My 2026 Year

2026 began with plans to launch an online spice business, which led me back to Vietnam in February to attend the VSPA/VIPO International Pepper Conference in Da Nang.

The conference brought together exhibitors, presenters, and industry leaders from around the world. Through presentations, networking events, and direct conversations, I gained a much deeper understanding of the global pepper industry and met many of the key people involved in growing, processing, exporting, and distributing peppercorns.

One of the most memorable parts of the trip was touring farms in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, as well as production facilities where peppercorns are cleaned, processed, graded, and prepared for export. Seeing the full journey from farm to finished product was both educational and inspiring.

It was an amazing experience and an important step in turning the spice business from an idea into something real.