Throughout our journey, we visited various indigenous communities (The Cham in Binh Thuan and The Raglai in Ninh Thuan) and engaged in meaningful interactions with the farmers. We observed their traditional farming techniques for rice, cashew, grape, and jujube crops in Binh Thuan and aloe vera cultivation in Ninh Thuan. These techniques have been passed down through generations, relying on a deep connection with the land and nature. Local farms encountered issues related to supply and demand, product storage, specific climate conditions, and a lack of fresh water, resulting in ad-hoc and unsustainable transitions in agricultural practices.
We also had the opportunity to visit Canh Dong Viet Food JSC, a manufacturer of aloe vera-based products. This company serves as a local role model for sustainable practices. They have established stable value chains and promoted social welfare for the labour force, particularly for indigenous communities.