Mr. Ly Quay Sieu
Ly Quay Sieu was born on 1977, in Ta Phin village where is very well known for several traditional remedies of herb. Therefore, Ly fully recognized the worthy potential of Dao’s traditional herbs as well as the risks may lead to the disappearance of one of the most valuable medicine resources in the local area. In order to broadcast the traditional remedy to social community and offer an opportunity for local people to increase their income, Ly Quay Sieu decided to invest and construct a convenient herbal bathroom system for serving tourists. This decision was opposed by many people in the first place because the project requires a considerable investment while most of local household still belong in poor group. However, Ly Sieu Quay determined to fulfill his own dream of escaping poverty by operating traditional herbal bathing service.       

The plan for establishing Red Dao co-operative which provides herbal bathing service was implemented step by step. First of all, Ly Sieu Quay gathered his relatives and acquaintances in order to discuss about the opportunity to earn profit by providing ancestral medicinal bathing. Then, Ly purchased all building material needed for the infrastructure such as factory or large-sized pot. After the infrastructure was ready, each family was assigned to take responsible for each phase of the business operation depend on their situation. For example, the young and healthy people were responsible for gathering medicinal herbs in the forest whereas the old mainly boil herbal water for the customer. Beside, Ly Sieu Quay himself took charge of expand the brand of Ta Phin herbal bathing as well as seeks for the customer to use the service.            

According to Ly, the service has become a familiar brand and received more and more customers. The important thing is this business could brings to members of Ta Phin co-operative an additional income without working hard in comparison with traditional farming work. Therefore, the living condition of local people has been enhanced gradually. In 2013 and 2014, the revenue of the co-operative was about 80 million of Vietnamese Dong per year. It brings the monthly earnings of 4 million Vietnamese Dong directly to 5 Dao people. In addition, each family who is responsible for providing material such as herbs, medicinal plants or wood, also receive an average income of from 7 million of Vietnamese Dong to 12 million of Vietnamese Dong per year.         

However, according to Ly Quay Sieu, the existing business still cannot be seen as a professional and methodical system. Therefore, in the near future, Ly plan to expand his business in order to attract more customers by providing accommodation and food service. Moreover, the Ta Phin co-operative was successful in producing dried herbs and bottled medicinal water which can be used for herbal bath at home. These products not only serve for the tourist but also step by step penetrate into other markets such as Hanoi and neighbor provinces. 

The herbal bath service of Ta Phin co-operative receives about 20 or 30 customers per day. This figure may increases to 50 or 100 customers in peak season such as holiday or summer. Based on current achievement, the Ta Phin business model is expected to expand and grow strongly as well as control the market. It not only helps to protect and maintain the local traditional cultural but also create a specific characteristic for the economy of Sa Pa district in general and for the economy of Ta Phin village in particular.    

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