Ngo Huynh Trang, 44, left her city job and returned to Ca Mau in southern Vietnam. Her early businesses failed, and a crocodile farm lost her about 1 billion dong. But she did not give up. Three years ago, she opened Ca Mau Eco on six hectares of family forest land. She kept most of the trees and used very little concrete.
Visitors paddle small boats, catch fish, and listen to folk stories and music. The eco-tourism site is free to enter, so poorer families can visit too. Trang says the business now earns about 10 billion dong a year. Next, she plans a country market where neighbors can sell local food.