Rich and flavorful honey from the Dao ethnic group.

Dao village honey – a 3-star OCOP certified product of Thong Nhat Dao Village Agricultural Cooperative (Hoa Binh City) – is highly appreciated by consumers for its quality, rich flavor, and diverse packaging. The distinctive sweet taste of Dao village honey leaves an unforgettable impression on those who have tasted it.

Members of the Thong Nhat Dao village agricultural cooperative (Hoa Binh City) share their experiences and techniques in beekeeping.

Located on the outskirts of Hoa Binh City, Thong Nhat ward is surrounded by high mountains and enjoys a tropical monsoon climate. This provides favorable conditions for the growth of flowers, fruit trees, and medicinal plants, which in turn provide a livelihood for honeybees. The lives of the local people are closely tied to the hills and fields. This sparked the idea among the cooperative members to develop a honeybee farming model. Leveraging the local strengths and combining them with traditional experience, the Thong Nhat Dao Village Agricultural Cooperative has guided its members to research and apply professional honeybee farming processes to create a natural product.

Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong, a member of the cooperative with nearly 10 years of experience in beekeeping, shared: "With nearly 400 bee colonies, our family's honey production in 2024 reached nearly 1,000 liters, generating a total revenue of 150 million VND. After harvesting the raw honey, the cooperative uses a system of machinery and equipment, applying modern technology to reduce the water content in the honey. This helps to store and preserve the honey for a long time without losing its beneficial nutrients. After processing, the water content in the honey is reduced to below 18%, which is the European standard, ensuring that the product meets the requirements for export to the most demanding markets.”

The Thong Nhat Dao Village Agricultural Cooperative has been operating since 2015 with over 80 members, of which over 90% are Dao ethnic people. The cooperative currently has 5 member households participating in beekeeping with over 1,000 colonies. In 2024, the cooperative's honey production for the market reached over 4,000 liters, with prices ranging from 160,000 to 180,000 VND per liter.

As a natural sweetener, honey primarily contains sugar and a mixture of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, iron, zinc, and antioxidants that are beneficial to health. The Dao ethnic group's honey product is certified VietGAP, complying with food safety standards for production and business. Furthermore, the cooperative has been granted the right to use the Hoa Binh Honey certification mark, with a QR code for traceability, enhancing consumer confidence and meeting the stringent requirements of the integration trend. These achievements mark the continuous efforts of the cooperative members, initially enhancing the reputation, value, and competitiveness of the Dao ethnic group's honey product in the market.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh, Director of the Thong Nhat Dao Village Agricultural Cooperative, said: "From February to July each year is the time when honey is of the best quality, when hundreds of flower species bloom throughout the mountainous region of Hoa Binh. This diversity creates a unique flavor and color, making Dao village honey distinct from other products. The cooperative currently provides employment for hundreds of workers, contributing to poverty reduction, increasing income, and improving the lives of its members, who are ethnic minorities such as the Muong and Dao people. Currently, Dao village honey is sold at OCOP product display locations and stalls in Hoa Binh city with attractive packaging and a volume of 500ml."

From the hard work and toil of the people of Thong Nhat Dao village, the honey has crystallized into smooth, golden drops of honey, 100% pure and natural, guaranteeing three "no" criteria: no adulteration, no preservatives, and no harmful substances. Innovations in equipment investment to upgrade production processes, new packaging designs, the application of digital technology in production, and increased activity on e-commerce platforms have enhanced quality and further expanded the market for the product. In the future, the Thong Nhat Dao Village Agricultural Cooperative promises to further establish its brand and bring Dao village honey to consumers both domestically and internationally.

Duc Anh

Source: https://baohoabinh.com.vn/12/199977/Dam-da-mat-111ng-ban-Dao.htm