This transformation began just over two years ago with small-scale trials when Nguyễn Văn Tình from Nậm Kè village took a bold leap, planting nearly 2ha of wax gourds. He admits to being deeply worried initially about both technical requirements and market outlets, but after seeing stable demand, his family felt secure enough to expand their cultivation to over 5ha.

Compared to traditional corn and cassava, wax gourds offer significantly higher returns. With his 5ha area yielding roughly 80 tons per hectare and selling at VND 8,000/kg, his family brings in VND 3.2 billion per season, netting a profit of nearly VND 3 billion after costs. A critical factor in this success is the move away from total dependence on small-scale traders, as formal link-up units now stand ready to guarantee product buybacks. To combat the highland water scarcity, Nguyễn Văn Tình installed a drip irrigation system to maintain consistent moisture. This technology ensures water is distributed directly to each root, minimizing waste compared to traditional flood irrigation. This system also handles fertilization, saving labor while ensuring the entire 5ha receives precise nutrients.

In Phiêng Vai village, Phạm Thị Hà has also witnessed the effectiveness of this model. With nearly 3ha of gourds, her family expects to reap profits of approximately VND 1.8 billion per stable season. Building on this initial success, she established an Agricultural Production and Service Cooperative and expanded the raw material area by linking with farmers in neighboring Si Pa Phìn and Mường Chà. Founded in late 2022, her cooperative focuses on two main pillars: roses and wax gourds. By organizing professional production and connecting with the Hanoi market, the unit has become an essential bridge for local farmers.

The Hà Ân Agriculture Production and Service Cooperative is not just buying fresh produce; they are venturing into deep processing. They have successfully introduced “Cực Tây bí xanh trà” (West Pole Wax Gourd Tea), a product infused with local flavors. This is considered a vital strategic shift that helps local agricultural products avoid the “bumper crop, low price” trap while reaching a broader consumer base.

The success of these pioneers has sparked a movement throughout Nậm Kè. In recent years, many households have actively converted their inefficient rice and corn lands to wax gourds, bringing the total commune-wide area to over 8ha. Lò Văn Nguyên, a local resident, shared that his life has stabilized since the switch, and he believes that with proper care, wax gourds will become a primary crop in the local roadmap for hunger eradication and poverty reduction. Beyond the financial gains, the crop is reshaping how residents approach farming, shifting from purely experience-based methods to technical mastery and economic calculation.

Nguyễn Tiến Thành, Chairman of the Nậm Kè People’s Committee, confirmed that the wax gourd has proven highly compatible with the local climate and soil conditions. He emphasized that the commune will continue to guide residents toward developing concentrated production zones tied to stable outlets. As these gourds grow larger by the day on their trellises, they carry with them the growing confidence and expectations of the border people for a more prosperous future.