H Farm: Nature retreat at foot of Ba Na mountain

Combining organic farming, flower gardens and eco-friendly experiences, the farm offers a refreshing way to discover the city’s rural landscapes.

Turning degraded land into a thriving organic farm

Behind its green surroundings is the determination of founder Le Thi Kim Hai, whose journey to transform the land into a thriving farm has taken years of hard work and experimentation.

Kim Hai recalled that the area, once planted with acacia trees, had become severely degraded and infertile.

She spent several years improving the soil and learning about Japanese farming methods and philosophies. “I planted different legumes in rotation to improve the soil’s structure, moisture, mineral content and organic matter,” she said.

After harvesting, the legume plants are composted and returned to the soil as organic fertilizer. The farm also uses microbial fertilizer made from livestock waste collected from nearby households.

Rice straw is purchased and spread around plants and growing beds to suppress weeds. The farm grows peanuts, black sesame, black beans, and mung beans.

These crops are dried and processed into cereal powders or pressed into peanut and sesame oils for regular customers and friends. Hai has also been experimenting with growing “bo chinh” ginseng, whose roots are used in products soaked in honey or rice wine.

Pest and disease management relies primarily on traditional methods, with biological preparations used when necessary.

Severely diseased plants are removed and disposed of to prevent the spread of infection. Livestock farming is also organized around a circular approach, making use of resources and reducing waste.

A garden in bloom

One of H Farm’s highlights is its flower garden, which changes with the seasons. Sunflowers, cosmos, cockscomb, and other blooms bring color to the landscape.

Meanwhile, daisies, typically associated with northern Vietnam’s cooler climate, have also been successfully cultivated at the foot of Ba Na Mountain.

Kim Hai said she was delighted that the flowers had blossomed as hoped after years of effort.

Driven by her love of flowers, she continues to maintain beds of daisies alongside sunflowers, cockscomb and climbing plants such as coral vines. During autumn, the foothills take on a particularly serene atmosphere.

Visitors can stroll through the farm, admire seasonal flowers, explore its gardens, and enjoy the surrounding greenery. The site also features an eco-resort and café, with leafy spaces, orchards and green tea hills adding to its appeal.

For visitors, H Farm offers more than a scenic stop. They can experience aspects of farm life, learn about nature-friendly cultivation, and spend time in a rural setting away from the bustle of the city.

The combination of agricultural production and visitor experiences makes the farm an appealing destination for families, nature lovers and travelers interested in sustainable tourism.

Growing a greener future

By connecting crop cultivation, flower gardens, livestock and tourism services, H Farm is gradually developing a model that links agriculture with eco-tourism.

In the face of increasingly visible climate change, such nature-based farming practices are gaining importance. Reusing agricultural by-products, improving soil health, and making efficient use of natural resources can help reduce environmental impacts while supporting farm livelihoods.

Nguyen Huu Tam, Chairman of the Ba Na Commune Farmers’ Association, praised H Farm’s approach.

He said clean farming methods, the use of natural resources and the conversion of agricultural by-products into organic fertilizer help protect the environment and improve economic efficiency.

He also noted that the farm’s efforts to combine agriculture with sustainable tourism align with the locality’s development direction.

At H Farm, visitors can discover a different side of Da Nang that is shaped by green fields, seasonal flowers, and the quiet rhythms of rural life.

The farm’s story is also a reminder that with patience and care, degraded land can be transformed into a welcoming space where agriculture, nature and tourism grow together.

By THU LE