A dream with "tươi seeds"

Driven by the aspiration to spread the scent of the Urai tree further through the forests, Ms. Hoang Thi Thuy Nga (37 years old, from Lanh Ngoc commune) created a refreshing Urai tea powder product, committing that each packet of Urai tea sold represents the planting of an Urai tree. The Urai tea conveys a message about ecological balance and the conservation and development of the Urai tree, thereby restoring and developing forests and creating sustainable livelihoods for people in mountainous areas.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thuy Nga's Upay project has been recognized as an outstanding project in the FINC+ 2025 Interactive Incubation Program. Photo: HV

Ms. Nga shared that she was born and raised in the mountainous region of Tien Phuoc district (formerly). In her childhood memories, she vividly recalls the days spent roaming around with her mother, gathering wild berries to nurture her dream of literacy.

The seeds of the Sterculia foetida tree are considered a long-standing medicinal herb with many health benefits such as cooling the body, treating internal heat, boils, hives, nosebleeds, etc., and were likened by our ancestors to "bird's nest of the forest." Therefore, Ms. Nga wondered why there wasn't a way to process Sterculia foetida seeds into something that everyone could use and add value to them.

After graduating from university with a degree in tourism in 2022, she decided to leave the city and return to her hometown to establish the Nhan Tam Trade and Service Cooperative. The cooperative acts as an extension to produce and purchase natural products such as pomelo flower tea, pomelo jam, cinnamon-flavored rice paper, etc., ensuring a market for farmers' produce.

In early 2025, she launched the Upay project, a refreshing powdered tea made from the Uoi tree, with a green commitment: each packet of Uoi tea sold represents the planting of a Uoi tree. Upay is not only a refreshing drink but also conveys a message about ecological balance and responsibility towards the forest.

“I hope that the Upay project will not only provide consumers with a safe and healthy beverage but also convey a larger message about the value of the uoi tree and ensure a livelihood for the people. In the future, I will experiment to diversify products made from uoi seeds,” Ms. Nga said.

To produce a ready-to-drink pack of Sterculia foetida tea, meticulous processing steps are required. For example, after harvesting, the Sterculia foetida seeds must be sorted, separating the shells and seeds, leaving only the pulp. Through a cold-drying process, the seeds must remain pure, then crushed and mixed with other ingredients.

According to Ms. Nga, she and her colleagues are determined not only to produce products for sale but also to commit to a green approach. Therefore, the uoi tea powder product was created with the message that each box of uoi sold represents a newly planted uoi tree.

The cooperative implements the project in two phases: phase 1 focuses on bringing the product to market to increase revenue and market awareness; phase 2, 15-20% of the revenue will be allocated to investors, businesses, and forestry units in the area to jointly plant 1,000 Urai trees to reforest the area. Through this, the Upay project contributes to the conservation and development of Urai trees, thereby restoring and developing forests and creating sustainable livelihoods for people in mountainous areas.

In 2025, the "flying tea powder" product won second prize in the Quang Nam (formerly) province's Creative Startup Competition. In October 2025, the project was recognized as an outstanding project at the FINC+ 2025 Interactive Incubation Program organized by the Da Nang Business Incubator and the city's Department of Science and Technology. In 2026, the cooperative will continue to refine the product and register for the OCOP program.

“Currently, the Upay project is still in the process of increasing awareness to boost profits. This year, we continue to develop the market to secure a stable revenue stream. From there, the project to plant trees to reforest the area will be implemented. Although there are still challenges ahead, I will strive tirelessly to bring the best and safest products made from uoi seeds to our customers,” Ms. Nga affirmed.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/giac-mo-voi-hat-uoi-3328219.html