MY THO , Vietnam, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Across Vietnam, a generation of digitally fluent farmers is embracing technology to bring fresh life to rural communities. Among the tools reshaping their fields are agricultural drones developed by XAG, which help save labor, boost yields, and create promising careers for young people returning home.
One such returnee is 30-year-old Lưu Văn Äoàn. Slim and tan from years of outdoor work, Äoàn starts his day at 3 a.m., when the village lies silent in darkness. Clad in his company's green shirt, he readies the XAG P150 agricultural drone for a long day ahead. From early morning to late afternoon, Äoàn travels throughout Tiá»n Giang province, providing crop protection services to local farmers, including his own rice paddies.
"I used to work at a factory far from home, barely earning enough and missing my family," he recalls. When his brother introduced him to agricultural drones, Äoàn immediately saw their potential and began learning. "I found my passion for technology. Soon I was piloting drones every day," he says. After five years in the field, Äoàn now earns a living from work he finds far more rewarding and exciting.
His story reflects Vietnam's broader farming challenges. According to analysis from the Vietnamese Elderly Population, the country's farming communities are rapidly aging, with about 7.96 million elderly people living in rural areas. Meanwhile, millions of young Vietnamese have left for city jobs, creating severe labor shortages in agricultural regions.
Äoàn understands why farming has lost its appeal. Traditional farming can be grueling—manual spraying means trudging through rough, muddy fields up to 12 times each season, often with little protection. "Carrying heavy equipment under the hot sun, chemicals burning your skin—sometimes the fields were almost impossible to cross," Äoàn remembers. Now, with just a smartphone and an autonomous drone, he finishes jobs faster and with far less risk. "It's much easier," he says.
For Äoàn, the XAG P150 agricultural drone has been a game-changer. Equipped with a remarkable 70kg payload and route planning using centimeter-accurate RTK positioning, the P150 achieves consistent and even coverage over fields of various shapes and sizes. Unlike manual spraying, which often misses spots or overlaps, the drone delivers thorough application. "When spraying herbicides by hand, weeds sometimes persist," Äoàn notes. "With drones, fields are often completely weed-free."
At first, many farmers were hesitant: "The spray uses too little water—how will the rice grow?" they questioned. But seeing is believing. As the P150, with its 70-liter smart liquid tank, hovers over the paddies, its quad-rotor design generates a downdraft that ensures pesticides coat both sides of the leaves. "You can clearly see that drone spraying makes the rice look healthier," Äoàn says, proud to have convinced the skeptics.
This effectiveness also translates to economic benefits: farmers using Äoàn's drone service have cut their use of plant protection products by 30%. "The savings on pesticides cover what farmers pay for the drone service!" Äoàn proudly shares. These real-world results also echo findings from the Institute of Agricultural Economics in Vietnam, which reports that agricultural drones can cut pesticide use by up to 30% and increase crop yields by as much as 15%.
Even and precise spraying is especially crucial in Vietnam's fast-growing fruit export sector. For crops like durian and jackfruit, strict residue limits are enforced by importers throughout Asia and beyond. With the P150, Äoàn can precisely map areas, set exact dosage rates, and guarantee even coverage—helping farmers maintain access to high-value overseas markets and ensuring their fruit meets tough international standards.
Like many young Vietnamese, Äoàn is part of a new wave: tech-savvy, ambitious, and deeply rooted in their hometowns. "Drones have made a huge difference for us," he says. "As things develop, I hope to expand, add more drones, and help more farmers succeed."
For Äoàn and his peers, the workday still starts before sunrise and ends late—but now, drone technology has changed what's possible in the fields. By adopting these tools, a growing community of drone pilots is solving two problems at once: making farming more efficient and creating tech-driven careers that are drawing young Vietnamese back to the land they've always known.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Vietnam's Young Farmers Fly High with XAG Agricultural Drones
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HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda reveals that Vietnam is becoming an increasingly popular year-end travel choice for families in the region and beyond. Based on searches made between September and November 2025 for stays during December 2025 and January 2026, Agoda recorded a 30% increase in family travel interest to Vietnam compared with the same period the previous year.
Agoda data shows that Vietnam is attracting more international families than ever this winter holiday season. South Koreans take the lead as the top market interested in traveling to Vietnam in December and January, with families from India, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia rounding out the top five. Notably, Agoda reported that Indian families showcased the highest growth in travel interest to Vietnam during this period, with a 186% increase in searches. Malaysians also, are expressing strong growth in interest, with a 74% increase in searches, highlighting Vietnam's appeal as a family destination in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Families are choosing Vietnam for its storied culture and cuisine, diverse landscapes, and abundance of family-friendly resorts and attractions.
Phu Quoc Island leads as the most sought-after destination among international family travelers with a 47% increase in searches, popular for its sandy beaches, calm waters, and nature parks ideal for multi-generation vacations. Da Nang follows with 42% growth in travel interest, noted for its beaches, soft adventure activities, and access to Ba Na Hills theme park. Nha Trang comes in third place, remaining a favorite for its long coastline, family-oriented resorts, and island experiences. In fourth place, Ho Chi Minh City appeals with its vibrant food scene, entertainment complexes, and day trips to the Mekong Delta. In the north, Hanoi continues to draw families with its cultural landmarks, museums, and festive atmosphere, rounding out the top five most family-friendly year-end destinations in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, although Vietnamese families traditionally travel less internationally at the end of the year – typically preferring to wait for the Lunar New Year - China is becoming a noticeable exception. Among the top 20 outbound destinations preferred by Vietnamese families during the December-January period, searches for Shanghai increased 58%, while Beijing increased 59%. This shift is supported by the launch of new direct routes between Hanoi and selected Chinese cities earlier this year, making end-of-year overseas trips more accessible than ever.
Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director at Agoda, said: "It is wonderful to see Vietnam increasingly chosen as an end-of-year holiday destination for families from across Asia and beyond. Agoda's data shows that travelers are recognizing Vietnam's family-friendly appeal, which further strengthen its position on the global travel map. As more families plan their festive-season or year-end getaways, we are delighted to support them through Agoda's simple, intuitive platform and our wide range of stays, flights, and activities."
With over 6 million properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities, all bookable in one seamless itinerary, Agoda helps families plan memorable year-end holidays, whether they choose a peaceful beach break, a cultural city escape, or an international exploration to mark the close of the year.
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda reveals that Vietnam is becoming an increasingly popular year-end travel choice for families in the region and beyond. Based on searches made between September and November 2025 for stays during December 2025 and January 2026, Agoda recorded a 30% increase in family travel interest to Vietnam compared with the same period the previous year.
Agoda data shows that Vietnam is attracting more international families than ever this winter holiday season. South Koreans take the lead as the top market interested in traveling to Vietnam in December and January, with families from India, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia rounding out the top five. Notably, Agoda reported that Indian families showcased the highest growth in travel interest to Vietnam during this period, with a 186% increase in searches. Malaysians also, are expressing strong growth in interest, with a 74% increase in searches, highlighting Vietnam's appeal as a family destination in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Families are choosing Vietnam for its storied culture and cuisine, diverse landscapes, and abundance of family-friendly resorts and attractions.
Phu Quoc Island leads as the most sought-after destination among international family travelers with a 47% increase in searches, popular for its sandy beaches, calm waters, and nature parks ideal for multi-generation vacations. Da Nang follows with 42% growth in travel interest, noted for its beaches, soft adventure activities, and access to Ba Na Hills theme park. Nha Trang comes in third place, remaining a favorite for its long coastline, family-oriented resorts, and island experiences. In fourth place, Ho Chi Minh City appeals with its vibrant food scene, entertainment complexes, and day trips to the Mekong Delta. In the north, Hanoi continues to draw families with its cultural landmarks, museums, and festive atmosphere, rounding out the top five most family-friendly year-end destinations in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, although Vietnamese families traditionally travel less internationally at the end of the year – typically preferring to wait for the Lunar New Year - China is becoming a noticeable exception. Among the top 20 outbound destinations preferred by Vietnamese families during the December-January period, searches for Shanghai increased 58%, while Beijing increased 59%. This shift is supported by the launch of new direct routes between Hanoi and selected Chinese cities earlier this year, making end-of-year overseas trips more accessible than ever.
Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director at Agoda, said: "It is wonderful to see Vietnam increasingly chosen as an end-of-year holiday destination for families from across Asia and beyond. Agoda's data shows that travelers are recognizing Vietnam's family-friendly appeal, which further strengthen its position on the global travel map. As more families plan their festive-season or year-end getaways, we are delighted to support them through Agoda's simple, intuitive platform and our wide range of stays, flights, and activities."
With over 6 million properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities, all bookable in one seamless itinerary, Agoda helps families plan memorable year-end holidays, whether they choose a peaceful beach break, a cultural city escape, or an international exploration to mark the close of the year.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Agoda Data Shows Vietnam Rising as a Favorite End-of-Year Destination for Families Across Asia and Beyond