• 2025-08-17

The Benefactor

Nhan Huc Quan(*)

 

After the country was reunified, the spring of peace returned to the S-shaped land. The echoes of bombs and flames had faded away, replaced by the lively sounds of bicycles, street vendors, and children’s laughter. People everywhere began rebuilding their lives from the remnants of war.

Hai Duong—a land located between Hanoi and Hai Phong—was not only a stop along National Highway 5 but also well-known for its tradition of valuing education and its rustic specialties such as green bean cakes, Thanh Ha lychees, and Ninh Giang gai cake. After years of hardship, this land gradually revived with new vitality.

In this picture of revival, I always remember the image of a tall, slender man with white hair, tanned skin, and eyes that shone like fire. That was Mr. Doan Van Dat—a “Bo Doi Cu Ho” (Leader Ho’s soldier) who had just left the battlefield, carrying not only glorious memories but also a burning desire to do something meaningful for his homeland.

That year, Mr. Dat had turned 50—an age when many would choose to rest quietly with their children and grandchildren. Yet for him, it was the beginning of a new journey. The question that haunted him was: “What can I do to both make a living and preserve the soul of my homeland?” The answer led him to the craft of making green bean cakes.

Hải Dương green bean cake had already been famous since the 1980s and 90s. It was a humble gift yet rich in Vietnamese flavor. Made from what seemed like simple ingredients—green beans, sugar, and pork fat—it was transformed by skilled hands into a golden, smooth, sweet, and nutty treat that melted in your mouth.

Mr. Dat named his brand Nguyen Huong. “Nguyen” means original and authentic; “Huong” means fragrance—the aroma of green beans, but also the essence of Hai Duong’s land and people. That name carried his passion and pride as the founder.

He often said: “Green bean cake is not just food, but the soul of Hai Duong. Making it is already difficult, but preserving its full flavor is even more challenging.”

At that time, green bean cakes were usually wrapped in transparent nylon bags. While they looked attractive, this method had many drawbacks. When the cakes were still warm, moisture would condense inside the bags, making them damp and moldy. When the cake “released oil,” the natural bean oil seeps out, causing it to lose its shape and look less appealing. The hot, humid summer spoils them quickly, while the dry winter makes them hard and crumbly.

Everyone in the industry knew about these issues, but most accepted them as normal, but not Mr. Dat. He believed that customers paid not just to fill their stomachs, but to feel a sense of satisfaction. A traditional cake, he thought, should taste delicious right down to the very last piece. He wanted each box of cakes to give buyers the feeling of stepping into a village workshop, where the aroma of green beans, the scent of pork fat, and the sound of cake molds blended into an unforgettable memory.  

One early spring day, Mr. Dat came to our office. At that time, the company only produced aluminum foil paper for the tobacco industry. Aluminum foil paper and green bean cakes—two fields that seemed unrelated. But he didn’t come to sign a contract; he came seeking answers to his concerns.

With a warm voice and determined eyes, he asked: How do we prevent the cakes from getting soggy? How can its flavor be preserved year-round? How can we package the cakes to look beautiful while retaining their traditional character? These questions, though seemingly simple, presented an unprecedented challenge for us and opened the door to a new direction.

We immediately began our research. At first, many within the company were skeptical: “Food packaging is different from tobacco. Can aluminum foil paper really work?” But the idea had taken root, and we were determined not to give up.

Dozens of aluminum foil paper samples were tested. Each test checked for moisture resistance, light protection, durability, and aesthetics. Many times, we failed—the cakes were still damp, still lost flavor. But neither Mr. Dat nor we gave up. Finally, a solution emerged: specialized aluminum foil paper for food packaging. This material provided absolute moisture resistance, blocked light, preserved fragrance and fluffiness, and could even be printed, embossed with traditional patterns—retaining the “soul” of the rustic gift.

Thanks to the new packaging, Nguyen Huong green bean cakes no longer feared the weather. They stay fresh in summer and soft in winter. Consumers in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City could savor the same just-baked flavor as if the cakes had come straight from the oven.

From then on, Nguyen Huong cakes spread everywhere—from street vendors and small shops to large supermarkets. Both domestic and international visitors chose them as gifts. Especially during Tet, a box of green bean cakes was not just food, but also a tribute to ancestors and a source of family pride.

Today, New Toyo (Vietnam)’s aluminum foil paper for food packaging is used widely: from green bean cakes, chocolate, chewing gum, and snacks to instant noodles, porridge, pho, and even ice cream. Yet few realize that the pioneer who first inspired this field was none other than Mr. Doan Van Dat.

He not only found a solution for his product but also inadvertently helped us expand our market, diversify our products, and lay the foundation for an entirely new line of business. To us, he was not just a customer, but a benefactor—the one who helped New Toyo (Vietnam) turn our slogan “A Useful and Reliable Preservation” into reality, touching consumers’ hearts through every product.

Thirty years have passed, with hundreds of industries bringing us new demands. Yet the story of Mr. Dat always remains—a guiding light. It reminds me that sometimes, a single sincere question, born from dedication and vision, can change the course of an entire business.

Mr. Dat showed us the power of listening to customers, the power of creativity born from real needs, and the power of preserving tradition.

Business is not merely buying and selling. Business is about creating value—and that value must be great enough for both sides to win: customers satisfied, companies growing, and society benefiting.

The story of Mr. Dat reminds us that gratitude is the foundation, creativity is the driving force, and preserving identity is the mission. Gratitude means remembering those who opened the way—whether intentionally or by chance—for they gave us the opportunity to grow. Creativity means daring to step beyond limits, to find new solutions for old challenges. Preserving identity means ensuring that even as products become modern and convenient, they never lose their soul.

For New Toyo (Vietnam), every piece of packaging is not just a protective layer, but a promise to safeguard the value inside—so that when consumers open it, they receive the full flavor, memory, and trust.

Today, when holding a box of Nguyen Huong green bean cakes, few know that behind its perfect shape and delicious taste was a white-haired man with bright eyes, patiently searching for a solution at the age of 50. Few know that his story not only saved a brand but also opened a new path for an entire packaging industry.

To me, Mr. Doan Van Dat is not only a benefactor of New Toyo (Vietnam). He is living proof of a truth: “A dedicated craftsman will always find a way—and sometimes, that way is powerful enough to change the world around him.”

More than three decades later, whenever I recall the turning points of the company, I still begin with the story of a green bean cake and a benefactor.

 

(*) General Manager of New Toyo (Vietnam) Aluminium Paper Packaging Co., Ltd.

 

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