From the vibrant red incense drying yards and steaming rice paper ovens to the lush green custard apple orchards at the foot of Mount Ba Den, the atmosphere of Tet preparations is spreading throughout the countryside, reflecting the enduring vitality of traditional crafts that have long been intertwined with the land and people of this southwestern border region.
Traditional craft villages are busy preserving the spirit of Tet.
The incense-making process is carried out smoothly and continuously at the Van Linh Huong incense production facility to meet the increased consumer demand during the Tet holiday.
In the final days of the year, Long Hai neighborhood in Long Hoa ward ( Tay Ninh province) comes alive with the vibrant red of incense drying yards lining the pathways. Amidst the gentle fragrance of incense, the rhythm of work at the Van Linh Huong incense production facility continues steadily, a cycle that has continued through countless Tet seasons.
Ms. Le Thien Tam, owner of Van Linh Huong incense production facility, shared that Tet (Lunar New Year) is the most important peak season for the incense-making profession. Each incense stick is not only a consumer product but also carries spiritual value, associated with ancestral altars and the aspiration for reunion and peace in the new year. This significance motivates those in the profession to always be careful and persistent in maintaining quality and reputation, despite market fluctuations.
To meet the increased demand during Tet (Lunar New Year), the facility proactively increased production early on, preparing a larger supply than usual to provide for the market in the province and southern localities. However, the facility also faced considerable pressure due to rising raw material prices and scarce supply, while handmade incense had to compete increasingly fiercely with industrial products.
Nevertheless, the establishment strives to maintain stable prices. According to Ms. Tam, after the natural disasters and floods, many families are still facing difficulties, so those in the profession try to share the burden to the best of their ability so that people can confidently buy incense for Tet. What is most valued is not just the revenue, but the trust of consumers in traditional Tay Ninh incense. The product's recognition as a 4-star OCOP product is not only the result of persistent efforts, but also creates conditions for the establishment to promote and market its products, expand its market, and affirm its brand position.
Along with incense production for Tet (Lunar New Year), rice paper production facilities in Tay Ninh province are also accelerating their efforts ahead of the peak season to prepare goods for the market. Despite gradual mechanization and the application of machinery to improve productivity and ensure quality, the bustling atmosphere of work remains, reflecting the vibrant pace of life in this traditional specialty production industry.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Son, Sales Director of Tan Nhien Co., Ltd., Long Hoa Ward (Tay Ninh Province), said that this year's Tet orders bring both joy and worry. Purchasing power has increased compared to last year as people's lives gradually stabilize, but the costs of raw materials, labor, and transportation have all risen. Despite this pressure, the company is still striving to maintain stable prices, because rice paper is a familiar dish during Tet, used by almost every family. According to Mr. Son, no longer limited to a few traditional product lines, Tay Ninh rice paper has now diversified into various types, suitable for many processing methods and modern lifestyles. Standardizing the process and investing in machinery helps the rice paper retain its distinctive flavor while meeting increasingly high demands for hygiene and food safety.
Finished Tây Ninh rice paper products are packaged and labeled at Tan Nhien Co., Ltd., ready for distribution within and outside the province during the Tet holiday.
In particular, the ultra-thin rice paper product of Tan Nhien Co., Ltd. has been recognized as a 5-star national OCOP product, creating a significant boost for the Tay Ninh rice paper brand. Mr. Son said that when bringing the product to the market, not only domestically but also internationally, many foreign partners have become aware of and trust the OCOP program as a guarantee of quality. Thanks to this, the product has more opportunities to access and be accepted in markets such as Taiwan (China), the United States, Australia, Japan, and Thailand. The upgrading of the OCOP program has significantly contributed to solving the problem of product outlets, opening up prospects for sustainable exports for the rice paper making village.
The flavor of Tet, therefore, is not only confined to family meals, but also accompanies shipments traveling far and wide, carrying with them stories of a resilient craft village that adapts to the market.
Climbing up to the foot of Ba Den Mountain, the atmosphere of Tet preparations takes on a different hue. Beneath the lush green foliage, plump custard apples are being meticulously cared for by the orchard owners. In the days leading up to Tet, growers are almost constantly on duty, closely monitoring each crop, timing the harvest precisely to ensure the product is ready for market.
Mr. Le Minh Trung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Minh Trung Agricultural Service Cooperative, shared that custard apple is not only a key crop but also holds distinctive cultural value in the lives of the people. The name "custard apple" is associated with the word "cầu" (meaning "to pray" or "to pray"), expressing the aspiration for abundance and peace in the new year, so this fruit is almost indispensable on the five-fruit platter during Tet (Lunar New Year) in many families.
Thanks to its unique soil conditions and geographical indications, the custard apple from Ba Den Mountain has a distinctive flavor: firm, fragrant, and subtly sweet. To meet the market demand for Tet (Lunar New Year) 2026, the cooperative has proactively organized staggered harvesting, establishing a suitable harvesting schedule for its members to ensure a stable supply and consistent quality. The total production in the region is expected to reach approximately 100-120 tons, meeting consumption needs both within and outside the province during Tet.
However, according to Mr. Trung, custard apple growers still face many challenges this Tet season, from unpredictable weather patterns and increased investment costs to increasingly stringent food safety requirements. In light of this, the cooperative is focusing on promoting safe farming practices and gradually shifting towards organic farming. Pilot orchards have shown that custard apples have a richer flavor, retain their traditional characteristics, and align with the green consumption trend.
With over 100 affiliated members and a continuously expanding raw material area, custard apple cultivation has truly become a sustainable livelihood for farmers. The cooperative plays a key role in linking production and guaranteeing product sales, while also paying attention to welfare issues, preventing theft and pest infestations; regularly organizing workshops and inviting specialized agencies for advice and technical support. In the future, the cooperative hopes to continue receiving support policies regarding seeds and fertilizers in the initial stages, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of production.
Locals tend to custard apple orchards at the foot of Mount Ba Den (Tay Ninh province), cultivating fruit to supply the Tet market.
OCOP products open up new markets.
According to Mr. Truong Tan Dat, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Tay Ninh province, the OCOP program has become a highlight in the development of the province's rural economy , especially during the peak Tet holiday season. To date, the province has 407 OCOP products; including 1 product achieving 5 stars at the national level, 77 products with 4 stars, and 329 products with 3 stars, an increase of 64 products compared to 2024. The products mainly focus on food, traditional specialties, and processed agricultural products, effectively exploiting local advantages, linking production with processing and market demand.
Compared to previous years, the OCOP market during this year's Tet holiday has seen many notable improvements. Product types are increasingly diverse, ranging from everyday consumer goods to gifts and Tet presents; the proportion of deeply processed products has increased, extending shelf life and facilitating year-round consumption. Packaging and labeling are professionally designed, clearly showcasing the origin, quality standards, and story of the product, building consumer trust and gradually replacing low-quality, unregulated goods during the Tet season.
To ensure the smooth launch of OCOP products during the Tet holiday season, the agricultural sector has implemented a comprehensive set of solutions, focusing on trade promotion and consumption linkages through fairs, OCOP weeks, a system of 13 points for introducing and selling OCOP products, and expanding modern distribution channels and e-commerce. Simultaneously, quality management, food safety, and traceability have been strengthened to protect product reputation during the peak consumption period.
Building on the success of the Tet holiday market, the agricultural sector expects the OCOP (One Commune One Product) program to continue expanding its market in a stable and sustainable manner throughout the year. This will be achieved through promoting deep processing, standardizing quality, enhancing the capacity of cooperatives and small-scale businesses, and linking OCOP with rural tourism and local culture. This will not only elevate the status of local agricultural products but also contribute to preserving the essence of traditional crafts and establishing the brand of Tay Ninh specialties in the market.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/ocop-nang-tam-dac-san-tay-ninh-trong-mua-tet-20260114140205704.htm
Comment (0)