The impetus from OCOP - Part 2: Enhancing Value

- To fully utilize existing potential and advantages, and not limited to raw agricultural products or food items, all levels of government, sectors, and businesses have focused on developing OCOP products in various fields. This has led to significant changes in the implementation of the OCOP program in the province.

Delegates visit the booths displaying typical agricultural products and OCOP products in Chi Lang district (formerly).

Along with developing OCOP products in the food category, agencies, units, and entities are also exploring, developing, and promoting OCOP products in many other fields.

Product variety

While the initial OCOP program primarily featured food products, in recent years, the province has seen the emergence of many new products in the fields of culture, non- agricultural activities , and tourism.

This diversity shows that OCOP is not just about agricultural products, but also a journey to "awaken" local cultural values. From traditional crafts and handicrafts to community-based tourism products, all are being developed by various levels and sectors to become OCOP products.

In Tan Thanh commune, the Bac Le communal temple has long been a sacred destination, closely associated with the spiritual life of the local people. In September 2025, the temple was evaluated and ranked as a 4-star OCOP product. This is the first tourism product in the province to be ranked as an OCOP product. The recognition of the Bac Le communal temple as a 4-star OCOP product not only contributes to affirming the value of a famous spiritual tourism destination but also opens up a new direction in the development of OCOP products in the province. This is considered a milestone showing that the OCOP program is gradually expanding into the fields of culture and community tourism instead of focusing only on agricultural products as before.

Locals visit and learn about traditional Nung ethnic costumes (OCOP products of Thien Thuat commune) at the Hang Po festival in Thien Thuat commune.

Mr. Phung Van Quang, Vice Chairman of the Tan Thanh Commune People's Committee and Head of the Management Board of the Bac Le Communal Temple, said: "When participating in the OCOP program, we aim to develop spiritual tourism products in a more systematic and professional way, both promoting the cultural and historical value of the relic and improving the quality of service for tourists. Therefore, the Management Board has focused on renovating and upgrading infrastructure such as expanding and concreting the parking area, investing in lighting systems, beautifying the green, clean, and beautiful environment, and strengthening security and order. In addition, the unit also focuses on building a product story, introducing the historical and cultural value of the relic to create a highlight and attract tourists from all over."

Not only in the field of spiritual tourism, but many communes in the province are also gradually exploiting local cultural values ​​to develop OCOP products. A typical example is the development and promotion of traditional Nung ethnic costumes as OCOP products.

Ms. Nong Thi Hoa, Deputy Head of the Nung Ethnic Traditional Costume Production Cooperative in Thien Thuat commune, said: "With the desire to preserve and promote the traditional cultural values ​​of Nung ethnic costumes, we established this cooperative in 2025. To ensure our products meet OCOP standards, we focus on the production process, strictly controlling the indigo dyeing, cutting, sewing, and labeling stages. Simultaneously, the cooperative is promoting its products on social media and e-commerce platforms. Thanks to the 3-star OCOP certification in 2025, we have more opportunities to participate in major fairs and exhibitions in the province. Currently, the market has expanded significantly to neighboring areas and other provinces."

According to data from specialized agencies, from 2019 to the present, out of 256 products certified as OCOP products, 217 belong to the food group, while the rest are products in the beverage, ornamental plant, textile, clothing, tourism services, tourist destinations, and handicraft groups, etc.

It can be seen that diversifying OCOP products not only helps to increase economic value but also contributes to preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​of the locality. Through the OCOP program, many traditional products, crafts, and cultural features of ethnic minorities in the province are having the opportunity to be promoted more widely.

Adding value through deep processing.

Along with increasing the number of OCOP products, relevant levels, sectors, and businesses are also focusing on enhancing the value of OCOP products through various specific solutions, including paying attention to introducing advanced processing technology into production.

These days, at the production facility of the Luu Vy Agricultural Products Processing Cooperative in Quan Son commune, workers are busy packaging and labeling products for delivery to customers. Unlike before, when the cooperative's products were mainly processed using simple manual methods, they are now processed using more modern processes and technologies, creating convenient products with a longer shelf life and higher economic value.

Ms. Vi Thi Lua, Director of the Cooperative, said: "Previously, the Houttuynia cordata, guava leaves, and black sesame plants in our garden were just wild plants. Through advanced processing technology, the Cooperative has transformed these leaves into tea bags (Houttuynia cordata tea, guava tea, black sesame tea, raspberry tea, etc.). To date, the Cooperative has had two products recognized by the OCOP program. Thanks to OCOP recognition, the Cooperative's products have continuously expanded their market, and currently, the Cooperative sells an average of 300-1,000 boxes of various teas per day."

Similarly, Ngoc Que Trading and Service Co., Ltd. in Tuan Son commune has also enhanced the value of its products by promoting the processing of products from the *Boehmeria* plant and achieving OCOP certification for its products. Ms. Ngoc Thi Que, the company's director, stated: Recognizing the positive effects of the *Boehmeria* plant on human health, after many years of research and testing, in 2019, the company began producing products from the plant, including *Boehmeria* tea bags and instant *Boehmeria* tea using advanced processing technology. By 2021, the products were officially launched onto the market. During its development, the company actively participated in the OCOP program, and to date, its *Boehmeria* tea bags and instant *Boehmeria* tea have achieved OCOP 4-star certification, facilitating promotion and market expansion. To meet market demands, the company focuses on investing in processing machinery, improving packaging and designs, and strictly controlling the production process to ensure quality and food safety. As a result, the products are increasingly accepted by consumers, with sales reaching over 100,000 boxes per year and revenue of approximately 9 billion VND.

Along with the aforementioned OCOP products, many other OCOP products in the province have been well-received by the market, opening up numerous development opportunities. According to observations at many OCOP product producers, the value of a product increases by an average of 15-20% after receiving OCOP certification.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Chien, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, stated: Over the past period, the OCOP program in the province has achieved many positive results, bringing practical benefits to people, production and business households, cooperatives, and enterprises. It has contributed to the development of the rural economy by focusing on internal strengths and increasing product value; creating jobs, increasing income, reducing poverty, and improving the material and spiritual lives of the people. In addition, the program has effectively promoted the implementation of the "Economic and Production Organization Forms" group in building new rural areas, developing production towards commodity production, and forming linkages in production and product consumption. At the same time, the OCOP program has contributed to preserving and promoting traditional cultural values ​​and local specialties associated with the development of community tourism and experiential tourism, creating momentum for socio-economic development in localities.

The potential and room for development of OCOP products in the province are still very large. Therefore, maintaining and upgrading existing products, as well as developing new OCOP products, continues to be a focus of implementation by all levels, sectors, and businesses.

(To be continued)

Source: https://baolangson.vn/chia-khoa-ocop-ky-2-nang-cao-gia-tri-5092779.html