lotus blooming seasons.

Her hard work paid off. A few years later, the lotus fields she had planted bloomed profusely, displaying vibrant pink blossoms and spreading their fragrance throughout the region. Her lotuses were a variety with many petals, large flowers, and a long-lasting scent, sought after by locals and people from neighboring districts. During peak season, selling lotuses brought her family about one million dong per day.

Not content with just growing and selling lotus, Ms. Huyen Chi also showed creativity by investing in building bamboo bridges and rest shelters to welcome tourists who come to visit and take photos. These simple bridges spanning the lotus pond have become ideal check-in spots, attracting many tourists who combine swimming at Quang Thai beach with experiencing rural life.

Through her lotus pond model, she also created seasonal jobs for many local laborers. Many people in the commune have also followed her model to improve their fields and develop their family's economy .

"Seeing people abandon their fields for so long, I felt so sorry. I always thought, 'The land is still good, why don't we do something to make use of it?'" Ms. Huyen Chi recounted. It was this boldness and fearless spirit that transformed what seemed like abandoned land into a stable source of livelihood and a unique tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over.

Ms. Huyen Chi is a prime example of a capable, creative, and proactive woman. From abandoned farmland, she has created a beautiful and profitable lotus pond, while also contributing to preserving the beauty of the countryside and connecting agriculture with community tourism.

* Some images of the lotus pond created by Ms. Huyen Chi:

Tourists check in at the lotus pond.

Many women came to learn from the experience and take souvenir photos.

Children in the village come to play by the lotus pond during the summer days.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/nguoi-bien-dat-hoang-thanh-dam-sen-thu-tien-trieu-moi-ngay-20250724172140057.htm