Entrepreneurial spirit revitalizes ancestral beekeeping practice, propelling it to nationwide recognition
Buzzing Success in Huong Son: The Remarkable Rise of Cường Nga Honey Cooperative
Situated in the heart of Huong Son, Hà Tĩnh Province, lies a region brimming with lush mountains and an abundance of wildflowers, making it a perfect haven for beekeepers. For centuries, the locals have relied on beekeeping as a traditional means of livelihood, supplying honey in modest quantities for personal use or within the local market.
But all that changed when Nguyễn Văn Cuống, the visionary mastermind behind Cường Nga Honey Cooperative, burst onto the scene. Through innovation and unwavering commitment to quality, he catapulted Huong Son honey onto the national stage and blazed a trail for sustainable beekeeping in the region.
Established in 2019, the Cường Nga Honey Cooperative kicked off its voyage in Đòng Tiến Village, Quang Diệm Commune, after a merger with the Tình Diệ̂m Beekeeping Cooperative Group. With VNĐ700 million in registered capital, the cooperative's origins started humbly, but ambitious goals lay ahead.
In the landscape of Huong Son, the bees delighted in the diverse, native nectar offered by the pristine forests. With faithful adherence to food safety and hygiene standards, each jar of Cường Nga honey bears the seal of VietGAP certification, demonstrating the cooperative's diligence in adopting a closed-loop production process that ensured consistency and compliancy.
From a 3-star OCOP rating in 2019, the cooperative soared to a remarkable 4-star designation in 2024.
Hailing from Huong Son, Cuống grew up surrounded by bees and watchful hives, imbued with a passion for apiculture that would later drive his entrepreneurial spirit. Armed with a degree in cultural management, he honed his expertise in advanced beekeeping techniques such as queen bee breeding and hive splitting. These coveted skills, rarely mastered at the time, laid the foundation for scalable honey production.
As a beekeeping pioneer, Cuống's fortunes took a significant turn with the launch of the One Commune, One Product (OCOP) programme. The initiative granted the original cooperative group an injection of State support, propelling them into the modern honey industry. With seed capital at the ready, Cuống built a state-of-the-art processing facility equipped with the most advanced moisture reduction and honey extraction systems in the region.
"At the time, the technology was second to none in Hà Tĩnh," Cuống said with pride. "It helped revolutionize our entire operation, from hive to bottle."
With a keen eye for growth, Cuống didn't rest on his laurels. Recognizing the rich natural resources at his disposal, the cooperative expanded its member base to 18, leading to a steady, high-quality honey supply. These beekeeping partners maintained between 50 and 200 hives apiece, contributing to the collective annual output of nearly 2,000 bee colonies and 20 tonnes of honey. By 2024, production reached an impressive 2,500 colonies and 22 tonnes of honey.
In the spirit of collaboration, the Cường Nga Cooperative now partners with 132 households across Huong Son, Can Loc, and Ky Anh districts, all working together to ensure a continuous supply of premium honey. To achieve such unity, the cooperative offers vital support in the form of equipment, bee breeds, and technical training, while committing to purchasing all the honey produced.
"In the early days, we had to wait for the year's harvest to pay our beekeepers," Cuống explained. "Now, with improved cash flow, we pay up front. That strengthens trust and helps the cooperative flourish."
The Cường Nga Honey Cooperative has more than earned its place as a pillar of the local community. With unwavering dedication to quality, the cooperative possesses a meticulous approach to its honey production, thanks to the stringent VietGAP model implemented across the chain. As a result, the cooperative's honey has retained its 3-star OCOP rating since 2019 and recently achieved a prestigious 4-star rating in 2024, making it one of the top 100 Outstanding Rural Industrial Products in Vietnam.
The recognition granted to Cường Nga Honey is a testament to the distinct character and exceptional quality that emanates from every jar. "Vietnam has no shortage of honey producers," Cuống stated, "but Huong Son honey bears a unique charm, derived from the very essence of the wildflowers, the forest, and the human touch that nurtures every hive."
Now a household name, Cường Nga Honey products grace the shelves of food stores and specialty supermarkets nationwide, with plans to gradually infiltrate the digital market via e-commerce platforms and social media. Yet, challenges remain on the horizon. "Expansion to major supermarket chains is our dream," Cuống admitted. "But satisfying their volume requirements is a daunting task."
He further elaborated on the daunting hurdle of securing financing, expressing hope for more accessible and flexible funding mechanisms that will pave the way for continued growth and progress.
Despite the hurdles, the Cường Nga Honey Cooperative stands tall, driving the beekeeping industry in Hà Tĩnh Province towards new heights while supporting economic development and environmental conservation in the region. #CuongNgaHoneyRevolution
Nguyễn Văn Cường, director of the Cường Nga Honey Cooperative (left), at a honey product exhibition in Hà Tĩnh Province. Photo courtesy of Cường Nga Honey Cooperative
In the pursuit of a sustainable beekeeping industry in Huong Son, technology played a pivotal role with the introduction of advanced machinery, such as moisture reduction and honey extraction systems, revolutionizing the operation of Cường Nga Honey Cooperative.
The cooperative's expansion to partnerships with 132 households not only ensured a continuous supply of premium honey but also bolstered the local economy, providing essential equipment, bee breeds, and technical training to its partners.
Integrating culture into business operations, Cường Nga Honey Cooperative capitalized on the unique charm of Huong Son honey, captured from the wildflowers and forests of the region, to attract consumers both locally and nationwide.
As the cooperative looks to the future, it aims to expand its reach to major supermarket chains, but faces financing challenges that require accessible and flexible funding mechanisms.
Exploring opportunities in e-commerce platforms and social media, the cooperative plans to gradually infiltrate the digital market, showcasing its dedication to quality and environmental conservation while fostering economic development in the region. #CuongNgaHoneyRevolution
