Despite once losing nearly 2,000 sturgeon due to flood-induced murky water - an incident that cost them over 200 million VND (around USD 8,000) - a Nung ethnic couple in Ha Quang remained undeterred. Thanks to a natural spring gifted by the mountains, their sturgeon farming model has become a billion-dong success story.

Prospering from a mountain spring

During visits to the historic Pac Bo Revolutionary Site in Cao Bang Province, many tourists stop by the Pac Bo sturgeon farm located in Ban Hoang Hamlet, Truong Ha Commune, Ha Quang District. The farm is run by Nguyen Van Cong and his wife, a model of economic success in the region.

Sturgeon, often dubbed a “rich man’s fish,” fetches high market prices - ranging from 400,000 to 500,000 VND per kilogram (USD 16–20) in Hanoi.

“We started farming sturgeon in 2017,” Cong shared. “After studying several models and realizing their high effectiveness, and seeing that our area had the right natural conditions, we invested about 200 million VND (USD 8,000) using our savings, support from relatives, and bank loans.”

Initially, they began with just a few hundred fish for trial, then gradually increased to thousands, eventually reaching tens of thousands annually. Most of their sturgeon fry come from Sa Pa (Lao Cai) and Yen Bai. However, the long transport makes the young fish prone to suffocation.

Currently, very few facilities in Cao Bang farm sturgeon, and the lack of local technical support adds to the difficulty in preventing and treating fish diseases.

Since launching their farming model, the couple has faced numerous risks. Fish diseases that go untreated can wipe out entire batches. Prolonged flooding seasons bring muddy water, which can kill the fish en masse.

“The worst loss was in 2014. After the flood, murky water persisted and we lost nearly 2,000 fish, which cost us over 200 million VND (USD 8,000). But we persevered, knowing that sturgeon farming inevitably involves risk,” Cong said.

Despite being recognized as an effective poverty-reduction model, many households hesitate due to the high upfront costs. Building fish tanks, laying water pipelines, buying fry, and purchasing feed can cost hundreds of millions of dong.

“Recently, we invested in additional tanks, expanding the total water surface area to about 1,000 square meters. When we want to increase output, we add more fish. So far, we’ve spent nearly 700 million VND (around USD 28,000) on the farm,” Cong shared.

Bringing sturgeon to major cities

A positive sign for aspiring sturgeon farmers is that local authorities now offer partial financial support.

“We received a 50 million VND (USD 2,000) subsidy to buy sturgeon fry, which significantly reduced our investment burden,” Cong noted.

Typically, sturgeon reach 2–3 kilograms after 12 to 18 months of farming. Cong’s farm primarily sells fish of this size, though larger specimens - 4 to 5 kilograms - are sold during the year-end season. With an annual output of 4–5 tons and a market price of approximately 250,000 VND/kg (USD 10), the couple earns billions of dong each year, rising from poverty to become one of the more affluent households in the region.

Many restaurants in Cao Bang are now loyal customers of Pac Bo Sturgeon Farm. Orders are placed by phone or online, and the fish are selected, cleaned, and delivered promptly.

Currently, most sales occur within Cao Bang Province. However, Cong plans to expand operations to Hanoi and is exploring partnerships with enterprises to ensure a stable market.

“There are many agricultural models that help people escape poverty. But to raise sturgeon, one needs experience, technical knowledge, and capital. It’s not a simple model. I really hope to receive more support from fisheries agencies in fish care, disease prevention, and treatment to make this model sustainable,” Cong expressed.

Luu Trong Hinh, Head of the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs in Ha Quang District, Cao Bang, stated that the district is promoting several economic development models in ethnic and mountainous areas, especially cold-water fish farming concentrated around the Pac Bo area, with plans to expand to other regions with suitable water sources.

Sturgeon farming brings considerable profit. Across the district, many such models are showing positive results, with farmers earning up to 2 billion VND (about USD 80,000) annually.

The sturgeon farming model has significantly improved household incomes and opened new avenues for aquaculture development in Ha Quang.

Binh Minh - Thach Thao - Xuan Minh