Two youths from the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap have each returned to their hometown to develop their startup ideas inspired by the province’s symbolic flower, the lotus.

Ngo Chi Cong and Doan Ngoc Minh Thuy, each with their own journey, came up with different concepts to run businesses centered around the symbolic species of flower.

The two youngsters chose to leave the city lifestyle for their homes in the rustic Dong Thap Province in order to build their dreams.

Embalmer of lotus blooms

Born in Cao Lanh, the capital city of Dong Thap, Cong previously had the opportunity to study in a bio-chemistry master's program in France.

“I also had plans to build a life in the up and coming Ho Chi Minh City like other young people. However, my first unsuccessful business attempt led me back to my hometown,” Cong recalled.

“My journey back to Dong Thap was on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, when local authorities were calling on young people to leverage the province’s potential to contribute to local development,” he continued.

The lotus flower was not the first target of the young man when he began his business in the Mekong Delta province, rather pottery products, but this eventually ended in failure.

With a life-long love for the specific type of blooms, Cong came up with the concept of embalming the flower in order to keep it fresh and colorful for as long as possible.

He sought out the technology for drying the roses of farmers in Da Lat City, a popular tourist destination in the Central Highlands, and attempted to apply it to the lotus.

Ngo Chi Cong

The first phase of Cong’s business operation was very challenging as the lotus blossoms had to be transported all the way from Dong Thap to Da Lat, about 430km apart.

The nine-hour journey often caused damage to the petals and they frequently wilted before they could be embalmed.

Cong decided to teach himself the technology and managed to acquire the necessary skill after six months, meaning he was able to add different shades to the lotus petals while preserving the natural scent of the blooms.

A dried lotus flower can keep its freshness and liveliness for between nine and 12 months.

The fresh blossoms are mainly collected from gardens in Cao Lanh City and Thap Muoi District before being transported to a nearby facility, where Cong has created an electric drying machine with different recipes for the lotus petals, leaves, and sepals.

The young entrepreneur is now seeking ways to improve his invention in order to boost the quality and quantity of his production.

Currently the owner of a successful business named Khoi Minh, Cong has established partnerships with several stores in Dong Thap Province, Ho Chi Minh City, and also in Paris, France.

Soap made from lotus flower essence, melaleuca, and activated carbon. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Lotus flower essence

Thuy, also specialized in bio-chemistry, started her business after seeing the great potential in the agricultural byproducts like kumquat and grapefruit peels, lemongrass leaves, and used lotus flowers, which are considered throwaways by most people.

These ‘unwanted’ materials became the main ingredient for Thuy’s production of essences, used to enhance the quality of a variety of herbal remedies.

With the extract of lotus flowers, kumquats, grapefruits, and melaleuca, all of which are widely grown in Dong Thap, Thuy has been able to add unique fragrances to natural soaps, mosquito repellent wrist bands, nasal inhalers, and wooden souvenirs.

Thuy’s signature products are soap bars manufactured from lotus flower essence, melaleuca, and activated carbon, which are gentle to the face and body and are enhanced by a relaxing aroma from the lotus bloom.

“I’m looking for a new method to improve the lotus distillation process,” the young entrepreneur explained.

Thuy graduated from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Science and previously worked for a cosmetics company for four years, before developing her own brand ‘Huong Dong Thap,’ (Dong Thap Scent).

“The primary driver of my business is my love for the lotus blossom. It’s the iconic symbol representing the soul and spirit of the people of Dong Thap,” Thuy said.

The young entrepreneur shared her intention to develop a lotus garden in Sa Dec City, which will become her source of material and allow local farmers to work on and acquire the technology.

With the existing advantage being a tourism destination, Sa Dec can now offer a new experience to visitors; the chance to nurture lotus flowers and extract their essence directly at the garden, Thuy explained.

Doan Ngoc Minh Thuy

No place like home

Talking about their decision to launch their startups in Dong Thap instead of a prominent city such as Ho Chi Minh City, Cong and Thuy both said that they had received helpful support and favorable conditions from local authorities.

Despite the lack of support services, namely advertising, website design, packaging and others, it remains an interesting, if not challenging path for the two startup founders.

“I developed my startup business to be able to do the things I love while satisfying my passion and creativity,” Cong said.

The two met each other at a startup contest in Cao Lanh City, the provincial capital, and have been assisting one another to improve their businesses, thus contributing to the development of their hometown.

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