Studying 3 majors at university, still starting a business from a garlic peel

Having studied abroad in Australia, graduated with a degree in smart urban architecture and business administration from Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics, Dinh Van Nam still decided to "change direction" in 2023. He registered to study a third major at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade.

The first products

Nam said he comes from a business family, so he had the "blood" to start a business early. At the age of 20, while studying a dual major at the University of Economics in Ho Chi Minh City, Nam decided to "go big" by enrolling in a third major.

For Nam, switching to study financial technology was not an impromptu decision but a strategic calculation. Because Nam realized that Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade is an "incubator" with a strong startup movement, creating favorable conditions for him to realize his cherished business ideas.

Dinh Van Nam always studies and researches diligently.

Nam’s family owns an agricultural processing workshop, specializing in processing garlic for large factories in Ho Chi Minh City. Every day, the workshop produces about 1 ton of garlic peels, but they cannot be buried like other types of biological waste, because they contain natural antibiotics.

Every month, Nam’s family spends 30 million VND to process this waste. That has made him worry a lot, how to make use of this amount of garlic peels without affecting the environment and creating economic value.

In 2023, the project of biomass pellets made from garlic peels called NIION was started by Nam (team leader) and his friends from Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology - Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics, VinUni University and Conestoga College (Canada). Not long after, the first pellets were born.

Unique, impressive

At the end of 2024, when dengue fever broke out in some localities, Nam immediately remembered the allicin compound in garlic peels. Allicin has the ability to repel mosquitoes without harming health. From here, the uses of garlic peel tablets created by his group have been increasingly expanded.

After careful research, Nam realized that the structure of garlic peels is similar to paper but rougher, contains many medicinal properties, and when burned does not emit much CO2. If garlic peels are compressed into charcoal, it will solve many problems - from fuel to energy sources, while reducing environmental pollution.

His and his partner's startup project was just awarded third prize at the "Students with Startup Ideas" contest in April 2025.

"Garlic peel is a potential pharmaceutical product. Tablets made from garlic peel are safe and beneficial to consumers' health, superior to traditional charcoal. When burned, charcoal from garlic peel has the ability to fumigate rooms, steam, and naturally enhance resistance and the immune system," Nam commented.

The problem of human resources, balancing between studying and starting a business also posed many challenges for the young student. However, Nam has built a diverse team of collaborators, stretching from North to South and students studying abroad also participated in this project.

Pham Mai Trang, a third-year student majoring in foreign economics at the Foreign Trade University (Hanoi), said she is in charge of building the brand and implementing marketing activities for the NIION compressed coal project. Although she has to work remotely, she still feels very comfortable and ensures productivity.

"My team and I have built an effective online workflow. Based on the real images and videos provided by the team in Ho Chi Minh City, I introduced and connected the product with young people in Hanoi" - Trang excitedly said.

Trang used her knowledge of economics and import-export to bring NIION tablets to e-commerce platforms and build a brand story. She believes that learning by doing will bring valuable experience for the future.

With 100% organic biological ingredients, NIION compressed charcoal products are safe for health and non-toxic. This product also has potential applications in culinary, adding a special flavor to grilled dishes. The ash after use can be recycled into organic fertilizer for plants. In addition, the group also cherishes the product will be present in the defense sector, helping soldiers to warm up, cook and repel insects in field conditions.

"Each 12.5g tablet burns for 10 - 15 minutes. Compared to charcoal or coal of the same mass, the burning time of garlic shell tablets is longer and reduces CO2 emissions by up to 80%" - group leader Dinh Van Nam compared.

Associate Professor, Dr. Mai Huynh Cang, Head of the Department of Natural Compounds - Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry, commented that although there have been products developed from agricultural by-products in the world, the NIION compressed coal product still stands out with its unique and impressive idea.

Associate Professor, Dr. Mai Huynh Cang commented: "This product not only helps solve the problem of by-products and waste in agriculture but also promises to bring practical economic value to farmers."

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Mai Huynh Cang, the selection of raw materials for the production of tablets requires ensuring important factors such as heat and cellulose content. In addition, a comprehensive evaluation of the product needs to consider the calorific value, the composition of gas generated during use, especially the economic efficiency it brings.

The experience of studying and living in many different cultures has equipped Nam with the ability to adapt and work effectively in diverse environments. He and his group of young people are gradually realizing their dream of starting a business, bringing garlic charcoal further.

The NIION garlic peel pellet project researched and manufactured by Dinh Van Nam's group won third prize in the 7th "Students with Startup Ideas" contest in 2025, recently organized by the Ministry of Education and Training.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/hoc-3-nganh-dai-hoc-van-khoi-nghiep-tu-vo-toi-19625051121190644.htm