Young Man Builds 18,000m² Rose Farm in Dak Lak

From City Life to a Rose Wonderland: Young Man Builds 18,000m² Rose Farm in Dak Lak

Gifting Roses to His Mother

During the social distancing period, Nguyen Viet Anh (born in 1992, from Dak Lak Province) found more time to immerse himself in the vibrant beauty of his vast rose farm. Surrounded by the fragrant blooms, Viet Anh recalled his early struggles with the first 300 rose plants he had collected from various regions.

Viet Anh shared that he had always loved gardening and flowers since he was young, but never had enough time to truly care for them. While working away from home in past years, he would send his mother rose plants for holidays and special occasions. She would lovingly plant and nurture every rose he gave.

Over the years, those gifted rose plants blossomed into a stunning garden. "Everyone who saw my mother's rose garden was captivated. Some even came to ask if they could buy flowers. That’s when I had the idea of growing roses to sell," Viet Anh said.

Starting Small, Growing Big

In mid-2018, after gaining some planting experience from visiting rose gardens across the north and south of Vietnam, Viet Anh began his venture by planting 300 roses on a rented 3,000m² plot. He mostly purchased rose varieties from the North, known for their large, vibrant blooms that are well-suited to Vietnam’s climate.

Despite his enthusiasm, the early days were filled with hardship. The roses were weak, their flowers small and pale, and many fell prey to pests or disease. Viet Anh spent nearly all his time in the garden, experimenting tirelessly.

“I was always out in the field—wearing a conical hat in the sun, a raincoat in the rain—doing whatever it took to care for the plants,” he recalled. “I kept trying new formulas, spraying different treatments, then observing the changes. I also visited other farms, joined online communities, and learned everything I could.”

Leaving behind his office job, he wasn't yet used to the labor-intensive life of a farmer. There were days he was so exhausted he could fall asleep right beneath a rose bush.

One of Dak Lak’s Largest Rose Farms

Despite the challenges, Viet Anh never lost hope. Instead, he found happiness in nurturing the flowers he had adored since childhood. Over time, his efforts bore fruit—his rose bushes grew healthy, with large, richly colored blooms. He improved the soil, eliminated most plant diseases, and created ideal conditions for his roses.

The farm now spans 18,000m² and is considered one of the largest rose farms in Dak Lak. It houses over 10,000 rose bushes, including 300 different varieties, from local and international sources. There are even rare white roses and ancient rose trees with thick trunks, some valued at tens of millions of VND (over $1,000–$4,000 USD).

However, just when Viet Anh felt ready to start selling, he faced a setback. The farm’s remote location made it difficult to attract customers. Meanwhile, costs for labor, fertilizer, pesticides, and utilities kept adding up.

Persistence Pays Off

Not one to give up, Viet Anh expanded the farm, importing even more rare and exotic rose varieties. Confident in his skills and vision, he borrowed funds and leased more land. With over 300 varieties of roses—both domestic and imported—his garden soon began to attract a loyal customer base.

Today, Viet Anh earns between 50 to 60 million VND ($2,000–$2,500 USD) monthly from his rose sales. His farm also features elaborate landscaping, rose-covered arches, and colorful flower paths—all designed by Viet Anh himself.

A Free Floral Retreat for the Public

By early 2021, Viet Anh had transformed the entire space into a breathtaking rose farm filled with climbing roses, bush roses, and rose trees. The highlight includes 30- to 40-year-old heritage rose trees, with lush blooms and striking beauty.

The farm quickly became a popular free destination for sightseeing and photography, especially for local youth seeking Instagram-worthy shots.

Due to the pandemic, the rose farm is temporarily closed to the public. Still, each day, Viet Anh walks through the garden, capturing photos of the most beautiful blossoms.

A Life Among Roses

Despite the pause in business, Viet Anh enjoys a peaceful and fulfilling routine: mornings begin in the dewy fragrance of blooming roses; he waters, weeds, and plants. In the afternoons, he tends the soil, applies fertilizer, and protects the plants from pests.

“My days now pass gently, surrounded by roses,” he said. “I love roses—they are elegant, and they bloom every month. Growing and caring for roses has become my passion. I truly feel happy living a life devoted to what I love.”

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By Nguyen Son – VietnamNet
Photos: Provided by the subject