Bamboo PodCast 🎙️ Dschung Nguyen, BambooVision, Vietnam

🎋 ThinkBamboo PodCast : Se.1, Ep.1 -- Dschung Nguyen, BambooVision & Bamboo Innovation Vietnam | https://www.thinkbamboo.org/2023/03/23/dschung-nguyen-ceo-of-bamboovision-in-vietnam/

[00:00] Creating a bamboo brand in Vietnam
[05:44] Helping startups develop bamboo products with low cost
[10:35] Challenges of working with bamboo in a market dominated by China
[15:28] Bamboo is a complex plant with various uses and lifespans.
[20:33] Bamboo farming requires focus on different species and their cycles
[25:00] Vietnam's forest management system and bamboo harvesting
[29:38] Creating a market for bamboo in Vietnam
[34:18] Efficiency in bamboo plantation requires creating a value chain

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Detailed Summary for [#1 ThinkBamboo PodCast : Dschung Nguyen, CEO of BambooVision In Vietnam](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnqSFwzWrMI)

[00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnqSFwzWrMI&t=0) Creating a bamboo brand in Vietnam
- Started investing in bamboo in 2018
- Created B bamboo brand, designed website, packaging, and produced bamboo straws

[05:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnqSFwzWrMI&t=344) Helping startups develop bamboo products with low cost
- Developing products with startups from idea to blueprint and prototype
- Charging only a small fee for blueprint conversation and product development

[10:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnqSFwzWrMI&t=635) Challenges of working with bamboo in a market dominated by China
- Margins need to be high to make the business feasible due to shipping costs and Amazon fees
- Importing bamboo seeds or plants is tricky and depends on the purpose of the bamboo

[15:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnqSFwzWrMI&t=928) Bamboo is a complex plant with various uses and lifespans.
- Bamboo is difficult to grow and takes 6-7 years to mature.
- Vietnamese bamboo has a lifespan of around 150 years and flowers before dying.

[20:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnqSFwzWrMI&t=1233) Bamboo farming requires focus on different species and their cycles to avoid monoculture and risk.
- Harvesting depends on the species, with giant bamboo taking 6-7 years to mature.
- Starting a bamboo business is difficult due to high interest rates and slow profits.

[25:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnqSFwzWrMI&t=1500) Vietnam's forest management system and bamboo harvesting
- Vietnam's government-owned companies manage forest land and lease it to individuals for a period of time.
- Bamboo harvesting is allowed every 5 years, with 70% of the land required to be planted with bamboo and the rest for personal use.

[29:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnqSFwzWrMI&t=1778) Creating a market for bamboo in Vietnam
- Working with clients to develop products and grow customer base
- Challenges in managing and educating people on bamboo forest management

[34:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnqSFwzWrMI&t=2058) Efficiency in bamboo plantation requires creating a value chain
- Working with local authorities and manufacturers to optimize quality control and supply chain
- Developing a 21st century business process to shape partners for maximum impact