Thai youth get rich on deserted island
(Baonghean.vn) - When the hydroelectric dam blocked the water, the village, fields, and agricultural land were submerged in water, but Lang Van Mao (born in 1987, residing in Tuc village, Dong Van commune, Que Phong district) still clung to the remote islands to make a living. Since then, the people in the area affectionately called Mao - Robinson of the Thai people.
| Clip: Robinson of Nghe An |
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| In 2012, the hydropower plant was preparing to store water, so Lang Van Mao's family and more than 1,300 other households had to move their houses and fields to a resettlement area. Many families chose to move on their own to new lands to settle. Photo: Phuong Cuong |
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| In 2013, facing the difficult life in the resettlement area, many young people in the village left their hometown to go to other regions to make a living, while Lang Van Mao returned to the remote islands on Hua Na hydroelectric lake to find a living. Photo: Phuong Cuong |
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| From the upstream wharf, Mao took a motorboat for more than half an hour to find an oasis, build a hut, and start making money. Photo: Phuong Cuong |
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| In the early days, he struggled alone with many difficulties and the constant fear of failure. "At first, I chose the island as a place to settle down to catch fish to sell at the market and protect the mangrove forest on the hydroelectric lake," said Mr. Mao. The amount of fish caught each day decreased, so he decided to invest in buying cages to raise fish. Each year, his family earns more than 50 million VND thanks to the available food on the lake. Photo: Phuong Cuong |
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| In 2016, Mr. Mao expanded his livestock farm, buying more cows, chickens, and ducks to raise on the islands. The number of cows and poultry has been increasing every year. To date, he has more than 10 buffaloes, cows, and hundreds of chickens on the island. Photo: Phuong Cuong |
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| Currently, after deducting expenses, his family earns more than 300 million VND each year from exploiting bamboo, raising fish, cattle, poultry and fishing on the lake. In which, exploiting bamboo is the main source of income. "From about August to December is the time when bamboo shoots grow in the forest, so absolutely do not cut them down" - Mr. Mao said. Photo: Phuong Cuong |
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| On July 7, 2017, Lang Van Mao, representing more than 3,500 youth union members of the mountainous district of Que Phong, was awarded a certificate of commendation by the Nghe An Provincial Youth Union for being good at production and business. Photo: Phuong Cuong |
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| Over the years, many people have come to learn about the economic methods of this young Thai man from the mountainous district of Que Phong. Photo: Phuong Cuong |