From nothing to millionaire in border area

Life changed thanks to cassava cultivation.

In early September 2025, the Huong Hoa Cassava Starch Factory, part of SEPON GROUP, held a conference to honor outstanding cassava farmers and a ceremony to induct members into the "100 Million VND Club." From A Doi commune, Mr. Ho Van Phi (born in 1985) eagerly traveled to the factory to attend. Previously, he greatly admired and envied those who had accumulated wealth. For him and his wife, providing for their five children's education was already a huge challenge. Neither of them had ever dared to dream of one day earning over 100 million VND.

Things changed from the day Mr. and Mrs. Phi experimented with growing cassava. Seeing that the crop was suitable for the soil and climate, and that there was a factory buying their produce, they confidently expanded the model. Their hard work paid off with a bountiful harvest. In 2023, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Phi earned over 100 million VND from selling fresh cassava.

“Receiving a large sum of money from the factory, I felt like I was flying. My joy was multiplied when I joined the 100 million VND Club for outstanding cassava farmers,” Mr. Phi recounted.

Cassava has become the

Cassava has become the "key to escaping poverty" for many farming households in the Lìa area - Photo: QH

According to Ngo Minh De, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of A Doi commune, besides Mr. Phi's family, there are currently 23 other farming households in the commune that are also members of the 100 Million Club of Huong Hoa Cassava Starch Factory. They are shining examples for everyone to follow.

Mr. Để added that currently, the entire A Dơi commune has about 1,550 hectares of land planted with cassava, with 1,280 households directly involved in production. Annually, cassava growers in the commune supply the factory with approximately 27,540 tons of fresh cassava tubers. “Nowadays, people no longer produce haphazardly but have learned to apply science and technology. The spirit of mutual support and development among the people has also increased significantly,” Mr. Để happily reported.

Not only in A Dơi commune, but many farmers living along the Lìa route have also prospered thanks to cassava cultivation. Some have consistently been members of the "100 Million Club" for outstanding cassava growers, such as Mr. Hồ A Cơ (born in 1979), residing in Tân Lập commune. Recalling his hard times, Mr. Cơ said that there were moments when he felt helpless in his farming endeavors. Thanks to his connection with cassava cultivation, his family has achieved what it has today.

Currently, Mr. Co's family has 10 hectares of cassava plantations. Following in his father's footsteps, his two eldest sons have also started growing cassava, which has helped them build decent homes. "My wife and I started from humble beginnings, so we always worried that our children would have to struggle like we did in the past. That worry is gone now," Mr. Co confided.

Silent support

On the day of the conference honoring outstanding cassava farmers and the membership induction ceremony for the 100 Million VND Club, Mr. Ho Xuan Hieu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SEPON GROUP, traveled a long distance from the lowlands to attend. Meeting the millionaires in the border region, memories of his time traveling throughout the communes along the Lia border to encourage people to grow cassava flooded back to Mr. Hieu. At that time, life was very difficult for the people there. Many, despite working diligently, could not escape poverty. Therefore, some believed: "Wealth and poverty are predetermined; trying hard won't change anything." They became discouraged, neglected their fields, and succumbed to alcoholism.

To prevent such negative thoughts from taking root, Mr. Hieu and other dedicated individuals tirelessly went to each village to encourage people to experiment with cassava cultivation. Using his own reputation, he committed to supporting the people with science and technology and promised to buy back the produce. Not stopping there, Mr. Hieu also sought out reputable, hardworking individuals to act as "key figures" for cassava cultivation in the villages.

Living up to his expectations, many of them later rose from hardship to become the first members of the 100 Million Club. Word spread, and more and more households voluntarily planted cassava, gradually realizing: "Wealth and poverty are not matters of fate."

Outstanding cassava farmers with high incomes are honored and rewarded - Photo: Q.H

Outstanding cassava farmers with high incomes are honored and rewarded - Photo: QH

Visiting the villages along the Lìa border today, it's not difficult to find millionaires in the border region. Many of them share a common trait: they rose to prominence through cassava cultivation. At a recent conference organized by the Huong Hoa Cassava Starch Factory, 33 new members were honored to join the 100 Million VND Club, bringing the total number of members to 82. Not only have these members enriched themselves, but they have also been supporting many other households in changing their fortunes. One of the criteria for membership is supporting 10 households whose annual revenue from selling fresh cassava to the Huong Hoa Cassava Starch Factory exceeds 50 million VND.

To date, the 100 Million VND Club for outstanding cassava growers, born from the idea of SEPON GROUP Chairman Ho Xuan Hieu, has celebrated its 15th anniversary. The club's establishment is a memorable milestone, considered the starting point for a "revolution" in the thinking of the Van Kieu and Pa Ko people in the Lia region. No longer resigned to poverty, the local people are now bolder and more proactive in production with unwavering belief. On their journey towards progress, the people always remember the contributions of those who paved the way for them.

Quang Hiep

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/202510/tay-trang-thanh-trieu-phu-san-vung-bien-3e54eba/