Nguyen Thi Nga’s path to success began with a simple idea in 2020. Seeing the rising demand for fresh garlic amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she ventured into online sales to offer a product that, beyond its culinary use, was valued for its health benefits. What started as an online fresh garlic business soon grew into something more significant: a high-tech black garlic production enterprise.
The Spark of Innovation Amid Crisis
Nga’s entry into the garlic business aligned with a period of market volatility caused by the pandemic. As markets for fresh garlic surged, she capitalized on its growing appeal as a health booster. With strategic sourcing from key garlic-growing regions like Hai Duong and Son La, Nga’s operation quickly gained momentum, selling around a ton of garlic per month online. Her direct-to-consumer approach through social media platforms like Facebook, Shopee, and Tiktok allowed her to engage a broader audience, achieving an impressive 40% customer return rate.
Expansion into Black Garlic: A High-Tech Transformation
Recognizing an opportunity to meet increasing consumer interest in processed garlic products, Nga took her business a step further. In 2021, she shifted her focus to producing black garlic, a specialty product created through a controlled fermentation process. This move was motivated by black garlic’s well-documented health benefits, which surpass those of fresh garlic, offering antioxidants and compounds that support cardiovascular health and immune resilience.
Nga initially faced significant challenges in producing high-quality black garlic due to the technical complexities of the fermentation process. With her investment in advanced Japanese fermentation equipment valued at nearly 1.5 billion VND, Nga was able to scale production. However, her journey was far from smooth—early batches often failed due to differing nutritional compositions in Vietnamese garlic compared to Japanese varieties. After extensive trials and modifications, Nga successfully developed a formula suited to local garlic, ensuring consistent, high-quality results.
Scaling Success and Community Impact
Over four years, Nga’s business has grown into a sustainable model with a loyal customer base exceeding 10,000 nationwide. Her company, Bao An Vietnam Trading and Production Co., Ltd., now produces nearly 3 tons of dried garlic monthly, creating jobs for eight employees. In addition to black garlic, the company offers honey-infused black garlic and black garlic liquor, products well-received by health-conscious consumers.
Nga’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. Recently, she was recognized as one of the 20 outstanding young entrepreneurs in her province, an award celebrating her contributions to the local economy. Her future plans include expanding online sales, adding more local produce such as dried banana, mango, and sweet potato to her product line, and achieving OCOP (One Commune One Product) certification.
Nguyen Thi Nga’s journey from selling fresh garlic online to pioneering black garlic production demonstrates the potential of modern agricultural entrepreneurship. Her ability to adapt, innovate, and create value-added products from local resources has not only set her business apart but has also contributed significantly to the local economy. Nga’s story is an inspiring model for young entrepreneurs in agriculture, showcasing how persistence and a willingness to innovate can open doors to new market opportunities in both local and international contexts.
