OCOP products are leading consumer trends.

With the Lunar New Year 2026 fast approaching, the market for Tet gift baskets in Thai Nguyen has already entered its peak season, with purchasing power increasing by 15-50% compared to the same period last year, indicating a thriving shopping atmosphere. Notably, OCOP products and local specialties are taking a leading role in Tet gift baskets, clearly reflecting a shift in consumer preferences.

Members of the Yen Duong Cooperative in Thuong Minh commune are packaging products for the market during the Tet holiday.

With people's living standards improving, the need for gift-giving during Tet (Lunar New Year) remains, but spending habits have changed significantly. Instead of choosing gift baskets that prioritize appearance, contain many imported candies or expensive foreign wines, consumers now prioritize practical, easy-to-use products that are food-safe and have clear origins.

Recognizing the trend of economical consumption while prioritizing value, many cooperatives and businesses in the province have promptly restructured their products, incorporating OCOP (One Commune One Product) items and distinctive agricultural products into Tet gift baskets. Each gift basket is harmoniously combined, diverse in types, and flexible in price, meeting the gifting needs of both households and businesses.

According to Ms. Ma Thi Ninh, Director of Yen Duong Cooperative (Thuong Minh commune), to proactively secure supply for the Tet market, the cooperative prepared raw materials early, increased production shifts, and ensured product quality and delivery. With the advantage of many 3-4 star OCOP products such as Yen Duong vermicelli, glutinous rice, and fragrant green pumpkin tea, the cooperative hopes that Tet gift baskets with local flavors will continue to be well-received by the market, contributing to increasing the value of agricultural products and income for local people.

No longer limited to selling individual products, many OCOP (One Commune One Product) businesses have proactively collaborated to create comprehensive gift baskets. This approach helps leverage the strengths of each unit while creating a diverse and consistent range of Tet (Lunar New Year) gift products.

Sharing insights on this year's Tet market trends, Ms. Bui Thi Hai Yen, Director of Ban Viet Production and Trade Service Cooperative, said that consumers are increasingly favoring convenient gift baskets, containing "a little bit of everything" but sufficient for use throughout the Tet holiday. Anticipating this trend, the cooperative prepared its inventory early, working directly with each member facility to inspect and test product quality.

In the mid-range and high-end segments, the trend of personalizing gift baskets is becoming increasingly evident. Ms. Ha Minh Doi, Director of Ha Diep Co., Ltd. (Duc Xuan Ward), said that this Tet holiday, the company plans to release more than 1,500 Tet gift baskets to the market. Each basket contains 7-8 products, priced from 250,000 to 900,000 VND; in addition, there are also custom-designed gift baskets priced at over 1-2 million VND.

Alongside the dynamism of the market, ensuring the quality of OCOP products is a top priority for relevant authorities. Strict monitoring from production and processing to distribution in the market is considered a crucial foundation for maintaining consumer trust.

The " Thai Nguyen Cultural Specialty" gift set, designed by Ban Viet, is inspired by the Tay culture of the Ba Be Lake region.

Mr. Duong Son Ha, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Thai Nguyen province, said: the agricultural sector is implementing a comprehensive monitoring program for OCOP products, focusing on checking origin, compliance with labeling regulations, and taking samples for food safety testing, ensuring that products brought to market fully meet standards.

From a business and cooperative perspective, tightening quality control is not only a mandatory requirement but also a competitive advantage. As the market increasingly prioritizes transparency and safety, OCOP products from the province that achieve 3-5 stars have many opportunities to assert their position and conquer the segment of Tet gifts for agencies, businesses, and consumers with high demands.

According to statistics, the province currently has nearly 600 OCOP products, including 10 products that have achieved 5-star national certification and 113 products that have achieved 4-star certification. The Lunar New Year is always the time that brings the highest revenue for many businesses, especially in the gift-giving segment. The collaboration between businesses to create OCOP gift baskets not only helps expand sales during the season but also contributes to the formation of a sustainable and professional agricultural product value chain.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202601/san-pham-ocop-dan-dat-xu-huong-tieu-dung-7f8282d/