The farm, established after more than seven years of land restoration and cultivation, now has more than 1,600 durian trees, including around 1,200 Musang King trees and the remainder planted with the Monthong variety. Total investment in the project has exceeded VND25 billion (about US$953,000).
Mr. Sâm said he left his successful agricultural business in Ho Chi Minh City after handing it over to his children, motivated by a long-held ambition to produce safe, high-quality agricultural products through organic farming.
Before entering the agricultural business, Mr. Sâm worked on the construction of the Ia Ly Hydropower Plant. Although he later settled in Ho Chi Minh City, he said his attachment to Ia Ly ultimately drew him back.
Returning in 2018, he purchased land that had been exhausted by years of rubber cultivation. Restoring soil fertility required deep ploughing, large quantities of organic manure and a range of technical measures before planting could begin.
Musang King, while widely regarded for its premium quality, is among the most demanding durian varieties to cultivate. Mr. Sâm said he spent his early years on the farm studying cultivation techniques and adapting growing methods to local soil and climate conditions.
To generate income before the durian trees matured, he intercropped Thai jackfruit and passion fruit. The passion fruit alone produced hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong annually, helping to offset the farm's initial investment costs.
Rather than maximising yields, Mr. Sâm developed the farm around organic production. The operation uses bees for natural pollination, while maintaining grass cover beneath the trees to conserve moisture, improve soil quality and support beneficial organisms.
To ensure a reliable water supply, he invested nearly VND1 billion (about US$38,000) in a 2.5-kilometre pipeline bringing water from nearby mountains to the farm. The system uses natural elevation to distribute water throughout the irrigation network without pumps, reducing operating costs.
Drawing on years in the agricultural trade, Mr. Sâm said consumers increasingly prioritise safe, high-quality products with clear traceability over volume, reinforcing his commitment to organic production.
The orchard reached stable commercial production in 2025, harvesting nearly 100 tonnes of durian and generating almost VND7 billion (about US$267,000) in profit. Output is expected to rise to about 130 tonnes in 2026 as most of the trees enter peak production.
The farm supplies fresh durian to markets in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and other provinces across Vietnam. Through partnerships with businesses, part of the harvest is also introduced to international markets.
Mr. Sâm is also working with a university in Gia Lai and foreign partners to research durian preservation and freezing technologies aimed at maintaining natural flavour, extending shelf life and increasing product value.
Beyond fruit production, he plans to develop the farm into an eco-tourism destination combining agricultural experiences with local tourism, saying Ia Ly has strong potential for this model.
He also supports local farmers by providing seedlings and sharing organic cultivation techniques to help strengthen local production areas and improve the value of agricultural products.
Rơ Châm Tâm, Vice Chairman of the Ia Ly Commune People's Committee, said Mr. Sâm's farm demonstrates both strong economic performance and leadership in organic agriculture, while contributing to the development of a high-quality durian-growing area and creating stable employment for local workers.
Mr. Tâm said local authorities would continue supporting the development of planting area codes and improving product traceability to expand market access.