OCOP products from Binh Dinh province are now available on the market.

Authorities in Binh Dinh province have been making efforts to help OCOP product manufacturers and businesses participate in e-commerce.

This gradually affirms the correct direction, in line with the strong development of modern science and technology. Standing alongside businesses: The Fourth Industrial Revolution has become a driving force for the development of e-commerce worldwide and in Vietnam. E-commerce has become an inevitable trend, bringing new development opportunities to the business community and the economy. In Binh Dinh province, with its advantages in geographical location, human resources, and distinctive OCOP products, e-commerce is expected to be an important driving force to boost the local economy. According to data from the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM) and the Department of E-commerce - Digital Economy ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ), in 2024, Binh Dinh province's e-commerce index ranked 15th out of 63 provinces and cities nationwide. Mr. Ngo Van Tong, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Binh Dinh province, said that with the above ranking results, the province's e-commerce has a solid foundation to accelerate the digital transformation process, expand new distribution channels, and enhance the value of products. To achieve these results, in the period 2023-2024, the Department of Industry and Trade of Binh Dinh province coordinated with functional units to build specialized database software for trade promotion and key export industries, as well as upgrade and maintain the e-commerce website connecting trade between Binh Dinh and the southern provinces of Laos.

In addition, the Department of Industry and Trade has implemented and maintained an online map software for the distribution system of Vietnamese goods in Binh Dinh province, supporting 10 businesses in applying digital technology solutions (barcode technology, QR code, NFC chip, blockchain technology, etc.) to trace the origin of products. Simultaneously, it has supported 10 businesses in building e-commerce websites; 2 businesses in applying e-commerce through e-business tools; and 5 businesses, cooperatives, and production facilities that meet the criteria and have products certified under the OCOP program to develop their products on the Shopee e-commerce platform. The aim is to focus on supporting and building exemplary models to lead and spread the buying and selling of agricultural products on e-commerce platforms. To date, Binh Dinh province has a total of 477 OCOP products. Of these, 435 products achieved 3-star rating (accounting for 91.19%), 42 products achieved 4-star rating (accounting for 8.81%), and 223 OCOP products were listed on e-commerce platforms. "This shows remarkable progress in the quality and sustainable development of OCOP products. Binh Dinh's OCOP products are not only favored by consumers within the province but also have the potential to develop in domestic and international markets," said Mr. Ngo Van Tong. "Clean from the heart, living peacefully." According to long-standing businesses in the production and trading sector, selling a product is about selling a story. A typical product will have its value multiplied many times over if it incorporates stories related to the production process.

These stories could be about distinctive cultural values ​​or unique aspects of the product's origin, special uses, the company's development process, and its operating principles. They also reflect pride in local resources, cultural heritage, dedication, and the aspirations of the product creators. The dried rice noodles and pho from Kicafoods, produced by the couple Nguyen Ngoc Kieu and Le Thi Canh in An Hao Dong commune, Hoai An district (Binh Dinh province), are a prime example. In mid-2020, the couple started their business in their hometown of An Hao Dong, making dried rice noodles and pho using a family tradition. With the support of family and relatives, they invested in building a factory and purchasing machinery and equipment. In 2021, they registered the Kicafoods Food Production and Business Facility, with their main products being dried rice noodles and pho made from rice and brown rice. Along with that, Mr. and Mrs. Kieu focus on product design and packaging, prioritizing safe, high-quality ingredients to ensure consumer health, and embracing technology to expand Kicafoods' products through online channels (Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok). Ms. Le Thi Canh's family has a tradition of producing dried rice noodles and pho for over 10 years. Their small-scale production, using traditional methods, is quite laborious. "With the goal of making dried rice noodles and pho accessible to everyone, I started doing all the steps myself to understand how hard it is. Once I understood and loved this work, my dried rice noodle and pho brand was born with the motto 'Clean from the heart, living peacefully,' aiming to create delicious and safe products, which has received many positive reviews," shared Ms. Le Thi Canh, founder and CEO of Kicafoods. Kicafoods' dried rice noodles and pho go international. To date, the Kicafoods brand of dried rice noodles and pho has been recognized as a 3-star provincial-level OCOP product, considered a product with great investment and development potential in the locality. The product has also been exported to Laos and Cambodia. In addition, Mr. Kieu and Ms. Canh have sent 30 sample boxes to New Zealand and South Korea for partners to analyze, evaluate quality, and explore market demand. "The most unforgettable moment was the first time I wrote a post sharing the story of dried rice noodles and pho on my personal Facebook page. After writing, I nervously closed my eyes and... pressed the Enter key. It might be normal for some, but for me, pressing the Enter key was a struggle. 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,' just overcoming that moment means you've already taken a big step forward," Ms. Le Thi Canh confided. It is evident that online sales through websites, e-commerce platforms, and social media are becoming increasingly popular in the era of Industry 4.0. This not only brings convenience to sellers but also to buyers with many new benefits, such as: helping businesses and consumers access market information; significantly reducing the time and costs of transactions, marketing, market development, and partner search; reducing production costs; and facilitating quick and convenient payments. However, OCOP (One Commune One Product) entities need to be more proactive in building brands and improving product quality to build trust, gradually establish credibility with consumers, and expand market share. Source: https://nld.com.vn/san-pham-ocop-binh-dinh-len-san-196250113140943141.htm