From veggie vendor to tourism developer
Having a goal in life and a clear business plan can lead to success, according to a young tourism developer and service provider in Vientiane province

"A tough life and poverty were the special medicines behind my achievements in providing a better life for my family today,” says Vanna Sengphachanh, who built up a successful venture providing leisure activities for tourists despite not having any formal business education.
Starting out as a vegetable and fish vendor in his teens, Mr Vanna supplemented his income by joining a local music group that performed at festivals and weddings. He then branched out into running a restaurant and is now creating facilities for tourists.
One of six children born to a rice farming couple in Meuangfeuang district without any business background, Mr Vanna, 39, never stopped learning from his mistakes after graduating from the local upper secondary school in the 1990s.
He says he became a vegetable and fish vendor because he “loved the business”. He discontinued his education so he could earn money to support

Mr Vanna Sengphachan, a tourism developer and service provider by the Nam Lik river in Meuangfeuang district, Vientiane province.

his family, especially the education of his younger siblings.
Mr Vanna also joined a local group, known as an electron band, to perform at festivals and marriages. “I made a living from selling vegetables and musical performances, where I was the band’s announcer – and that was my job,” he said with a smile.
Things were tough as he was the oldest in the family. “At that time, I bought vegetables and fish from farmers to sell in the district. Sometimes I sent the vegetables and fish to a market in Vientiane. Even though I did not make a big profit, the business was enough to sustain my family,” he said.
“Thanks to my business skills, I was able to improve my family’s status and supported my brothers and sisters, until they obtained university degrees and got good jobs.”
After working with his band and selling vegetables for several years, he saved enough money to open a small restaurant with only a few tables in 2006. By 2014, he had increased the number of tables to about 100.
“This helped me earn much more money and I built a new house for my parents,” he said.
Though his restaurant is quite successful, Mr Vanna says he focused on continuous improvements in the services he provided so that his business would keep growing.
He has now received official permission to develop tourist attractions by the Nam Lik river on Don Kang island.
“So I’ve now become the first tourism developer in my small town and this project is the right business track for me because tourism will boom in the years to come,” he said.
“The new challenge is to be a developer and service provider. My new task started a few years ago after I realised that my goal was to provide tourism and food services,” he added.
The lack of any formal business education would be a tough challenge for many others but Mr Vanna has already formed plans to gradually grow his business.
He admits that running a business without any professional training is a challenge but believes that the best business lessons are not learnt only in classrooms because practical experience can be equally important.
“I don’t have any business background but I love to do any kind of business,” he says. “People and the environment can be great teachers if we are willing to learn and share experiences with successful businesspeople, and use the practical experience gained through the exchange of knowledge and skills.”
“High marks at school are not always a guarantee of success in business. Most importantly, there is no school that teaches people how to be rich. Instead, specific targets, practical action and tolerance can be essential elements for future achievements.”
Currently, Mr Vanna is conducting a survey of potential tourism sites in the district in order to develop untapped natural spots. Over the past two years, Mr Vanna has invested 400 to 500 million kip to develop leisure activities on the Nam Lik river, hoping to attract more domestic and foreign tourists.
The project is designed to be community-based and he has a concession period of 15 years. He is hoping more people will avail of his services during the upcoming celebration of the International Women’s Day, especially people who are looking for a place to relax with their families and loved ones.
This small town is located about 130km from Vientiane and visitors can easily reach it by car as it is only 30km from Road No. 13 North. About seven to eight guesthouses are available in the town centre and there is a homestay by the river that can accommodate a limited number of visitors.

By Bounfaeng Phaymanivong
(Latest Update March 3, 2018)