Final article: Improving quality to help OCOP products reach further markets.

Việt Nam•29/03/2025

(VLO) For Vinh Long's OCOP program to truly become a strong brand, meeting the tastes of domestic and international consumers, improving product quality is a key factor.

Businesses focus on investment.

Recognizing that product quality is key to conquering the market, many OCOP businesses in Vinh Long have proactively innovated technology, improved production processes, and sought different approaches to enhance product value.

Chao Thuan Duyen is a prime example of proactively innovating to create differentiation. While traditional fermented tofu often has a "familiar taste," the company has taken steps to improve and diversify its products.

Thanks to improvements in formula and packaging, Thuan Duyen fermented tofu products are increasingly asserting their position in the market.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Truc Linh, Director of Thuan Duyen Food Co., Ltd., shared: “To gain a foothold, we must create a novel idea for our products. Therefore, I utilize pandan leaves and coconut – readily available ingredients in my hometown – to create pandan leaf fermented tofu and coconut fermented tofu, which are not yet available on the market.” In addition, the company has improved the recipe, reducing salt and adding pre-seasoned ingredients “so that consumers can use them immediately after purchase.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Truc Linh also stated that the company has reinvested in its factory and improved its production process according to HACCP standards. This standard helps businesses comprehensively control potential hazards that may occur during food production and processing.

This facilitated the upgrading of the company's fermented tofu products from 3 to 4 stars. As a result, they significantly expanded their distribution channels, from large supermarkets to e-commerce platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Zalo. Notably, the product has been successfully exported to Canada, Australia, the United States, Switzerland, and Cambodia, boosting sales many times over.

Dong Phat Food Co., Ltd. invests heavily in technology to improve product quality.

In addition to innovating packaging, many OCOP businesses in Vinh Long have heavily invested in technology to improve product quality.

Dong Phat Food Co., Ltd. has invested 30 billion VND to build a modern factory with advanced machinery for processing dried sweet potatoes, a specialty of Binh Tan district. The company also proactively collaborates with cooperatives producing sweet potatoes according to VietGAP standards, helping to ensure a stable supply of raw materials and reduce production costs.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai, Director of Dong Phat Food Co., Ltd., said: “We are constantly improving our machinery and techniques to ensure the best product quality. Packaging designs are also updated to be more attractive and have clear traceability. As a result, 80% of our products are currently exported to demanding markets. Our dried purple sweet potatoes have received OCOP 5-star certification.”

Local support

Vung Liem is a pioneering locality, having opened two OCOP (One Commune One Product) stores at Hieu Phung Market and Vung Liem Market to display and sell more than 35 specialty products that reflect the unique local identity.

Among them, 17 products have received OCOP certification, such as Thanh Cong pork sausage, Tan Dat organic rice, Duc Dat pandan leaf coconut jam, Hoang Trang rice flakes, Hiep Ky sausage, etc.

The production line for Thuan Duyen fermented tofu meets HACCP standards.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Phuoc Thien, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Vung Liem District, the launch of these sales points not only creates an important bridge between producers and consumers, but also contributes to promoting and sustainably boosting the consumption of local specialties.

“Currently, we are researching and providing organizational support and partial funding to ensure the two stores operate effectively. In addition, every month, OCOP participants will meet to evaluate, learn from experience, address shortcomings, and gradually improve product quality in the future,” Mr. Nguyen Van Phuoc Thien added.

In order for OCOP product brands to develop effectively, sustainably, and meet market demands, Vinh Long will continue to strengthen promotion, introduction, and consumption connections through domestic supermarket systems and participate in e-commerce platforms.

According to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh Long province, Lu Quang Ngoi, the province has adopted policies to encourage and support the development of OCOP products, including policies to support the improvement of production and business capacity, management capacity, brand building, market access support, and trade promotion, aiming to quickly transform agricultural products into a strong commodity of the province, contributing to the development of agricultural tourism.

Market research for OCOP products is integrated with industrial promotion programs, rural industrial development programs, small-scale handicraft and village development programs, and trade promotion programs.

Furthermore, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh Long province, Lu Quang Ngoi, also stated that the province will continue to focus on developing products along the value chain based on strengths in raw materials and culture, such as: traditional craft products, potential products associated with advantages in production conditions and local cultural values, so that OCOP products can soon become marketable goods that meet the requirements of consumers inside and outside the province and aim for export.

Text and photos: TAN TAN - NGOC LIEU

Source: https://baovinhlong.vn/kinh-te/202503/san-pham-ocop-vinh-long-mang-dam-ban-sac-dia-phuong-bai-cuoi-nang-cao-chat-luong-de-san-pham-ocop-vuon-xa-d474109/