Honey Community

Maren and Sarah worked with Dinh Quyet Tam of the Vietnam Beekeepers Association and exporter DakHoney to help the film crew of the National Honey Board with their Celebrating Beekeeping video series.

Mr. Ho, a Tay from the Daklak province of central Vietnam, has been involved in beekeeping for more than ten years, a family trade he inherited from his father. Since the time he was a child, his father has taught him not only beekeeping techniques, but also the deep cultural values of the trade, which is an important part of his family’s long-standing tradition. Beekeeping for Mr. Ho is not only a way to earn a living, but also a way for him to preserve and continue his family's tradition.

Starting in 1993, Federico Romero was inspired to become a beekeeper thanks to his uncle. He says beekeeping takes a lot of effort and there are many challenges to overcome, including high costs of supplies, maintaining vehicles, supporting employees, and the effects of climate change. One lesson Federico has learned from working with bees is to never give up in the face of adversity. He would like field owners to know the importance of having beehives in their fields and hopes that things can change to protect the bees. Federico believes that beekeepers around the world share passion for the hive and solidarity between beekeepers. "Beekeepers around the world speak the same language."

Luciano Terrile was inspired by his father to become a beekeeper. He is motivated to promote health in his bees. He has learned from his bees the importance of organization in the hive and respecting the organization of each bee. There are many challenges that beekeepers face, including disease and climate, but Luciano believes you can overcome challenges by always being aware of the hive.  In Argentina, beekeeping is very artisanal work and you must be very knowledgeable to keep the bees healthy and produce quality honey. Luciano says beekeeping is a way of life and above all things, you should like that it is a physical activity. He believes this is something that beekeepers around the world share.

Luong Thi Tuyet comes from the northern mountains of Vietnam. Her family initially came to the Central Highlands to find work as hired laborers. However, when they became acquainted with beekeeping, they realized it was an opportunity to support the environment and their community.

Mikhailo Sosidko is a passionate beekeeper who inherited the craft from his father. Over the years, he has turned  beekeeping into a lifelong dedication and a personal hobby. Mikhailo’s deep respect for nature and his innovative approach to beekeeping have shaped his journey, and his insights offer a valuable perspective on the challenges and rewards of working with bees.

“Beekeeping was a gift from my father... Now, it is not just a business, it is my passion and way of life. Every day, the bees remind me why I started, and I am constantly motivated to give them the care they deserve. I think bees are extraordinary – their lives follow a precise, natural rhythm. Everything they produce is pure, natural, and full of healing power.”

Nguyen Hoai An used to farm coffee and pepper but decided to switch to beekeeping in 2002. While looking for a new direction, he remembered honeybees that always appeared around their coffee flower garden during the blooming season. Inspired by nature, he and his wife decided to embrace beekeeping. Beekeeping brought their family far more than just financial benefits: it provided them spiritual value.

Serhiy Petrovskyi is an independent beekeeper from Polonne village. With over 20 years of experience, Serhiy has built a thriving beekeeping practice based on a deep respect for nature and the hard work of his bees. His passion for honey production and sustainable beekeeping practices makes his products stand out for their quality and purity.

Konstantyn Voitalyuk started beekeeping in 2017 after discovering the potential for income from honey production. His passion for beekeeping has grown as he learned the importance of consistency and persistence in this challenging industry. Konstantyn continues to adapt and thrive in an environment with fluctuating market prices, focusing on the long-term benefits of beekeeping.

Yosyp Kozlovskyi took up beekeeping after his grandfather’s passing, carrying on the family tradition. His deep love for honey and the joy of working with bees have driven him to embrace the challenges of this demanding profession. Yosyp is determined to keep improving and share the benefits of high-quality Ukrainian honey with the world.

Vu Tien Giap started beekeeping in 1992. His uncles who kept honeybees near his house inspired him and gave him a passion for beekeeping. “Seeing honeybees diligently working and creating drops of sweet honey filled me with excitement and a desire to learn.” He has learned valuable lessons from honeybees about sacrifice and cooperation in the hive.

Born and raised in a rural area on the outskirts of Hanoi, my parents were dedicated farmers. I had the opportunity to see beekeeping farms near my home. Through observation, I found honeybees truly fascinating. After graduating high school, I enrolled in a beekeeping course at the Vietnam Bee Research and Development Center.

I was born in Phu Tho province, where there's a long tradition of beekeeping. As a child, I was captivated the first time I saw golden honey and tasted its sharp sweetness with a lingering fragrance. I learned from a beekeeper that the small bees diligently flew in and out of their hives from dawn to dusk, gathering nectar from surrounding flowers to make honey. The sweetness of honey, the hardworking bees, the beekeepers’ skillful care, and their smiles during harvest inspired me to choose beekeeping as my profession, both to fuel my passion and to make a living.