From Farm Waste to Vegan Cosmetics
The story of a young entrepreneur in Lam Dong has developed a vegan cosmetics brand, drawing growing attention from the startup community.
Doan Thi Kieu Van, a chemical engineering graduate, left a lucrative position at a foreign pharmaceutical company to launch a cosmetics business in Binh Thuan Ward, turning discarded dragon fruit peels into skincare ingredients.
According to her, years of working with Japanese partners exposed her to the effective utilization of agricultural by- products. Her initial experiments using dragon fruit flesh failed due to its high sugar content, which caused rapid fermentation. She then shifted her focus to the peel, discovering it to be a “gem” of nutrients with strong potential for cosmetic applications.
In 2021, working from a permanent laboratory, Kieu Van began collecting dragon fruit peels from local processing facilities to extract bioactive compounds. After exhaustive trials - fine - turning temperature, grinding techniques, and extraction ratios, she successfully launched her debut product, a nutrient-rich facial mask from dragon fruit peel, laying the foundation for the vegan cosmetics brand BIO-Q.
Enhancing the Value of Dragon Fruit
With the dual goal of enhancing local agricultural value and meeting the skincare needs of Asian women, BIO-Q has gradually expanded its product range while maintaining stable, mid-range pricing. Consumers have responded positively, noting improvements in skin brightness, moisture retention, reduced redness, and skin recovery.
Following a standout performance at the “Dan Seu Dat Sen Hong” Startup Incubation Contest in 2023, BIO-Q garnered a series of prestigious awards including First Prize at the Women’s Creative Startup and Green Transition Competition 2024, First Prize at the Binh Thuan Innovation Startup Competition 2024, and Second Prize at the National Startup Project Development Program 2025.
Beyond product innovation, Kieu Van’s startup model delivers a tangible social footprint. By upcycling approximately two tons of dragon fruit peels each month, the company not only reduces agricultural waste but also provides stable employment for six local workers, most of whom are women.
Looking ahead, Kieu Van plans to research additional products derived from other natural ingredients, with ambitions to reach international markets. “I want to prove that Vietnamese agricultural by-products can be transformed into high-quality, environmentally friendly beauty products suitable for Asian skin,” she said.
Phan Thi Vi Van, Vice Chairwoman of the Lam Dong Women’s Union shared
"Kieu Van represents a new generation of women entrepreneurs—dynamic, resilient, and action-oriented—whose ventures not only generate economic value but also elevate local products and inspire innovation within the community."