For 13 years as Secretary of the Cang village Youth Union in Nà Tấu commune, Lù Văn Đức has stood out for his proactive leadership, commitment and passion for youth work. Leading by example and delivering results, he has become a local role model for Youth Union members to follow.

After graduating from Điện Biên Economic College in 2009, Đức chose to stay in Nà Tấu to start his career, while many peers left home for job opportunities elsewhere. As Youth Union Secretary, he mobilized local youths to support new rural development, environmental protection and economic initiatives.

He backed words with action, launching the first models himself to earn young people’s trust. His early efforts growing arrowroot failed repeatedly due to steep terrain and limited experience. Undeterred, in 2019, he pivoted to plums after identifying the crop as a strong match for Nà Tấu’s climate and soil. He secured a preferential loan of VND 100 million from the provincial Youth Union’s support fund to invest in plum farming, while attending training programs and studying successful models across the country.

Đức planted 100 trees initially to test and refine his approach. His careful execution and gradual mastery of cultivation techniques paid off. He now manages 500 trees on 3 hectares, alongside 300 black canarium trees, 200 macadamia trees and 90 honeybee colonies, generating a stable VND 100- 120 million annually for his family.

As the model matured, Đức began coaching local Youth Union members in crop care, disease control and production planning. Households from Nà Tấu 3, Phiêng Ban and nearby communities have since visited to learn from and adopt his approach.

Another standout is Sùng A Nhà from Nậm Nhừ village, Nà Hỳ commune, who launched a startup raising native “ground hornets” - a wild forest species known for extremely potent venom.

In 2023, during a family visit to Si Ma Cai in Lào Cai province, Nhà saw local households earning high incomes from ground hornet farming. Inspired, he brought the idea back to Nà Hỳ.

On family-owned land, Nhà recreated natural nests using soil mounds, raising colonies in a semi-wild environment to preserve larva quality. His model now sustains more than 50 colonies, earning about VND 2 million per colony. Hornet larvae sell for VND 600,000 - 1,000,000 per kilogram depending on the season.

Nhà noted that ground hornet farming is highly sensitive: small changes in temperature, humidity or feed can lead to colony collapse or migration. His facilities are kept separate and equipped with climate regulators, humidity control and oxygen systems to maintain ideal conditions. He breeds grasshoppers and feeds the colonies wild forest honey to ensure healthy development.

Given the high economic returns, Nà Hỳ authorities are promoting the model for wider adoption.

Beyond farming, young entrepreneurs are moving boldly into community tourism and experience-based services. In Quan Chiêng village, Mường Lay town, Lù Thị Toản transformed her family’s traditional stilt house into a homestay offering White Thai cultural experiences nearly three years ago.

With family life stable, Toản has partnered with other households to build a community tourism value chain spanning accommodation, cuisine, live performances and ethnic cultural programs. The initiative has created more jobs for local women and increased household incomes.

“When I do it confidently, others believe they can too,” Toản said. “Now, women in the village are no longer hesitant. Everyone wants to contribute to growing our community tourism…”

Toản’s efforts have drawn consistent recognition. She was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the provincial Youth Union and named a “youth leader advancing President Hồ Chí Minh’s legacy.” At the 6th provincial Patriotic Emulation Congress (2025-2030), she received a Certificate of Commendation from the Chair of the provincial People’s Committee for her contributions to local socio-economic development.

To boost youth startups, Youth Union chapters have broadened expert networks linking mentors, young entrepreneurs and business advisors to guide projects from idea to scale. Short training programs in business planning, branding and trade promotion have continued to strengthen young people’s practical skills.

The provincial Youth Union has also coordinated with the Social Policy Bank, the National Employment Fund and youth startup support funds to facilitate low-interest loans for promising ventures. Today, hundreds of youth-run economic models operate across the province, many of them award-winning at local and regional levels.

Lò Xuân Hạnh, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Youth Union, said young people are cementing their leading role in local development through bold ideas and decisive action. “Successful startups deliver stable income and showcase the intelligence and dedication of young people in building a modern, prosperous hometown,” Hạnh said.