Bank credit provides a boost for OCOP products.

Credit from banks, especially preferential loans from the Vietnam Social Policy Bank (NHCSXH), is becoming an important "lever" helping many OCOP (One Commune One Product) businesses in Quang Tri to boldly invest in production, expand scale, improve product quality, and gradually establish their brands in the market...

Thời báo Ngân hàng•20/05/2026

Capital investment "awakens" the potential of OCOP (One Commune One Product).

In recent years, the "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) program has provided significant impetus for many localities in Quang Tri province to exploit their local advantages and develop distinctive products associated with their culture, resources, and regional strengths. Behind the transformation of many OCOP products is the persistent support of the banking sector with preferential credit lines.

During a recent business trip to Quang Tri, we visited the Thuy Nhi fish sauce production facility of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy in Hai Dong village, Phu Trach commune. Amidst the coastal sunshine, the aroma of fermented fish mixed with the salty sea breeze created a distinctive atmosphere of this traditional craft village. Few people know that to build the OCOP fish sauce brand it is today, Ms. Thuy has overcome numerous difficulties.

Ms. Thuy shared that her family has a traditional fish sauce making business, but many years ago, the small-scale production and lack of investment capital made expanding production very difficult. "Investing in more storage tanks, purchasing equipment, or expanding production all required capital, while our family's savings were limited," she said.

Through the introduction of the Phu Trach Commune Farmers' Association, Ms. Thuy accessed a 100 million VND loan from the Social Policy Bank's employment creation loan program to expand her frog farming ponds and traditional fish sauce production area. With that capital, the facility gradually invested more systematically, improved product quality, and built a brand.

The fish sauce products from Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy's Thuy Nhi fish sauce production facility in Phu Trach commune have been recognized as OCOP products.

To date, Thuy Nhi fish sauce has been recognized as an OCOP product, becoming one of the local specialties. According to Ms. Thuy, the demand for loans from OCOP production facilities remains very high. "If there were more preferential capital sources, many households would be more confident in investing in machinery, expanding production, and further improving product quality," Ms. Thuy expressed.

Not only does preferential capital from the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) in Quang Tri support households, but it has also become an important driving force helping many businesses and cooperatives develop OCOP products in a professional manner. One typical model is Dinh Son Mai Thi Thuy Herbal Extract Company Limited in Cam Lo commune. For more than 10 years, the company has persistently researched and developed products from natural herbs, gradually transforming from artisanal to industrial production.

The company director, Ms. Mai Thi Thuy, said that in the early stages of starting the business, the biggest difficulty was still the investment capital for machinery, raw material areas, and expanding production. During that time, preferential loans from the Cam Lo branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies, through the job creation program, helped the business overcome the difficult period. “Most recently, I received a loan of 100 million VND to continue investing in machinery and developing raw material areas to stabilize production. For small businesses like ours, preferential loans are truly meaningful,” Ms. Thuy shared.

Dinh Son Mai Thi Thuy Herbal Extract Company Limited, located in Cam Lo commune, received support from credit capital to invest in machinery and develop raw material areas for OCOP products.

To date, the company has developed more than 40 products from natural medicinal herbs, including 12 products that have achieved OCOP 3-star and 4-star ratings, such as: bitter tea extract, milk thistle extract, an xoa extract, Polygonum multiflorum extract, Passiflora incarnata extract… Not only are the company's products consumed locally, but they are now available in many major markets such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi , Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, An Giang… and are distributed through the Co.opmart supermarket system in Quang Tri.

Boosting the reach of OCOP products.

In reality, policy-based credit in Quang Tri is proving to be highly effective in developing OCOP products. Thanks to preferential loans, many OCOP businesses have boldly invested in equipment, expanded production scale, created jobs for local workers, and increased their income…

According to many producers, bank loans not only help resolve financial difficulties but also contribute to changing people's production mindset. From small-scale, fragmented production, many establishments have gradually shifted to production based on value chain linkages, focusing on traceability, quality standards, and market demand.

Preferential capital has been and is

Preferential funding has been and continues to "awaken" the potential of OCOP products in Quang Tri.

After many years of implementing the OCOP program, Quang Tri province has developed many products bearing the distinct mark of the locality. Currently, the entire province has 403 recognized OCOP products, including 3 products achieving 5 stars, 69 products achieving 4 stars, and 331 products achieving 3 stars, with the participation of 240 economic entities…

Many distinctive products such as coffee, high-quality rice, chewy sweet potatoes, medicinal herbs, processed seafood, and handicrafts are gradually establishing their position in domestic and international markets. Beyond economic value, OCOP products also contribute to preserving cultural identity and enhancing the value of local agricultural products.

Ms. Tran Duc Xuan Huong, Director of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) branch in Quang Tri province, said that the unit will continue to coordinate with relevant departments, agencies, and socio-political organizations to support people, businesses, and cooperatives in accessing preferential capital. Priority will be given to supporting households and cooperatives participating in the OCOP program to invest in expanding production and business, creating jobs and increasing income for people. This will contribute to promoting local socio-economic development.

For sustainable development, in addition to support from the banking sector, a coordinated effort from all levels, sectors, and local authorities is needed…

However, despite the positive results, like many other localities nationwide, the development of OCOP products in Quang Tri still faces numerous difficulties. Many producers are small-scale, have limited management capacity, and the application of digital technology and product promotion is uneven. Many OCOP products still struggle with sales and market expansion.

Therefore, for OCOP products to develop sustainably, in addition to support from the banking sector, a coordinated effort from all levels, sectors, and local authorities is needed. This includes promoting trade, supporting market connections, developing e-commerce, and improving the management capacity of OCOP producers. Furthermore, producers need to proactively innovate technology, improve product quality, invest in packaging and labeling, and build brands associated with quality standards such as VietGAP, GlobalGAP, GMP, or ISO to enhance competitiveness.

With the support of the banking sector, the determination of the local authorities, and individual producers, Quang Tri's OCOP products are gradually expanding their markets, establishing their brands, and creating momentum for sustainable rural economic development. Timely and appropriate funding not only helps people develop their livelihoods but also contributes to "awakening" the potential of many products, further expanding the reach of Quang Tri's OCOP brand.

Source: https://thoibaonganhang.vn/tin-dung-ngan-hang-tao-luc-day-cho-san-pham-ocop-182278.html