Bac Ninh: Turning OCOP products into tourism "ambassadors"

BAC NINH - Bac Ninh - a land famous for its natural landscapes and poetic landscapes, leaving a deep impression on tourists with its products imbued with local identity. In recent years, the province has always focused on developing the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program, turning these typical products into "ambassadors" to promote tourism and attract tourists.

“Giving wings” to OCOP products

Currently, the province has 773 OCOP products, including 1 5-star product (Luc Ngan Hong Xuan litchi), 114 4-star products, and 658 3-star products. Bac Ninh's OCOP products are not simply agricultural products or local specialties, but also contain cultural, historical values and the quintessence of Kinh Bac land. The development of standard agricultural products associated with tourism contributes to maximizing investment resources in developing the smokeless industry.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Van Thinh attended the livestream selling OCOP products in Phuc Hoa commune. Photo: Mai Toan.

The province's OCOP products are very rich and diverse, from food, drinks to souvenirs, interiors, decorations and even tourism products. Typical examples include: Luc Ngan litchi, An Binh honey, Tay Yen Tu fermented wine, grapefruit tea with ginger and star anise essential oil, Dong Ho folk paintings, Bau Tien eco-tourism site... reflecting the richness of nature, while also carrying the ingenuity and sophistication of local people. A cup of "Golden Flower Tea" with a gentle aroma, a sweet "Dong Phu Na" fruit, or the strong aroma of "Dai De Wine", the unique painting of "Dong Ho folk wood carvings"... are gifts with the flavor of the homeland, the mark of a land rich in identity. These products are used by sectors, localities, especially provincial leaders as gifts when welcoming, wishing a happy new year, congratulating businesses, domestic and international delegations.

Comrade Mai Son, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shared that giving businesses typical OCOP products of the locality not only shows the sincere and hospitable feelings of the provincial leaders, but also respects the efforts of the people, businesses, and cooperatives who have made efforts to turn Bac Ninh agricultural products into high-quality commodities, bringing income to producers and contributing to the state budget. This is also a meaningful message to domestic and international friends to spread the image of a traditional, dynamic and friendly land.

When receiving gifts from the province, representatives of delegations, individuals and businesses were delighted and surprised that Bac Ninh has so many unique and long-standing agricultural products and handicrafts. On the occasion of the recent New Year 2025, Mr. Jaya Ratnam - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Singapore to Vietnam expressed his deep impression and expectation that Bac Ninh's OCOP products will reach further and be exported more to the international market.

Linking tourism development with the OCOP program

Linking tourism development with the OCOP program is becoming an important strategy, helping Bac Ninh become more and more attractive to tourists. Exploiting the potential of natural landscapes, historical and cultural relics, cultural identity and typical products helps the province attract a large number of domestic and foreign tourists, creating a lever for local economic development. One of the typical activities is tours to experience the ripe lychee season.

Foreign tourists experience lychee picking in Chu ward.

For example, this year, Tru Huu Tourism Trade Cooperative (Chu Ward) organized a tour to explore the lychee region and Thu Duong traditional craft village (specializing in producing Chu rice noodles) for nearly 60 tourists from Japan and France. In addition, other tourism enterprises and cooperatives in the area and Hanoi also cooperated and organized to welcome thousands of tourists from provinces and cities: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Ho Chi Minh City... to experience lychee picking and have fun. Tourists pick lychees themselves, enjoy the sweet fruit right in the garden, and immerse themselves in the space of fruit trees.

Along with the sweet fruit area, the province's tourist attractions, cultural works such as: Kinh Duong Vuong Temple, Dong Ho Painting Village (Thuan Thanh Ward), Phat Tich Pagoda (Tien Du Commune), Do Temple (Tu Son Ward), Vinh Nghiem Pagoda (Tan An Ward), Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Song Theater (Kinh Bac Ward), Lim Festival (Tien Du Commune), Sloong Hao Singing Festival (Tan Son Commune), especially Tay Yen Tu Spring Festival (Tay Yen Tu Commune) ... have attracted tens of thousands of tourists to visit and enjoy art programs. The vineyards, oranges, grapefruits, custard apples, longans and eco-tourism spots spread throughout the localities in the province, not only bring income to the people, but also create an ideal space for those who want to immerse themselves in nature.

In parallel with developing on-site tourism, Bac Giang and Bac Ninh provinces (formerly) have promoted OCOP products at major domestic and international events such as: VITM Tourism Fair - Hanoi, Vietnam - China International Trade and Tourism Fair; Trade and OCOP Products Fair - Bac Ninh 2024... These are all opportunities for the province's OCOP products to reach a larger market. At festivals such as: Xuong Giang Festival, Tay Yen Tu Festival, Lim Festival, Ba Chua Kho Temple Festival, there are booths displaying and selling OCOP products. This, in addition to demonstrating the achievements of the province's agricultural economy, processing, and production of handicrafts and fine arts, is also an opportunity to promote and invite businesses to link production and consumption of products; attract investment and tourists.

Not just simply specialty products, Bac Ninh's OCOP products are increasingly becoming a bridge, connecting tourists with the traditional cultural land. Each product not only has its own flavor but also a story, opening up an interesting journey of discovery. Mr. Luu Van Khai, Head of the Department of Economic Cooperation and Rural Development of Bac Ninh, said that in the near future, the unit will develop a program and sign a cooperation agreement with the Bac Ninh Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center on promoting tourism development associated with OCOP products. Taking tourism activities as a factor to consume OCOP products; making OCOP products "ambassadors" to promote tourism and attract tourists.

OCOP product development activities contribute to enhancing the value of local brands, while creating a unique attraction, making Bac Ninh an attractive destination - a place where every visitor leaves with unforgettable memories. With new orientations and achievements, Bac Ninh is creating many new opportunities for tourism development models combining agricultural and rural production, contributing to the journey of integration and sustainable development.

 

Dai La

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/bac-ninh-dua-san-pham-ocop-thanh-dai-su-du-lich-postid424529.bbg