OCOP products keep pace with the digital economy.

In the flow of the digital economy, An Giang province is unleashing its local potential through the fusion of tradition and modernity. Beyond traditional stalls and markets, OCOP (One Commune One Product) products from An Giang farmers are strongly expanding, conquering consumers through screen interactions and inspiring live streams.

Farmers are "keeping up" with e-commerce.

Selling products online through e-commerce platforms and social media is being actively promoted by the Ngoc Nhi dried snakehead fish business (Binh An 2 hamlet, Binh Hoa commune, An Giang province).

For over a decade, Ms. Ho Thi Xuan Mai (owner of Ngoc Nhi dried snakehead fish business, Binh An 2 hamlet, Binh Hoa commune, An Giang province) has been involved in the commercial farming of snakehead fish in her hometown, writing a story of the spectacular transformation of this once turbulent profession. Facing the price crash of 2013, instead of giving up, Ms. Mai chose to overcome the challenge with a new mindset, shifting from selling raw products to deep processing.

Chi Mai said her family owns eight snakehead fish ponds with a total surface area of ​​over 17,000 square meters. In 2013, when the market for commercial snakehead fish plummeted, fish farmers faced a crossroads: continue suffering losses or abandon their ponds? For Ms. Mai, giving up the profession would not only mean losing her livelihood but also losing her lifelong passion. It was during those agonizing days by the deserted ponds that she found her own way out. Instead of selling raw fish and being completely dependent on traders, she decided to raise fish in staggered cycles to ensure a reliable supply of raw materials and boldly invested in machinery to process various types of dried snakehead fish for the market.

Through a persistent "learning by doing" approach, the Ngoc Nhi dried snakehead fish brand has emerged from the very challenges of the market, gradually establishing its position through quality and consumer trust.

From small, local orders, the business's customer base has skyrocketed thanks to selling its products on e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, TikTok, and social media. Nearly 1 ton of dried seafood is sold each month, not only generating profit for the family but also creating livelihoods and providing income of 3-5 million VND per month for dozens of local workers.

The dried snakehead fish products of Ngoc Nhi dried snakehead fish business (Binh An 2 hamlet, Binh Hoa commune, An Giang province) are available on e-commerce platforms.

According to Ms. Mai, the journey of bringing her hometown's specialties to a wider audience doesn't stop at the pond or fish farm; it's also an "expedition" into the digital space. In the early days of getting acquainted with e-commerce platforms and social media, Ms. Mai was amazed by the complex algorithms and novel operating methods. However, with the open-minded spirit and perseverance inherent in women from the Mekong Delta, she transformed these technological barriers into effective bridges to spread her brand.

On digital platforms, she not only sells products but also "sells" trust by transparently showcasing the production process. Customers experience the entire journey from fresh ingredients to the finished product, ensuring strict standards of food hygiene and safety.

“When venturing into the vast ocean of e-commerce, we understand that core quality is the foundation for survival. Besides maintaining the freshness of our dried fish, our facility continuously improves packaging, standardizes production, and flexibly diversifies sales channels. Proactive change is essential for our products to reach all market segments and remain in the hearts of consumers,” shared Ms. Mai.

Not only Ngọc Nhi's dried snakehead fish product, but the winds of innovation from digital transformation are spreading strongly to OCOP (One Commune One Product) businesses in Bình Hòa commune, An Giang province. From sweet grass tea to noni fruit juice, local agricultural products are making the most of technology to establish direct distribution channels, opening up a promising direction for the rural economy .

Nguyen Viet Thanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Hoa commune, affirmed that after being honored at the OCOP program, with the close support of the government, the businesses have boldly broken away from old production mindsets. Proactively improving product designs, applying information technology, and livestreaming sales on digital platforms have helped local agricultural products overcome market barriers and confidently reach all parts of the country.

Elevating agricultural products to a "new era"

Ms. Ho Thi Xuan Mai (owner of Ngoc Nhi dried snakehead fish business, Binh An 2 hamlet, Binh Hoa commune, An Giang province) checks the quality of dried snakehead fish products dried in a solar-powered drying oven.

According to a report from An Giang province, by the end of March 2026, the entire province had 582 products recognized as meeting OCOP standards at 3 stars or higher; of which, 14 products met 5-star standards and 52 products met 4-star standards. Currently, the province is considering recognizing 31 products that meet the criteria to meet 3-star standards or higher. These figures not only demonstrate the richness of local resources but also represent the culmination of modern production thinking among the people in the context of new development.

To ensure that agricultural products truly become "ambassadors" carrying the cultural and economic messages of the province, An Giang is focusing its efforts on elevating the OCOP program in the new phase. This is not only a competition in product quality but also a journey to awaken the enduring potential of rural areas, unleashing local advantages to transform them into income value for the people.

According to Le Van Phuoc, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of An Giang province, in the province's comprehensive development strategy, An Giang always places agricultural products at the center, closely linking them with the restructuring of the agricultural sector, the development of small-scale industries, and ecotourism. In particular, digital transformation and the circular economy are considered a "perfect pair" to promote sustainable rural economic development, while simultaneously preserving biodiversity and maintaining the beauty of the landscape and environment.

After initial processing, the dried snakehead fish from Ngoc Nhi dried snakehead fish business (Binh An 2 hamlet, Binh Hoa commune, An Giang province) is dried in a solar-powered drying oven.

Accordingly, An Giang province aims to develop at least 50 new products with 3 stars or higher by the end of 2026; including at least 5 products achieving 4 stars at the provincial level. During the 2026-2030 period, the province aims to have at least 250 OCOP products with 3 stars or higher, including 5 products with 5 stars at the national level, 25 products with 4 stars, and 220 products with 3 stars. The percentage of OCOP entities that are cooperatives should reach at least 20%, and businesses at 30%; at least 30% of entities should build value chains towards a circular economy; and 50% of traditional craft villages should have OCOP products…

In particular, An Giang aims to have 100% of its OCOP products available on modern sales channels and e-commerce platforms by 2030. This is not just a change in distribution channels, but a change in management thinking. Digital transformation will be applied throughout the entire process, from management and supervision to promotion and trade facilitation.

With its professional approach, Ngoc Nhi's dried snakehead fish product (Binh An 2 hamlet, Binh Hoa commune, An Giang province) has created its own brand and is increasingly trusted by customers.

"Digital transformation is not simply about changing distribution channels, but a revolution in management and promotion, bringing the essence of our homeland to the forefront in the flat world," emphasized Le Van Phuoc, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of An Giang province.

According to Le Van Phuoc, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of An Giang province, the vitality of the OCOP program lies in its profound humanistic values. Through policies prioritizing the development of female entrepreneurs (reaching 40%) and ethnic minorities (reaching 20%), An Giang province is creating a rural startup community rich in identity. In particular, integrating 50% of traditional craft villages into the OCOP value chain and developing ecotourism will transform each destination into a "vibrant cultural space."

Towards a "Green OCOP" model linked to the circular economy, An Giang province is not only building strong brands but also continuing the story of heritage preservation, affirming its position as a dynamic region, harmoniously blending modernity with its ancestral values.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/san-pham-ocop-bat-nhip-kinh-te-so-20260415083107645.htm