From Quiet Fields To The Ambition Of Taking Vietnamese Brands Further
The journey of a HAI Pesticide researcher and the story behind field trials and product development for Vietnamese agriculture
Some journeys are not measured by years of service or titles earned, but by the challenges overcome, the long trips that begin before sunrise, and the days spent working in the fields. For Do Van Bao, a plant protection researcher, the journey from a young man facing difficult circumstances to a professional directly involved in research, field trials, and product development is a story of perseverance, knowledge, and the ambition to contribute to Vietnamese agriculture.
FROM ADVERSITY TO A CAREER IN RESEARCH
Not everyone begins their journey in life on an easy path. For Bao, his educational and professional journey started amid considerable difficulties, where continuing his studies and pursuing a career aligned with his passion required great determination.
In 2020, Bao had the opportunity to join HAI Pesticide Joint Stock Company, beginning his career in the field of plant protection product trials. The job required him to regularly visit agricultural production areas, observe crops, monitor pests, conduct experiments, and record evaluation criteria under actual field conditions.
SCHOLARSHIPS, KNOWLEDGE, AND DIFFICULT DECISIONS
During his time at the company, Bao received a full scholarship from Vingroup to pursue a Master's degree in Plant Protection at Can Tho University. This was a valuable opportunity to deepen his specialized knowledge and establish a scientific foundation for his long-term career.
For more than a year, Bao worked while studying. During the day, he handled work assignments, field trial plans, site visits, and technical reports. Outside working hours, he focused on lectures, research materials, and the demands of postgraduate study. The pressure of managing two demanding commitments simultaneously continued to grow.
Eventually, he decided to temporarily leave HAI Pesticide to concentrate on his studies. Once his academic schedule had stabilized, Bao took on various jobs to earn additional income and cover his living expenses. He later joined Ngoc Tung Production – Trading – Service Co., Ltd., where he continued working in plant protection product trials, the field he had chosen and remained committed to.
RETURNING TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
After completing his Master's degree, professional circumstances brought Bao back to HAI Pesticide Joint Stock Company. He returned to the same field of plant protection product trials, the same agricultural landscapes, and the same field trips, but with a different set of experiences: deeper specialized knowledge, greater practical expertise, and a clearer understanding of the responsibilities of a researcher.
“THE 82ND TRIAL OF TRIBULATIONS” IN THE PINEAPPLE FIELDS
Just over three months after returning to HAI Pesticide, Bao was assigned to conduct field trials of Effort 2.5PA to evaluate its ability to stimulate flowering in pineapple plants. Previously, the product had been registered for use in stimulating latex production in rubber trees.
The trial site was located in a pineapple-growing area in Tan Phuoc, in the former Tien Giang Province. Bao and his colleague Dat, who also specialized in field trials, were directly responsible for implementing and monitoring the experiment.
The challenges began with the journey itself. The roads leading to the pineapple fields were unsuitable for vehicle access, preventing the company's pickup truck from reaching the trial site. The two researchers had to travel by motorbike, setting off at around 4 a.m. and spending nearly three hours on the road before arriving.
Along the way, they passed sections of National Highway N2 under construction, where thick clouds of dust filled the air. The route continued along bumpy, pothole-ridden roads leading into the pineapple fields. The two colleagues jokingly called it “The 82nd Trial of Tribulations – A Grueling Journey Through Field Trials.” Behind the humor, however, lay the very real effort required of those conducting research in the field.
The work did not end after the initial trial setup. Evaluation criteria had to be monitored continuously and checked at predetermined intervals. Bao and Dat made three separate field trips to inspect the trial site, record observations, and evaluate the results.
THE BLOSSOMS AFTER NEARLY 30 DAYS OF WAITING
After nearly 30 days of monitoring, the initial results brought encouraging news. According to observations at the trial site, pineapple plants treated with Effort 2.5PA showed a positive response. They flowered approximately 30 days earlier, with relatively good flowering performance under the trial conditions.
For a researcher, seeing the first flowers appear is more than simply witnessing an experimental result. It is also a meaningful response to hundreds of kilometers traveled, early mornings that began before sunrise, and countless hours spent working in the fields.
FIELD TRIALS – THE FOUNDATION FOR QUALITY PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
In the plant protection industry, product development involves much more than selecting active ingredients or formulating products. To meet the needs of agricultural producers, products must be researched, tested, and evaluated under actual cultivation conditions.
At HAI Pesticide, research and field trials are not solely intended to expand the product portfolio. More importantly, they aim to identify and develop solutions suited to Vietnam's agricultural conditions, with a focus on application effectiveness, economic value, and long-term benefits for farmers.
FROM A SINGLE FIELD TO THE AMBITION OF TAKING VIETNAMESE BRANDS FURTHER
A quality product is never created through an idea alone. Behind it lie research capabilities, field trial data, corporate investment, and the dedication of technical professionals. Every result documented through rigorous evaluation can become the foundation for a new stage of development.
As market expectations continue to rise, a brand cannot achieve sustainable growth through promotion alone. It must be built on quality, real-world effectiveness, serious investment in science and technology, and the trust of its users.
FOR THE GROWTH OF VIETNAMESE BRANDS
Bao's journey—from a young man facing difficult circumstances, balancing work and study, completing his Master's degree, and returning to research—demonstrates that while circumstances may create challenges, perseverance can open new paths.
Behind every quality product lies a long process of research, testing, evaluation, and refinement. It is through journeys like these that the ambition to develop quality products, strengthen the position of HAI Pesticide, and help Vietnamese brands reach a wider market is nurtured day by day.
As “The 82nd Trial of Tribulations” comes to an end, new journeys are already waiting ahead.
For those conducting research in the fields, the hope after every dusty road and long journey remains simple: a successful result, a quality product, effective solutions for farmers, and the pride of knowing that Vietnamese expertise, responsibility, and perseverance are helping Vietnamese brands reach further.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
For field trial activities to proceed smoothly, the efforts of the research team must be supported by the cooperation and assistance of the wider organization.
Do Van Bao and his colleagues would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Board of Management of HAI Pesticide Joint Stock Company, as well as the departments, teams, and colleagues who provided support and assistance throughout the implementation of their work. Every achievement is not the result of one individual's efforts alone, but rather the outcome of teamwork, coordination, and collective commitment.
“Every field trial result today can become the foundation for a product tomorrow; every quality product is another building block in strengthening the trust and standing of Vietnamese brands.”
AUTHOR / SOURCE INFORMATION
Featured individual: Do Van Bao – Plant Protection Researcher, HAI Pesticide Joint Stock Company.
