From humble beginnings, Mrs Ho Thi Nhuc, owner of "Cocimo Cau Mong beef sausages" in Hoa An Ward, Cam Le District, Da Nang, boldly borrowed VND 300 million to successfully start a business with sausages in bamboo tubes. The eco-friendly product generates an annual revenue of around VND 3 billion, providing employment for dozens of locals.

Mrs Ho Thi Nhuc with her bamboo sausage products

Formerly an accountant for a company in Da Nang, Mrs Nhuc faced difficulties when the business struggled after the COVID-19 pandemic, leading her to resign. Subsequently, she and her husband explored various ventures, including running a restaurant and trading in wood, all without success. Undeterred, they decided to venture into producing "clean" sausages

"Da Nang is famous for its beef sausages with many established brands. While there was pressure, we aimed to differentiate ourselves by ensuring safety, health, and environmental friendliness," said Mrs Ho Thi Nhuc

With a bold decision, she borrowed VND 300 million to purchase machinery and establish a bamboo sausage production facility. Creating quality beef sausages posed challenges, requiring fresh and clean ingredients. The minced meat is stuffed into bamboo tubes and steamed, a seemingly simple process with the complexity of maintaining the sausage's firm, fresh texture without using additives.

Despite numerous failed attempts and estimated costs of testing reaching tens of millions of VND, Mrs Nhuc remained undaunted, determined to produce a clean sausage for consumers.

"The image of bamboo is always associated with the homeland. Moreover, it is an environmentally friendly material. Making sausages from bamboo tubes not only imparts a distinctive flavor but also minimizes environmental pollution," stated Mrs Nhuc.

One end of the bamboo sausage is wrapped in silver paper and tied with coconut fiber string before being placed in a woven grass basket. Currently, Mrs. Ho Thi Nhuc's facility produces various sausages, including beef, pork, shrimp, grilled shrimp bamboo and sausages.
 

Mrs. Nhuc introduces her bamboo sausage products

For the time being, the bamboo sausage production facility, with over a dozen employees, earns nearly VND 3 billion annually. Mrs Nhuc and her husband are completing quality assurance certifications and advancing the OCOP profile to expand the market with the Cocimo bamboo sausage brand.

Currently, Cocimo bamboo sausages are well-received by consumers in Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and several provinces and cities. Mrs. Nhuc aspires to develop distributors nationwide to introduce and promote her products.

Having recently secured a contract to export shrimp sausages in bamboo tubes abroad, Mrs Nhuc emphasizes prioritizing quality with the aim of promoting her hometown's distinctive products overseas.

Reporting by MOC NHIEN - Translating by T.VY