Le Van Sam, widely known as Ba Sam, is a household name in Thach Hai commune, Thanh Phu district, Ben Tre province.

The 67-year-old retiree has become a pioneer in high-tech shrimp farming, turning his once-struggling business into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.

From setbacks to success

Ba Sam’s journey into shrimp farming began more than 20 years ago when he started raising shrimp on his family’s 5-hectare farm using traditional methods. Initially, the business showed promise, but over time, he suffered significant losses due to poor water management, disease outbreaks, and lack of technical expertise.

At one point, consecutive failed harvests forced him to consider selling his land and abandoning shrimp farming altogether. However, after hearing about the success of high-tech shrimp farming in Ca Mau and Bac Lieu, he decided to take a different approach.

Ba Sam visited farms in other provinces to learn about modern shrimp farming techniques. He discovered that high-tech aquaculture offered better disease control, improved environmental management, and significantly higher yields compared to traditional methods.

In 2015, he decided to take a risk and invest in a 1,000-square-meter high-tech shrimp pond, spending $8,000 on infrastructure. The results exceeded his expectations - his first harvest yielded 8 tons of shrimp, generating $32,000 in revenue. Encouraged by this success, he began expanding his operation.

Building a high-tech shrimp empire

Ba Sam now owns 50 hectares of land, with each hectare producing between 50 and 70 tons of shrimp annually, and some areas reaching up to 100 tons. His farming method includes:

Covered ponds to protect shrimp from weather fluctuations.

Advanced water treatment systems to ensure optimal conditions.

Strict disease management protocols for healthier shrimp and higher yields.

His farm also benefits from international certification. His shrimp meet ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) standards, a globally recognized certification for environmental sustainability and food safety. This allows him to sell his shrimp at a premium price - $0.20 per kilogram higher than the market average.

In his latest harvest, Ba Sam produced 134 tons of shrimp from 3 hectares, generating $640,000 in profit after expenses. On an annual basis, his farm brings in between $1.2 million and $2 million in net profit.

His success has also provided employment for 50 local workers, offering stable jobs in his community.

Ba Sam believes that high-tech shrimp farming is the future of the industry. Although the initial investment is high, the long-term benefits - higher yields, better disease control, and sustainable practices - make it a worthwhile venture.

With Vietnam’s seafood industry growing rapidly, Ba Sam’s farm serves as an example of how innovation and persistence can turn a small-scale business into a thriving enterprise.

As he looks to the future, Ba Sam plans to further expand his farm, refine his techniques, and continue contributing to the advancement of sustainable shrimp farming in Vietnam.

Hoai Thanh