In late autumn, on the lush green slopes of Moc Chau agricultural town (Son La province), herds of dairy cows graze peacefully, creating a rare picture of abundance in the highlands. This land, once known only for corn, cassava, and small-scale livestock farming, has now become the "dairy capital" of northern Vietnam.

Farmers adapt to the modern market.

Mr. Lo Van Hop, a Thai ethnic minority resident of Tan Lap commune, recounts that his family used to rely solely on a few corn fields for their livelihood, resulting in unstable income and a constant struggle to make ends meet. In 2016, encouraged by the cooperative, he borrowed capital to buy 12 dairy cows. Initially, he was hesitant, but thanks to the support of technical staff and the guaranteed purchase of his products by a business, he gradually felt more secure. “Nearly 10 years later, the herd has grown to nearly 30 cows, producing over 200 tons of milk annually, bringing in an income of about 800 million VND. Poverty no longer haunts us.”

According to statistics, Son La province currently has over 30,000 dairy cows, producing more than 120,000 tons of milk annually, accounting for nearly 40% of the country's total milk production. The estimated value of dairy production is trillions of VND each year. Moc Chau alone has about 600 dairy farming households, with average incomes many times higher than those from growing corn or upland rice. The role of leading enterprises like Vinamilk and TH True Milk is particularly important. They invest in modern processing plants, develop raw material areas, transfer technology, provide loan support, and offer technical training to farmers. As a result, Moc Chau milk not only meets domestic demand but also aims for export.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Duong, Chairman of the Vietnam Livestock Association, commented that Moc Chau dairy farming is a prime example of commercial agriculture in mountainous areas. People are no longer producing for self-sufficiency but have joined a closed value chain, enjoying stable incomes and being connected to modern markets.

The dairy ecosystem also promotes many related services such as veterinary care, transportation, feed processing, organic fertilizer production, trade, and tourism. Many farms have added agritourism services, allowing visitors to experience milking, tour the barns, and enjoy fresh produce on-site, thereby increasing product value and creating additional livelihoods in the locality. This is considered a sustainable way to help people escape poverty and transform dairy farming into a driving force for green economic development in mountainous areas.

Waiting for more "new Mộc Châu" destinations.

However, the dairy industry in mountainous regions still faces many challenges. Raising costs remain high, as most concentrated feed must be imported from lowlands or other sources, driving up production costs. The rapid increase in the cattle population also poses a risk of disease outbreaks, especially given that many households' barns do not meet biosecurity standards. The market for dairy products is heavily reliant on a few large businesses, while a distinct regional brand has yet to be established. Most notably, access to loans remains a major obstacle: farmers need significant investment in barns and breeding stock to raise dairy cows, but access to credit is limited.

For sustainable development, the dairy industry in mountainous regions needs to be linked to a circular economy, utilizing manure for organic fertilizers, biogas, or renewable energy, while encouraging green agricultural models that reduce emissions. Local authorities also need to plan feed sourcing areas and encourage businesses to invest in processed products such as yogurt, cheese, or butter to increase value. Developing regional brands, such as "Moc Chau Milk" or "Son La Milk," will create a competitive advantage against imported milk, while combining dairy farming with agricultural tourism can create synergistic value.

Not only Son La, but many other provinces such as Tuyen Quang, Lang Son, and Cao Bang are also replicating this model, with the ambition of creating more "new Moc Chaus". If the support of businesses and favorable policies are effectively utilized, dairy farming can completely become a distinctive economic sector for the entire Northern Midlands and mountainous region - a "locomotive of agricultural economy" that both increases people's income and promotes green and sustainable development.

From barren corn and cassava fields, dairy farming has opened up new livelihoods with incomes 5-7 times higher than corn cultivation. A household raising an average of 15-20 cows can achieve revenue of 500-700 million VND per year, while also contributing to job creation for approximately 5,000 workers in Son La, of which over 60% are women and young people.