From rustic chopsticks to national brand

Not high-tech or strange products, Le Thanh Trien chose to start his entrepreneurial journey with... wooden chopsticks. Simple, durable and full of the soul of the countryside, his Quang Thuy wooden chopsticks have just achieved the national 5-star OCOP certification. It is the "sweet fruit" of a persistent journey, tirelessly preserving traditional values ​​along the Gianh River.

Quang Thuy wooden chopsticks set is a national 5-star OCOP product.

Start a business from small beginnings.

Born into a poor family in Quang Thuy commune, Ba Don town (now Nam Ba Don commune), Le Thanh Trien experienced the hardships of making a living early. After graduating from university, he did not choose a stable path in the city but instead threw himself into making a living by doing many jobs: construction worker, motorbike taxi driver, porter... Every penny earned was imbued with the will to escape poverty, forging the extraordinary willpower of the young man.

2012 was considered a major turning point in Triển's life when he set foot in Fukui Prefecture (Japan), a region famous for its chopstick making. Six months in the Land of the Rising Sun was an enlightening journey that completely transformed his life. Triển constantly observed, learned, and memorized every detail. He was deeply impressed by the meticulousness and sophistication in the Japanese handcrafted chopstick-making process. This instilled in him a bold idea: to create Vietnamese chopsticks of similar scale but still retaining the authentic Vietnamese spirit.

Returning to Vietnam without any blueprints, Triển only had the "drawings" imprinted in his mind. He began realizing his dream by seeking out an old mechanic in Ho Chi Minh City. Uncle Sáu, a seasoned craftsman, became his first partner in the trade. Two generations toiled together, working with iron, steel, and gears. Despite facing numerous setbacks, through perseverance and unwavering belief, in 2013, the first chopstick-making machine, built by Triển and Uncle Sáu themselves, was born.

In 2017, Le Thanh Trien decided to return to his hometown. His parents' small house by the Gianh River became the starting point for his journey to realize his dream of making Vietnamese chopsticks, a simple yet bold dream of this poor young man. With no capital, he boldly borrowed over 800 million VND to start his business.

In June 2018, the Quang Thuy Wooden Chopstick Production and Trading Cooperative was officially established. In the early days, finding a market for their products was almost the most challenging problem. But thanks to superior product quality, meticulous production processes, and tireless perseverance, after only two years, Quang Thuy chopsticks gradually gained a foothold in the market, with orders steadily increasing.

Currently, the cooperative proudly owns 28 modern chopstick-making machines, operating continuously to meet market demand both within and outside the province. Furthermore, Le Thanh Trien has proactively transferred 10 chopstick-making machines to other localities, contributing to the spread of the chopstick-making craft, creating livelihoods for many households, and gradually restoring and developing a traditional craft deeply rooted in the soul of the countryside.

Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, affirmed: "The province will maintain the geographical indications and collective trademarks, and pay special attention to protecting brands that have been built by the people with dedication, such as Quang Thuy chopsticks. This is a cultural identity and asset that needs to be nurtured and widely disseminated."

Wooden chopsticks embody the spirit of Vietnam.

The cooperative always cherishes traditional craftsmanship, using familiar local materials such as jackfruit wood, longan wood, and rubber wood. Each piece of wood is carefully selected and dried according to the correct process to ensure optimal durability. The handcrafted chopstick-making process requires the skill and extensive experience of the craftsman, because that is when the craftsman "breathes life" into each product.

The highlight that gives Quang Thuy chopsticks their "soul" is the natural lacquer coating. Mr. Trien has meticulously restored the traditional lacquer technique, applying it subtly to each pair of chopsticks. The multi-layered lacquering process makes the chopsticks glossy, water-resistant, termite-resistant, heat-resistant, and colorfast over time. For him, the faint scent of the lacquer is "the scent of patience," the culmination of time.

Mr. Le Thanh Trien introduces Quang Thuy wooden chopsticks.

Le Thanh Trien constantly innovates and diversifies his products. Besides common chopsticks, he boldly creates a line of high-end chopsticks, transforming everyday utensils into works of art. These chopsticks are inlaid with mother-of-pearl, intricately carved with lotus flower motifs, tortoiseshell, or have metal tips. The chopsticks become gifts carrying profound cultural messages, where modern techniques and traditional craftsmanship intertwine and blend.

The cooperative currently produces approximately 300,000 pairs of chopsticks and nearly 20,000 coconut shells, along with tens of thousands of toothpick holders and orchid baskets each month. Their products are available in many large supermarkets such as Co.op mart and Big C, hotel chains, and major markets nationwide.

In particular, recognizing the booming trend of digital platform applications, Mr. Trien proactively expanded his online business through reputable e-commerce platforms such as Postmart, Shopee, Lazada, Voso, SmartGAP, and QuangbinhTrade. This is a strategic move that helps the cooperative's products reach a wider domestic consumer base and penetrate demanding markets such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, and Europe.

In 2024, the cooperative's total revenue reached 12 billion VND, nearly double that of previous years, creating stable jobs for over 100 local workers, with an average salary of 7 million VND per person per month. With two product lines: kitchenware made using traditional lacquer technology achieving a 4-star provincial OCOP rating and Quang Thuy wooden chopsticks achieving a 5-star national OCOP rating, Quang Thuy chopsticks have become a bright spot on the OCOP product map of the North Central region.

Mr. Trien is planning to open a chopsticks craft experience center. There, students and tourists can whet chopsticks, paint them, box them, and bring them home as meaningful gifts from their hometown. This is also an opportunity to open up a direction for cultural development associated with sustainable tourism for the craft village.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tuan, Deputy Head of the New Rural Development Office and Deputy Director of the Cooperative Economic and Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries Management Sub-Department, said: “The Quang Thuy Wooden Chopstick Production and Trading Cooperative is a typical model of a national-level OCOP product. Combining production, experience, and tourism connection is a suitable direction. We are developing a support plan to develop it into a model craft village of the province.”

The story of Le Thanh Trien and Quang Thuy wooden chopsticks is a journey of entrepreneurship fueled by determination, a testament to love, perseverance, and a desire to preserve the essence of Vietnamese culture. From humble beginnings, he built a nationally recognized brand, affirming the identity of the traditional craft village and inspiring self-reliance in the younger generation. This is also how he elevates Vietnamese agricultural products, allowing the Vietnamese spirit to permeate everyday meals.

Quang Ngoc

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/tu-doi-dua-que-den-thuong-hieu-quoc-gia-195532.htm