Exploiting OCOP and rural tourism well, Vietnam will make a strong breakthrough

Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang emphasized that if the OCOP program and rural tourism are effectively exploited, Vietnam will create a breakthrough in rural development.

“If we know how to effectively exploit the OCOP program and rural tourism, we can absolutely create breakthroughs, bringing a better life to people in rural areas” - Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang emphasized at the Conference to evaluate the results of developing OCOP products and rural tourism in the period of 2021 - 2025, with orientation for 2026 - 2030, on the morning of October 16.

Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang emphasized that if the OCOP program and rural tourism are effectively exploited, Vietnam will create a breakthrough in rural development.

Awakening rural potential and internal strength

Speaking at the conference, Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang affirmed: Over the past 24 years, along with the National Target Program on New Rural Development, the two programs "One Commune One Product OCOP" and "Rural Tourism Development" have achieved many positive results, contributing significantly to the economic restructuring and improving the lives of rural people.

According to Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang, these programs have unleashed the potential and internal strength of each locality; increased the value of agricultural, non-agricultural and service products; and at the same time created jobs, stabilized lives and ensured security in rural areas.

Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang and artisan Dao Duc Hieu - the man who brought the Suoi Giang tea brand "far".

Notably, the conference took place at a time when the Government and the National Assembly had just agreed on the policy of integrating three major programs such as new rural construction, sustainable poverty reduction and socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas into a unified program, starting from January 1, 2026. According to Mr. Thang, this will be an "important turning point" to help improve investment efficiency and develop OCOP products and rural tourism in a sustainable direction.

More than 17,000 OCOP products recognized

According to the report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in the period of 2021 - 2025, Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang recorded impressive numbers: The whole country has more than 8,400 OCOP products with 3 stars or more, bringing the total number of OCOP products nationwide to 17,400 products. Of which, 9,345 products belong to cooperatives, small businesses and households.

Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang spoke at the Conference.

“In reality, a product recognized as OCOP has better consumption and a significantly higher selling price,” said Mr. Thang, adding that OCOP products have affirmed their quality standards, safety and consumer trust, helping to maintain livelihoods, promote gender equality and promote community strength.

At the conference, the Ministry also announced 75 new OCOP products, contributing to the continued development of the rural economy.

Rural tourism is a new direction of agricultural economy.

Although it has only been implemented for more than 3 years, the rural tourism development program has achieved many encouraging results. Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang acknowledged and highly appreciated that there are currently more than 600 agricultural and rural tourism models nationwide, an increase of 1.6 times compared to 2021.

In which, many models are associated with regional characteristics, creating a strong change in the thinking of the people from pure agriculture to multi-value economy combined with tourism.

Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang said: "One commune one product OCOP" and "Rural tourism development" have achieved many positive results, contributing significantly to economic restructuring and improving the lives of rural people.

According to Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang, many localities have demonstrated strong resilience when having the right policies such as Thai Nguyen tea being certified as OCOP, the product value has increased many times, becoming a national key product; Tu Ky embroidery village (Hai Duong) - from a product that few people know about, now combined with experiential tourism, the selling price has increased 2-3 times, and the number of tourists visiting is increasing.

“From Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen to the Southwest, many localities have built unique rural tourism products, attracting visitors to come back and experience. This is clear evidence of the right direction, in line with the trend of green and sustainable development,” Mr. Thang emphasized.

Phase 2026 - 2030 shifts from quantity to quality

Entering the new phase, according to Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has identified a series of key tasks, which are to perfect mechanisms and policies, including researching and coordinating with ministries and branches to develop a separate decree on OCOP development and rural tourism; researching preferential mechanisms on land, credit, labor and technology.

In addition, applying science and technology, digital transformation, building a national digital database on OCOP and rural tourism, serving traceability, quality management, connecting e-commerce platforms; coordinating with Vietnam Television and media agencies to build regular propaganda columns.

Overview of the Conference on the morning of October 16.

To promote trade and expand markets, the Ministry will coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to organize domestic and foreign fairs and exhibitions, support businesses to participate in the global value chain, and aim to export OCOP products.

In addition, the Ministry assigned the Central Coordination Office to develop guidelines for developing OCOP and rural tourism associated with new rural programs, sustainable poverty reduction and ethnic minority development.

Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang emphasized: The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will take the lead and proactively coordinate with ministries, branches, localities and social organizations to promote the OCOP program and rural tourism to develop substantially, contributing to raising the brand of Vietnamese products.

He shared the words of General Secretary To Lam in the meeting with 95 typical farmers and agricultural scientists, which were: We must build a civilized, secure, and friendly countryside; so that farmers are truly the subject of development, so that the countryside goes along with the country's development and determines this as the "compass" for the future.

Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang views OCOP products of Duc Phong bamboo lamp set.

“Currently, Vietnam’s agriculture grows about 4% per year, but the potential is still huge. If we know how to effectively exploit the OCOP program and rural tourism, we can absolutely create breakthroughs, bringing a better life to people in rural areas,” said Mr. Thang.

With a spirit of initiative, responsibility and a desire for innovation, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment affirmed that he will closely accompany localities, enterprises, cooperatives and OCOP subjects, so that the program can truly "take off" in the new development stage of the country.

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Source: https://baolaocai.vn/khai-thac-tot-ocop-va-du-lich-nong-thon-viet-nam-se-but-pha-manh-me-post884661.html