Who put eggplant, sauce 'attack' US market

Kwok Hung Tong became one of the first business back American market with products of Vietnam.

Settled in America in 1979, 10 years later, Mr. Guo Hung Tong returned to Vietnam to visit relatives. But then he discovered the economic potential, and he became one of the first entrepreneur turned US market with products of Vietnam.

Initially he only plays a mediating role, imported from Thailand, Singapore and exported to the US. But the US found that Vietnamese people are remembered, so crave the taste hometown, he decided to produce his own.

With incalculable difficulties at first when things almost 0. Those are just numbers in 1989, when the country began to open up, to make their products, he had to enter each of the bottles , jars, tin cans each, each tube of glue ... for domestic goods then not meet export requirements.

In addition, head of psychology at the Vietnamese in America are not confident in goods produced in Vietnam, made him many times discouraged. There have been times when he had to move factories to Thailand to be able to export to the US.

With determination, our self-esteem, gradually products such as fish sauce, eggplant, soy sauce or brand Lady Vietnam Que Huong Minh Hai's company, which he founded has been the key.

In 2000, he moved the factory to the Cu (HCMC). To date, the company has approximately 900 Vietnamese specialties such as cake, prawn crackers, noodles, rice noodles ... Product of Minh Hai has been present in many of the supermarkets in the US and Vietnam both wholesaler Costco system here. He said: "I like to serve the needs of everyday life. And only Vietnam who understand the cuisine of Vietnam".

Mr. Tong candidly: "At first I did for the benefit itself, creating jobs for relatives and friends, but gradually, along with the expansion of production, the company has created jobs for very many local workers ".

He said the brand has created difficult, but keep that brand even harder. Not possible because the immediate benefits, work to grab that product quality go down. The important thing is to protect the brand of Vietnam on American soil line.

When asked about investing in Vietnam, he bare the situation: "In the beginning of the difficulties also rather certain. But policy is increasingly more open. It was not unusual to share with you overseas when the Vietnam investment is be patient, and then will see the investment environment in Vietnam is great. And you shall go to go, to see his emotional warmth of the people, "he explained.