Brian Jeffrey
Le Van Sam, commonly referred to as Ba Sam, is a well-known figure in the Thach Hai commune of Thanh Phu district in Ben Tre province.
At 67 years old, this retired farmer has made a name for himself by spearheading modern shrimp farming, turning a struggling venture into a profitable multimillion-dollar operation.
Ba Sam’s shrimp farming journey started over two decades ago on his family’s 5-hectare farm where he initially employed traditional methods. While the business began with promise, he eventually faced considerable setbacks due to ineffective water management, disease outbreaks, and insufficient technical knowledge.
After enduring multiple unsuccessful harvests, Ba Sam contemplated selling his property and leaving shrimp farming behind. However, inspired by the advancements he learned from high-tech shrimp farms in Ca Mau and Bac Lieu, he chose to adapt his approach.
He traveled to other provinces to study modern practices in shrimp farming, realizing that high-tech aquaculture enabled superior disease management, enhanced environmental oversight, and much greater yields compared to conventional methods.
In 2015, Ba Sam took a bold step by investing $8,000 to construct a 1,000-square-meter high-tech shrimp pond. His first harvest was an unexpected success, yielding 8 tons of shrimp and generating $32,000 in revenue. This positive outcome motivated him to broaden his farming operation.
Today, Ba Sam manages 50 hectares, with each hectare producing between 50 and 70 tons of shrimp yearly, and certain sections even reaching 100 tons. His successful practices include:
Building covered ponds to shield shrimp from environmental changes.
Implementing advanced water treatment systems to maintain ideal conditions.
Adopting rigorous disease management protocols to ensure healthier shrimp and better yields.
His farm also holds an international certification, meeting the ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) standards, which is recognized globally for sustainable practices and food safety. This accreditation enables him to sell shrimp at a premium, approximately $0.20 per kilogram above the average market price.
In his most recent harvest, Ba Sam achieved an impressive output of 134 tons of shrimp from 3 hectares, leading to a profit of $640,000 after expenses. His farm generates between $1.2 million and $2 million in net profit each year.
This success story has also created job opportunities for 50 local residents, providing them with stable employment in the community.
Ba Sam is confident that high-tech shrimp farming represents the future of this industry. While the upfront investment may be substantial, the long-term advantages—such as increased yields, better disease management, and sustainable methods—make it a worthy pursuit.
As Vietnam’s seafood sector continues to flourish, Ba Sam’s farm exemplifies how innovation and determination can revitalize a small business into a successful enterprise.
Looking ahead, Ba Sam aims to further expand his farming operation, enhance his techniques, and play a significant role in advancing sustainable shrimp farming practices in Vietnam.
