Unlocking local values

In recent years, along with the orientation of educational reform linked to practical application, the Binh Duong University Branch in Ca Mau (the Branch) has continuously promoted scientific research, innovation, and entrepreneurship among students. Not only focusing on professional training, the school also emphasizes building a dynamic learning environment, fostering creativity and entrepreneurial aspirations based on the local potential of the homeland. From this orientation, many projects with high practical value have emerged, most notably the "TRÀM'S AROMA - Clean Incense from Ca Mau" project.

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• Results of the 4th Mekong Delta Region Student and Youth Entrepreneurship Idea Competition, 2026
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The idea for TRÀM'S AROMA originated from field trips undertaken by students of the Entrepreneurship Club under the Student Union of the branch campus. During their journey to learn about traditional craft villages, specifically the Bình Đức incense-making village, which dates back to 1940 (Bình Đức ward, An Giang province), the members had the opportunity to observe the handcrafted incense-making process and deeply appreciate the long-standing cultural value of traditional Vietnamese incense making.

From that trip, the group began to question the potential of exploiting the local resources of Ca Mau . While many localities have developed distinctive products linked to their own strengths, the U Minh Ha region, famous for its unique melaleuca forest ecosystem, could absolutely create products that bear the distinct mark of the homeland.

Student Le Huynh Ai (far left), a member of the TRÀM'S AROMA Project, introduces startup products to visitors at INNOBE 2026.

Ms. Nguyen Dong Kieu, Vice President of the Student Union of the branch campus and also the project's supervising lecturer, said: "The group did not choose common business models on the market but decided to develop clean incense from native melaleuca trees. This is a tree species closely associated with the lives of people in Ca Mau, but its economic value has not been exploited to its full potential, mostly remaining as raw material with an unstable market. Based on this reality, the group hopes to create a new direction through deeply processed products, while also meeting the trend of green, safe, and environmentally friendly consumption."

Using familiar eucalyptus wood as a raw material, the research team developed a line of clean incense sticks with natural fragrances, minimizing harmful chemicals, and contributing to the spread of green and sustainable consumption trends.

With its innovative idea and high practical value, the "TRÀM'S AROMA - Authentic Ca Mau Incense" project has excellently won the "Most Popular Startup Idea" award at the INNOBE 2026 Mekong Delta Student Startup Idea Competition.

Not only TRÀM'S AROMA, but over the years, many projects related to the native melaleuca resources of students from the branch campus have also achieved outstanding results in startup and scientific research competitions. Notable examples include: First Prize in the “BDUCM Creative Startup Ideas Competition 2025” with the project “Pixel Art from Recycled Melaleuca Wood Pellets”; the Potential Project Award at the “Ca Mau Province Startup Competition 2024 - CamaUP'24”; Top 20 in the “Ca Mau Province Startup Competition 2025 - CamaUP'25” with the project “Melaleuca Fragrance - Clean Incense from Green Indigenous Plants”; and the Sustainable Project Award at the “Business Challenge 2025 Mekong Tech” competition organized by the Can Tho City Youth Union with the project “TRÀM'S ECO-CIRCLE”. Simultaneously, research topics related to Melaleuca resources by the university's students have consistently made their mark at the Eureka National Student Scientific Research Award in 2024 and 2025.

The achievements not only affirm the creative and dynamic spirit of students from the Binh Duong University branch in Ca Mau, but also demonstrate the great potential of startup models linked to local resources. From ideas stemming from real-life situations, students are gradually contributing to enhancing the value of the Melaleuca trees in their homeland, spreading the message of sustainable development and preserving the unique ecosystem of the U Minh Ha region. It can be seen that TRÀM'S AROMA is not just a student startup project, but also a journey to unlock local values ​​through the knowledge, creativity, and dedication of today's youth.

Minh Sang - TEAM TRÀM'S AROMA

Source: https://baocamau.vn/khoi-nguon-gia-tri-ban-dia-a128657.html