Thuan's giant water bug farm, run by the 42-year-old, is situated amidst a coconut and fruit tree garden in Phuoc Thoi ward, about 20 km from central Can Tho city.

Graduating with a degree in English language in 2007, he worked as a tour guide in Ho Chi Minh City for over 10 years. After Covid-19 impacted his work, he returned to his hometown to start a business and care for his family.

Thuan initially experimented with raising crickets, pigeons, and coconut worms, but these ventures did not yield desired results. He then shifted to giant water bugs, recognizing their high economic value, low susceptibility to disease, and limited commercial farming. In 2023, he purchased 10 nests of giant water bug eggs from Ca Mau for one million dong as a trial. Within a few days, hundreds of bugs hatched. He expanded his setup with additional tanks to separate the broods, maintaining a density of about 10 bugs per square meter. Inside the tanks, he places water hyacinths, aquatic weeds, and dry branches, providing surfaces for the giant water bugs to cling to, shelter, and lay eggs. Currently, on an area of approximately 400 square meters, Thuan operates 14 iron-framed canvas tanks, housing 1,000-1,200 young and commercial giant water bugs, interspersed with pathways 0,4-0,7 meters wide. Adjacent to this area are two tanks dedicated to about 300 breeding bugs, covered with mesh curtains to prevent them from flying out. Opposite the breeding area are three tanks used for food storage.

According to Thuan, giant water bugs undergo five molts, reaching maturity and beginning to reproduce after about 60-70 days of rearing. Male bugs possess a fragrant essential oil sac, which is prized as a seasoning for dishes like banh cuon (steamed rice rolls), bun thang (vermicelli soup), and dipping sauces.

The farm sells approximately 500-600 commercial bugs monthly, primarily to markets in northern Vietnam. Male giant water bugs fetch 40,000-50,000 dong each, about two times the price of females, which sell for 20,000 dong.

The giant water bug is a large insect with a flattened, leaf-shaped body, typically dull yellow or earthy brown. Adults measure about 7-8 cm in length. Each female giant water bug lays approximately two nests of 80-100 eggs monthly. After laying, Thuan collects these nests and transfers them to a dedicated incubation area to increase the hatching rate. Newly hatched giant water bugs are initially only the size of a soybean. About 12 hours later, they are capable of hunting for themselves.

When delivering eggs to customers, Thuan wraps a damp cloth around the branch holding the egg nest to maintain humidity during transit. Each nest sells for about 100,000 dong, equivalent to the price of one pair of breeding giant water bugs.

Beyond selling breeding bugs and eggs, he also repurchases commercial giant water bugs from customers who bought breeding stock from his farm, at a market-agreed price.

The commercial farming area is divided by developmental stage. Young giant water bugs, which have not yet developed wings, are raised in uncovered tanks. Mature bugs, nearing sale, are moved to tanks with mesh covers, sealed at night to prevent them from flying away. The farm currently maintains approximately 400-500 adult bugs and 600-700 juveniles.

To ensure a self-sufficient food supply, Thuan dedicates approximately 150 square meters of his farm to 10 canvas tanks, where he raises small fish, tadpoles, frogs, and crickets as feed for his giant water bug colony.

After harvest, commercial giant water bugs are cleaned, salted, lightly grilled, then vacuum-sealed and frozen. According to Thuan, this method allows the product to be preserved for about one year. With an initial investment of approximately 40 million dong, the model currently generates about 400 million dong in annual profit.

"By maintaining hygienic tanks, ensuring appropriate population density, and providing sufficient food, the giant water bug colony thrives, with no disease outbreaks reported to date," Thuan stated.

An Binh