A desire to preserve a family tradition
I first heard about Ms. Van through recommendations from provincial Youth Union officials and positive feedback from customers who had used products from Van Lan Cooperative. Later, when I had the opportunity to speak with her in person, I admired even more her entrepreneurial journey and determination to expand her family’s traditional craft.
Ms. Van was born and raised in Thuan Duc village, Dong Son Ward, in a family that has practiced cajuput oil distillation for generations. The image of steaming pots filled with fragrant oil became not only a vivid childhood memory but also a motivation for her to preserve the craft.
In 2015, after earning a degree in Accounting from Duy Tan University in Da Nang and having opportunities to work in major cities, she chose to return to her hometown to inherit and develop her family’s essential oil business.
“In 2016, I officially registered my household business. Although it was a family tradition, I still faced many challenges when starting out. Traditional manual methods could no longer meet production demand and required significant labor. At the same time, limited capital, workforce shortages, and concerns about market demand sometimes pushed me into real crises. Fortunately, during those difficult times, my family always stood by me and encouraged me,” Ms. Van recalled.
Ms. Van is always meticulous and attentive to every product – Photo: T.P
While guiding us through her product display area, the young director shared that the peak production season typically runs from April to August each year. Producing high-quality essential oil is time-consuming and involves multiple stages.
After harvesting, workers dry the raw materials to increase oil yield. The materials are then distilled for 8–10 hours to produce essential oil with a clear color and natural fragrance. To ensure a stable supply of raw materials, Ms. Van cultivates two hectares of cajuput trees and collaborates with local farmers.
Her dedication paid off when, in 2023, her cajuput essential oil was certified as an OCOP (One Commune One Product) standard product.
Spreading local products to wider markets
After years of effort, in 2024, Ms. Van established the Van Lan Agricultural Production Cooperative. In addition to cajuput oil, the cooperative produces and sells a variety of products such as lemongrass oil, ginger oil, rose oil, ginger extract, herbal shampoo, grain powder, and natural products for mothers and babies to meet diverse market demands.
Ms. Tran Anh Quynh, a customer from Dong Hoi Ward, shared:
“I have purchased cajuput essential oil from Ms. Van’s shop many times and feel completely confident about its quality. I have also recommended it to other women, and everyone has given very positive feedback.”
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Toan, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union and Chairman of the Vietnam Youth Federation in the province, noted that youth entrepreneurship movements have spread widely in recent years. Among them, Ms. Van stands out as a typical example, demonstrating creativity, determination, and resilience.
At the beginning of 2025, Ms. Van made a major breakthrough by putting into operation a new 100-square-meter workshop equipped with a modern 2,000-liter electric distillation system, replacing two traditional manual pots with a total capacity of 600 liters.
This innovation increased productivity by 300%, reduced labor requirements, and lowered production costs.
As a result, the cooperative now supplies an average of 130–150 liters of cajuput oil annually. With support from authorities—especially the Youth Union—her products have been showcased at trade promotion fairs and are now available in supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels both within and outside the province.
Not only pursuing her own dream, Ms. Van has also created jobs for many local workers, with an average income of 7 million VND per person per month.
Looking at her hometown-branded products reaching markets nationwide, she shared: “I hope to continue developing the cooperative and introducing more new products. This is not only about preserving a traditional craft but also about bringing the essence of my hometown to people everywhere.”
IPA