Ha Tan Tam started his business from scratch 20 years ago. At first a rice transporter and fruit trader, Tam shifted to raising catfish and growing fruit trees. Tam makes a good profit from his family’s 8-ha orchard and 5-ha pond raising catfish for export. He has also created side businesses, generating jobs for hundreds of local people. Tam told VOV: "My success today is due to lessons drawn from my many failures in running my business as well as my willingness to change production models when they no longer worked. For example, when I had difficulties raising catfish, I shifted to the service industry, operating teams of workers to transport aquaculture feed and dredge ponds. Members of my family advised me not to invest much money in such risky businesses but I understood that you can’t succeed if you’re unwilling to take risks."

Ha Tan Tam speaks at a ceremony to honor Vietnam's outstanding farmers in 2015. Photo: dangcongsan.vn

Ha Tan Tam is known for his business success and for his charitable activities. Over the past 5 years, Tam has given approximately 200,000 USD to charity activities. With the simple belief that everyone should share social burdens and help more disadvantaged people, Tam missed no opportunity to help less fortunate people.

Ha Tan Tam was named an outstanding individual in the national patriotic movement for his contributions to his community’s development. Nguyen Van Chung is with the Thoi An communal People’s Committee, O Mon district: "Ha Tan Tam has contributed significantly to local development. He donated money for the construction of many local public works, including roads, bridges, and charity houses. He also helps less fortunate people by giving them necessities like food and clothes. Tam has received several Certificates of Merit from Can Tho City and was awarded the Labor Order, second class, in 2015."

Ha Tan Tam was named one of Vietnam’s 50 most outstanding farmers of 2015.