Recognizing the growing trend of green living, a group of university students in Vietnam have developed an innovative business model called BioPicture.

The team, named 'Green Leaf,' is comprised of Nguyen Phuc Tan, Nguyen Hoang Viet, and Le Minh Hieu from the high-tech agriculture major; Nguyen Vu Huong Giang from the environmental engineering major; and Du Tuan Lam, a business administration student.

All team members are enrolled at Van Lang University in Ho Chi Minh City.

Their aim is to promote green spaces through their botanical art creations.

Innovative business concept

The students developed a painting style known as BioPicture, which utilizes natural materials such as recycled bamboo and wood for the frames, along with plant varieties they have cultivated themselves.

Hieu stated that the team had previously created termite-resistant bamboo and wood.

Drawing on their experience, the team continues to refine their unique painting style using entirely natural materials.

"We purchased nursery-grown plants and waited until they were strong enough before placing them in frames," Hieu said.

"We meticulously care for the plants until the day we deliver the paintings to our customers.

"The time required to create a painting depends on the form, size, and variety of plants used.

"For a painting with a box frame, it typically takes us around 3-5 days to place the plantlets and ensure they are strong enough."

Tan, another team member, said that creating a finished product involves several stages, including collecting materials, sorting and processing wood and bamboo, enhancing the frame's moisture resistance, and transforming materials into the desired frame before assembling and planting the trees.

"The most crucial stage is improving the material's resistance to termites and humidity," Tan elaborated.

"This technique aids in the sustainability of the botanical artwork by providing long-term care for the trees with water, thereby extending the painting's life cycle.

"We have gained extensive experience and applied a variety of knowledge, such as plant physiology, mechanical engineering in urban cultivation, and automation and coding."

Sensors, automated watering pump motors

According to Giang, Green Leaf's products can be used both indoors and outdoors.

The students have integrated additional technological features to enhance the functionality of their paintings, making them more suitable for urban living.

"Our products come equipped with sensors and automated watering pump motors," Giang explained.

"When soil humidity drops below a certain level, the system is activated to water the plants.

"When it rains, the sensors turn off the pump motor."

She added that data from the sensors is regularly updated to the system via Wi-Fi, allowing the painting owner to control it remotely.

Lam shared that the team conducted studies and found a high demand for decorative plants in homes and offices.

"We focus on urban dwellers and white-collar workers as our target customers, as they prefer clean products and enjoy planting trees for both pleasure and practical use, such as growing organic vegetables," Lam explained.

Currently, the team prices their botanical paintings in two ways: pre-designed pieces are available for VND300,000-1,000,000 (US$12-40) each, while customized items are sold for VND1-3 million ($40-120) each.

Green Leaf once won first place in Van Lang University's 'Ra Khoi' (Embark on a Voyage) competition for new business concepts.

The team plans to participate in additional business plan competitions in the future.

IoT, recycled materials

According to Dr. Vu Thi Quyen, head of the biotechnology department at Van Lang University, BioPicture boasts several unique selling points that align well with current green consumer behavior trends.

"The team's paintings are made of recycled materials derived from forestry by-products, making them environmentally friendly," Dr. Quyenh pointed out.

"The diverse product designs convey a high level of artistry and enthusiasm."

She also highlighted the advantage of customization, allowing clients to choose the design, size, and plant species.

Dr. Quyen noted that botanical paintings are relatively new in Vietnam, which means the student team may encounter challenges in commercializing their products.

"Apart from the creativity and uniqueness of the products, the team has implemented advanced technology to extend the lifespan of the painting frames and embedded IoT to facilitate the nurturing and protection of the botanical paintings," expounded Dr. Quyen.

"However, they must also focus on maintaining product stability, expanding their target customer base, and enhancing their marketing strategies."

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