Cho Don: Breaking through from OCOP and developing tourism.

BBK - Cho Don District – a land rich in revolutionary traditions and cultural identity – is gradually asserting its position as one of the localities with strong development potential in Bac Kan province. In recent years, the district has focused on effectively exploiting its strengths in agriculture and tourism, thereby creating stable and sustainable livelihoods for the people.

Promoting the development of OCOP products.

In accordance with Decision No. 851/QD-UBND dated May 24, 2018, of the Provincial People's Committee, Cho Don district has developed and implemented Plan No. 786/KH-UBND to implement the One Commune One Product (OCOP) project. After 7 years of implementation, the district has 38 OCOP products, including 4 products achieving 4-star standard and 34 products achieving 3-star standard. The entire district has 30 participating entities, including 14 cooperatives, 1 cooperative group, 1 company, and 14 individual business households. Currently, Cho Don ranks second in the province in the number of OCOP products, only after Bac Kan city.

Experience the cultural identity of the people of Con Poong village, Nam Cuong commune.

Many projects linking production and consumption of OCOP products have been successfully implemented, such as: Shan Tuyet tea of ​​Ngoc Thang Co., Ltd.; seedless persimmons of Tan Phong Cooperative; Japonica rice of Son Lam Cooperative; golden flower tea of ​​Hoa Thinh and Nghia Ta Cooperatives; hybrid wild boar meat of Quynh Trang Cooperative; strawberries of Toan Dan Cooperative; dried pho and dried vermicelli of Hong Luan Cooperative... These projects have contributed to the formation of concentrated raw material areas, improving product quality and competitiveness in the market.

Ms. Gia Thi Luan, Director of Hong Luan Cooperative in Tan Lap commune, shared: “Thanks to support from collaborative projects, the cooperative has invested in additional machinery, built workshops, and improved the processing of pho and vermicelli using Bao Thai rice (a local specialty rice). After achieving OCOP 3-star certification, the products are not only sold steadily within the province but also expanded to neighboring provinces.”

In addition, the district also focuses on promoting and facilitating trade. A showroom and sales point for OCOP products has been built with an investment of 200 million VND. The night market model, with display spaces for communes and towns, is gradually taking shape, creating a cultural and commercial highlight and spreading the value of local products.

Then singing and Tinh lute playing are offered to tourists to experience cultural spaces at the ATK Cho Don Spring Festival.

Linking OCOP products with the development of experiential tourism .

In recent years, experiential tourism models in Cho Don have increasingly attracted tourists. Ms. Trieu Thi Le, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: "After visiting Ba Be Lake, I was introduced to the strawberry garden experience in Nam Cuong. This was really interesting. In the fresh air, my friends and I were able to take many beautiful photos and pick ripe strawberries ourselves to enjoy..."

Cho Don District possesses significant tourism potential, from the pristine beauty of its natural landscapes to the unique cultural features of its ethnic minority communities. Landmarks such as the Cho Don ATK Historical Site, Phja Khao Temple, Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve, and community-based tourism villages like Ban Cuon and Con Poong (Nam Cuong commune)... all have great tourism value and are suitable for developing ecotourism and community-based tourism.

Mr. Trieu Huy Chung, Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Cho Don District, said: "The OCOP program is being integrated by the district with the orientation of developing eco-tourism and community tourism, creating a value chain linking agricultural products and tourism. Products such as golden flower tea, Shan Tuyet tea, strawberries, specialty rice... are not only goods but also 'cultural ambassadors' that help promote the image of the locality."

Check in at the strawberry garden in Con Poong village, Nam Cuong commune, Cho Don district.

To sustainably develop the OCOP program in conjunction with tourism, Cho Don district has implemented several key solutions, including: shifting from a focus on quantity to quality, diversifying products, and developing rural tourism tours that combine experiences with agricultural products. Simultaneously, the district is strengthening communication, organizing fairs and food festivals, and connecting products with tourism. Notable examples include the ATK Night Market, Coc Lung Night Market, Nam Cuong Night Market, and the Cho Don ATK Spring Festival – showcasing OCOP products, agricultural produce, and traditional cuisine. These spaces are not only shopping destinations but also cultural experiences, helping visitors gain a deeper understanding of the local people's lives and customs.

Cho Don District has determined that developing the OCOP program not only aims at economic goals but also contributes to preserving and promoting national cultural identity and building local brands. With determination and the coordinated efforts of the entire political system, Cho Don is gradually unleashing its internal potential, striving for comprehensive development, and contributing to building an increasingly prosperous, beautiful, and civilized homeland.

Mulan

Source: https://baobackan.vn/cho-don-but-pha-tu-ocop-va-phat-trien-du-lich-post70070.html