Vietnamese bamboo straws reach Europe

Products of bamboo straws brand Mao Meo by Nguyen Van Mao. Photo: Bich Hue - VNA

Facing the problem of plastic waste and the call to say no to the plastic straw, Mr. Nguyen Van Mao (born in Tan Ky district, Nghe An province) - Director of Cat Meo Bamboo Flute Company Limited in the process of diving mountains and forests have discovered this potential raw material to create environmentally friendly bamboo straws.

Starting a career at 22 years old with bamboo flute products, now after 10 years of success not only with bamboo flute, Mr. Mao is also the boss of 4 bamboo straw factories across the country, earning 10 billion dong. every month. This product has surpassed the territory of Vietnam, present in many territory countries around the world.

In the past, his father used bamboo straws to drink alcohol. In 2017, Mr. Mao intends to use a bamboo straw to replace plastic straws, but that's just the idea. "By 2018, when the movement to boycott plastic straws and in Europe banned the use of plastic straws, I think my ideas can come true," Mr. Mao shared.

Nearly 5 months, he went around the provinces and cities and found the source of bamboo materials, bamboo in Vietnam is plentiful. He hired indigenous people to exploit, then put bamboo, bamboo to dry in 20 days will be naturally dry yellow, use an outer layer polishing machine to clean dust, then put into a cutter. each paragraph; length of straws depends on each order, from 15 - 25cm; then proceed to sharpen the ends of the straws so they are not sharp.

After finishing the stages, the product is boiled (with salt for about 1 hour), drained and put into the dryer for 1 hour at a temperature of 120 degrees C. After drying, the product is packaged . To create new products for Vietnamese products, Mr. Mao also invested in the smallest sophisticated engraving machine on the straw at the request of customers.

Nguyen Van Mao with his bamboo straws at the cafe. Photo: Bich Hue - VNA

So far, no business has exported bamboo straws to Europe so when bringing products to foreign countries, Mr. Mao has a lot of difficulties. At the time of offering, he has to ask his brothers and friends to live and work abroad to bring the product to each store. The first order he received was 1,000 - 2,000 units in Hungary.

After many efforts, this bamboo straw has been certified to ensure food hygiene and safety of Germany, so it is easily accepted in European countries. Many foreign customers have come to Vietnam, visit our factory to visit the production process and place orders for millions of products.

According to Mr. Mao, each bamboo cluster has many trees but not all trees can make straws because there are old trees, young trees, young trees and bamboo shoots. When cutting, choose the trees that no longer use chalk because there will be no crumbs, no cracks and wrinkles. After 4 months, the pollen trees become old trees, the bamboo shoots become pollen trees as a cycle, so they can be exploited and used many times without affecting the environment.

Currently, bamboo straws on the market in Vietnam are gradually replacing the habit of using plastic straws. Bamboo straws brand Mao Meo has also been present in beverage shops, cafes, milk tea shops in many provinces and cities across the country. Although the product price is higher than plastic straws, but with high reusability, beautiful colors and environmentally friendly, this straw has gradually come closer to Vietnamese consumers.

Next time, Mr. Mao continues with the idea of producing environmentally friendly products made from bamboo. Straws are only a very small part of Mr. Mao's idea of using materials from bamboo to create products with more applicability and diversity.

"Spoons, spoons, plastic bowls and cups can all be replaced with bamboo and Mao will produce those products to replace disposable plastic items," Mr. Mao said. From that idea, he has been setting up a Bamboo Planting Project to be able to source enough raw materials for many years and combine with mechanical workshops to make spoon- and spoon-making machines.

Drunk with bold business ideas, in his spare time, Mr. Nguyen Van Mao was still drunk with bamboo flutes. Passion for music helps Mão get relaxed in the soul, rebalancing life.

 Bamboo straws brand Mao Meo has been present in beverage shops, cafes, milk tea shops in provinces and cities across the country. Photo: Bich Hue - VNA

In 2017, the Center for Research, Conservation and Promotion of Vietnamese Ethnic Culture awarded the title of Artist Nguyen Van Mao for the cause of preserving and promoting the Vietnamese national culture; Honoring the Golden Hand Wisdom Program - Proud of Vietnamese brands and the certificate of National Artist Nguyen Van Mao, traditional musical instrument manufacturing industry.

Now, in parallel with the production of exported bamboo straws, Mr. Nguyen Van Mao still does not stop manufacturing and trading musical instruments. Meo Meo bamboo flute products not only conquer domestic customers but also are protected with intellectual property rights and available in many countries around the world.

“Products related to the environment, the first purpose is not money, but that product must reach everyone. Young people who want to start a business need to determine what they want to do. In the immediate future do not put profits on the top because this factor prevents us from implementing the idea. Must be done with enthusiasm first and benefit everyone ", Mr. Nguyen Van Mao reminded.