SOURCE: Le Thuy, Dong Nai Online
In 2018, after joining a study trip to modern agricultural models in the Republic of Korea organized by the Dong Nai Farmers’ Association, Ly Minh Hung from Bau Ham commune realized the great potential of bananas if produced under a value chain model. Since then, he has mobilized local farmers to establish the Thanh Binh Cooperative, opening a new direction to enhance the value of Vietnamese bananas.
In the early days, Thanh Binh Cooperative had only a few dozen hectares of banana farms. However, with determination, perseverance, and long-term vision, Hung has developed the cooperative into one of the outstanding agricultural cooperatives in Dong Nai province.
To date, Thanh Binh Cooperative has developed a production chain spanning over 300 hectares of tissue-cultured bananas, applying safe farming practices that meet VietGAP and GLOBALG.A.P. standards. The cooperative’s bananas are regularly exported to demanding markets such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and Beijing (China). Each month, the cooperative exports around 600 tons of fresh bananas, generating stable income for its members and local workers.
According to Hung, the cooperative’s success lies in effectively connecting and operating the relationships among six key stakeholders: farmers, the government, businesses, scientists, banks, and distributors. Thanks to these close linkages, the cooperative can take the initiative in production, access financial resources, apply advanced technologies, and expand agricultural product consumption markets.
Hung shared: “The Party’s and the State’s resolutions have provided a solid foundation for the collective economy. The important thing is how we can operate it effectively and change our mindset to improve our own value and livelihoods.”
What is admirable about this farmer is his unwavering commitment to learning and self-improvement. Despite his age, he dedicates about three hours each day to studying English to enhance his communication with foreign partners. When preparing to export goods to Azerbaijan, where Russian is used, he even took the initiative to start learning a new language.
“Farming today requires not only labor but also knowledge. Without learning and understanding the market, it will be very difficult to integrate,” said Hung.
Beyond exporting fresh bananas, Hung has pioneered a circular agriculture model that utilizes by-products to add value. He noticed that hundreds of tons of banana trunks were discarded each harvest season, so he invested in technology to dry and export banana trunks to markets such as the United States, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, and France. Each month, the cooperative exports around 30 tons of dried banana trunks, generating more than VND 600 million in revenue and helping farmers earn an additional VND 25–28 million per hectare from by-products. This sustainable model not only increases farmers’ income but also helps reduce agricultural waste and protect the environment.
Even discarded bananas left behind after harvesting are thoroughly utilized by Hung. During the peak banana harvest season, he purchases around 900 tons of rejected bananas each month and sends them to a processing plant, where they are dried using modern technology. The peels are composted to produce organic fertilizer. As a result, the cooperative’s dried banana products are now available not only in the domestic market but also exported to Russia, the Republic of Korea, the United States, and several other countries.
This approach not only reduces agricultural waste but also provides a stable income for hundreds of local banana farmers. It reflects a sustainable direction in circular agricultural production. Thanh Binh Cooperative not only ensures stable livelihoods for farmers but also creates jobs for nearly 100 seasonal workers, who earn between VND 9 million and VND 15 million per month.
Nguyen Van Hai, a worker at the banana processing plant, shared: “Working here is comfortable and stable. If you work hard, you can earn several hundred thousand dong a day, enough to cover living expenses and save some.”
Thanks to a clear strategic direction and an innovative mindset, Thanh Binh Cooperative had surpassed its revenue target by 200% by the third quarter of 2025. “The market isn’t necessarily difficult; it simply demands higher standards. To succeed, we must be the ones to change first, change our mindset, our methods, and have the courage to step out of our comfort zone,” Hung said.
Evaluating Hung’s model, Nguyen Van Giang, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Farmers’ Association, said: “Through the movement of excellent farmers, many exemplary individuals have emerged, including Ly Minh Hung. Thanh Binh Cooperative has successfully linked farmers, enterprises, and suppliers to create an effective value chain for bananas in the province.”
For his contributions, Hung was honored as one of Vietnam’s Outstanding Farmers in 2023, the only representative from Dong Nai to receive the title. Thanh Binh Cooperative was also recognized as one of the nation’s 63 exemplary cooperatives in 2022 and won the ‘Cooperative Star’ award in 2024. Over the years, Hung has received four certificates of merit from the Dong Nai People’s Committee to be honored once again at the province’s 2025 Patriotic Emulation Congress as an outstanding farmer in production and business.
From a humble farmer, Ly Minh Hung has become a pioneer in bringing Vietnamese bananas to international markets, opening a new path for farmers in Dong Nai. His story is not only that of a skilled producer but also a vivid testament to the spirit of innovation, integration, and the aspiration to achieve prosperity in his homeland.