Dong Nai OCOP transition: [Part 1] 'Upgrading' typical products

Dong Nai OCOP program has made a strong change when the two-level government came into operation, creating momentum for developing typical products and expanding the rural economic space.

Large room to upgrade OCOP products

After the two-tier local government model was consolidated, the OCOP program in Dong Nai has many innovations in the product evaluation and classification mechanism. According to the new regulations, the evaluation and recognition of OCOP products is now only at two levels: the central level is in charge of 5-star products, the provincial level evaluates 3-star and 4-star products.

After the two-level local government organization was consolidated, the OCOP program in Dong Nai has many innovations in the product evaluation and classification mechanism. Photo: Minh Sang.

Notably, the role of commune and ward levels has been clearly enhanced in the new implementation phase. Specifically, commune levels will be directly responsible for criteria such as product origin, use of local labor, product ideas and cultural identity.

Mr. Tran Kien, representative of the OCOP program consulting unit in Dong Nai province, said: "Previously, the role of the commune level was almost absent in evaluating and recognizing OCOP products. However, up to now, the commune and ward levels are an important link, deciding the effectiveness of implementing and replicating the OCOP program in the new period."

According to Mr. Kien, the organization of the two-level local government has officially come into operation, the management staff and staff in charge of the OCOP program at the provincial and communal levels have also changed a lot in terms of position and field of work. Therefore, training and coaching for commune and ward officials needs to be promoted, in order to equip them with knowledge about criteria, assessment processes, and quality records, helping to improve the capacity to support OCOP subjects right from the grassroots level.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dong Nai province, since the beginning of 2025, the province has recognized 60 more OCOP products and extended the validity of 20 expired products, adding 15 new OCOP products, of which 6 are potential products meeting 5-star standards. Thus, the total number of OCOP products in Dong Nai is currently about 496 products, with increasingly improved quality thanks to the strong participation of enterprises and cooperatives in the field of deep processing, traceability and market expansion.

In particular, after the merger, Dong Nai expanded its boundaries and administrative structure according to a two-level government. The OCOP program is seen to have more room for development, especially product groups combining typical products - tourism - indigenous culture, towards a circular economic model, linking agriculture with services and e-commerce.

After the merger, Dong Nai was expanded in terms of boundaries and administrative structure according to a two-level government, and the OCOP program was seen as having more room for development. Photo: Hoang Phuc.

This potential is promoted by the application of technology, the construction of stable raw material areas, the development of closed value chains and the exploitation of the advantages of deeply processed OCOP products, from raw cashew nuts to processed cashew nuts, from local agricultural products to national brands. Localities will step up propaganda, support commune-level officials and support subjects to complete dossiers to ensure that OCOP subjects have enough capacity to register, evaluate and upgrade products in 2025.

Dong Nai aims to expand the quantity and upgrade the OCOP products by 2030, including increasing the proportion of 4-5 star products, building stable raw material areas, expanding trade and export channels, and strengthening the connection between agricultural products, tourism and community culture.

8 new products meet national 5-star OCOP standards

Recently, 8 products of Dong Nai have been recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment as meeting the national 5-star OCOP standard, including: Pure cocoa powder, 3-in-1 cocoa powder of Trong Duc Cacao Company Limited (Phu Hoa commune); Salted egg cheese flavored cashew nuts, original salted roasted cashew nuts, garlic chili flavored cashew nuts, original vegetarian roasted cashew nuts of Nga Bien Import Export Company Limited (Xuan Hoa commune); Phuc Hung Long Essential and Phuc Hung Long Premium health protection foods of Tam Tam An Medicinal Herbs Company Limited (Hung Thinh commune).

Tam Tam An Pharmaceutical Company exploits the value of the native plant xao tam phan to develop health protection products. Photo: Minh Sang.

These are typical products, with systematic investment from local raw material areas, processing procedures to brand building, demonstrating Dong Nai's shift to high-tech agriculture, deep processing, high value, and open markets. At the same time, affirming the position of the locality leading the country in developing typical agricultural products associated with added value.

Mr. Dang Tuong Khanh, Director of Trong Duc Cocoa Company shared: "The company focuses on developing a sustainable chain of links, applying modern technology to produce high-quality cocoa, both serving the domestic market and expanding exports to Europe and Australia."

Meanwhile, Tam Tam An Pharmaceutical Company has exploited the value of the native plant Xao Tam Phan to develop health protection products. The two 5-star product lines of this enterprise have been present in international markets such as Shanghai (China) and the Czech Republic, contributing to raising the value of Vietnamese medicinal herbs. Mr. Nguyen Van Khon, Director of Tam Tam An Pharmaceutical Company, said that up to now, the enterprise has produced 9 products from Xao Tam Phan plant, typically herbal tea, wine, capsules... Of which, 4 products meet 4-star OCOP standards.

Currently, Tam Tam An Pharmaceutical Enterprise has produced 9 products from the plant xao tam phan, typically herbal tea, wine, capsules... Of which 4 products meet 4-star OCOP standards. Photo: Minh Sang.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Vien, Chairman of Phu Hoa Commune People's Committee, the 5-star OCOP title is a great opportunity for the locality to promote its brand, connect product consumption and promote rural startups. "The locality will develop OCOP in a professional direction, applying digital technology in promoting and consuming products, while closely connecting with local culture," Mr. Vien affirmed.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dong Nai province, Nguyen Van Thang, said: “After nearly 7 years of implementation, the OCOP program in Dong Nai has gone into depth, becoming a highlight in rural economic development. In 2025, the Department will continue to organize training, guide and urge localities to support subjects to complete documents and upgrade OCOP products.”

According to Mr. Thang, having 8 more 5-star OCOP products is not only an achievement of the enterprise but also a testament to the right direction in developing OCOP associated with building raw material areas and strong agricultural products...

With nearly 500 OCOP products, of which 11 products meet national 5-star standards, Dong Nai is emerging as a bright spot in developing typical agricultural products of the Southeast region. The province aims to become a center for agricultural processing by 2030, developing high-quality OCOP products, associated with local branding and international integration.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/buoc-chuyen-ocop-dong-nai-bai-1-nang-hang-san-pham-dac-trung-d782954.html