Farmers reap millions of dong per day from Vietnamese asparagus cultivation

Mr. Le Van Hung of Hoang Chau Commune, Hoang Hoa District, Thanh Hoa Province works at a dental clinic. However, his passion for agriculture led him to invest in Vietnamese asparagus cultivation. This venture generates millions of Vietnamese dong in income every day.

In Thanh Thinh Village, Hoang Chau Commune, almost everyone knows Mr. Hung (born in 1985). In addition to being known for his work in the local dental clinic, he is often referred to as “the asparagus boss.”

Mr. Hung shared that his primary job is at a local dental clinic, where he earns a stable income. However, coming from a farming family, he could not bear to see his family’s crop fields left idle. Therefore, he decided to search for a suitable crop to cultivate.

Vietnamese asparagus cultivation

“During the day, I worked at the clinic, and in the evenings, I searched online for agricultural crops that were both suitable for local soil conditions and capable of generating high economic value. After researching various options, I found that there was high demand of asparagus with a high market price. Therefore, I decided to invest in Vietnamese asparagus cultivation,” Mr. Hung recalled.

Coming from a farming background and having no formal agricultural training, Mr. Hung spent many sleepless nights considering the risks before starting his asparagus venture. In 2017, he decided to invest VND 300 million in irrigation systems, fertilizers, land improvement, seedlings, and other necessities for 10 sao of farmland.

“When I first started, I felt very worried because it was a large investment. If the project failed, I could lose everything. During breaks from work, I spent time researching online and learning about asparagus farming models, cultivation techniques, and harvesting methods. Everything had to follow a proper process. Otherwise, the plants could die or produce low yields,” Mr. Hung shared.

According to Mr. Hung, his Vietnamese asparagus cultivation can give harvest just over three months after planting. Harvesting begins once the shoots reach a height of 20–30 centimeters. During the first harvest season, buyers came to purchase the asparagus, which brought him great satisfaction.

Vietnamese asparagus exports

Mr. Hung explained that asparagus thrives in sandy loam soil and, once planted, can be harvested continuously for seven to ten years before replanting is required. Although the initial investment cost is relatively high, operating costs in subsequent years are much lower. Meanwhile, the crop continues to generate strong economic returns.

“On my 10 sao of land, I harvest four crops each year, producing around seven tons annually. With the current selling price of VND 55,000 per kilogram, I earn millions of dong in revenue every day,” Mr. Hung said.

According to Mr. Hung, Vietnamese asparagus is a challenging crop to cultivate and requires advanced technical knowledge. This is particularly important in soil preparation, fertilization, weed control, and soil tillage after each harvest.

The crop requires careful management of growing conditions. He should maintain soil moisture at 60–70%, while soil pH should range from 6.0 to 7.0. The land must be free from acid sulfate contamination and waterlogging. In addition, the average temperature should remain between 25–35°C.

During the dry season, he should complete irrigation before 5 p.m. to avoid affecting newly emerging shoots. In the rainy season, drainage ditches must be established to prevent water accumulation. Otherwise, waterlogged soil can cause root rot in asparagus plants.

Vietnamese asparagus farm

To maintain the asparagus fields, Mr. Hung employs one full-time worker. During harvest periods, he hires an additional three seasonal workers. He pays wages of VND 180,000–200,000 per person per day.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, Vice Chairwoman of the Hoang Chau Commune People’s Committee, said that the commune currently has about three hectares of green asparagus. Mr. Hung is one of the largest asparagus growers in the locality.

“The profit generated from green asparagus cultivation is substantial. In the coming years, we will consider expanding the cultivation area and seeking additional partner organizations. This will allow more households to access and benefit from growing this crop,” Ms. Lan said.