Connecting trade
Trade promotion is considered an effective support for the sustainable development of OCOP products. Since the beginning of the year, the Can Tho Investment Promotion, Trade and Exhibition Center (the Center) has implemented many trade promotion activities, focusing on supporting businesses and participating in numerous events and trade fairs in provinces and cities nationwide. These events create opportunities for businesses to meet, seek business cooperation opportunities, and contribute to strengthening trade activities and expanding distribution channels.
Saigon Co.op has signed an agreement to distribute Luc Ngan lychees through its nationwide distribution system. This is one of the activities in Saigon Co.op's "Accompanying OCOP" program.
Accordingly, diverse and flexible activities have been implemented to support businesses and industries in connecting supply and demand in the domestic market; developing existing markets while exploring and expanding into new markets. Specifically, the Center has supported businesses in displaying, introducing, and promoting their products through organizing and participating in trade fairs and markets in the city's districts, such as the Tet Trade Union Market and the "Bringing Vietnamese Goods to Rural Areas" market during the Tet Military-Civilian program. These stalls offer food, clothing, handicrafts, cosmetics, local specialties, and OCOP-certified products for consumers. This is one of the practical activities that brings domestically produced goods closer to consumers, while also supporting businesses in promoting their brands and helping consumers become aware of "high-quality Vietnamese" products.
At the APF Executive Committee Meeting and related activities held in Can Tho City (January 2025), the Center organized a booth area showcasing characteristic products of businesses such as OCOP products, organic rice, fruit juices, herbal teas, cantaloupe, and other typical products of the Mekong Delta region. In addition, the Center supported businesses in promoting their products in several provinces and cities, such as the Da Nang Vietnam Goods Fair 2025 - Honoring OCOP products in Da Nang City, and the 4th Hanoi Agricultural Products Festival 2025 in Hanoi City. At these events, the Center organized a joint booth area for Can Tho City to introduce products, develop markets, connect supply and demand, and boost on-site exports of key products and OCOP products from Can Tho.
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Thanh Hoa province has added 35 more OCOP products.According to statistics from the Office of Coordination of the New Rural Development Program (XDNTM) of Thanh Hoa province, in the first six months of 2026, the province added 35 OCOP products, reaching 53.8% of the annual plan. In addition to direct business networking activities, the Center also facilitates business networking by supporting enterprises in applying digital platforms, especially large, reputable platforms with high market and partner networking potential such as Alibaba, TikTok, etc.
To support farmers in selling their durians during the peak harvest season amidst difficulties in durian exports, a trade promotion and agricultural product consumption connection conference was held in Hai Phong City in early June. Thanks to the efforts of the Industry and Trade departments of both localities, on June 11th, 400kg of vacuum-packed Ri 6 durians (part of a 2-ton order) from Can Tho City were transported by air to Hai Phong City for sale. On the very first day, at the Can Tho Durian Product Connection and Consumption Day event held at Aeon Mall Hai Phong, the product was positively received by consumers.
In recent times, trade promotion activities between the two cities have yielded many positive results. Many businesses in Hai Phong have played an important bridging role in bringing Can Tho's agricultural products to the Northern market and for export. Notable examples include Minh Khai Trading Joint Stock Company and Duong Minh Import-Export Joint Stock Company, which regularly import and distribute seasonal fruits, processed agricultural products, rice, and processed seafood products such as tilapia, snakehead fish, eels, catfish, frogs, basa fish, catfish, jellyfish, shrimp, and freshwater crabs. In addition, many other distinctive products from Can Tho City, such as rice and rice paper, are now available in supermarkets in Hai Phong, contributing to expanding the market share for goods from the Southwestern region of Vietnam in the Northern Coastal region.
Establishing a distribution channel
With a focus on sourcing products from domestic suppliers, GO! Big C supermarkets prioritize domestically produced goods. Throughout the year, purchasing officers at GO! Big C supermarkets (part of Central Retail Vietnam) proactively seek out local suppliers to bring regional produce and specialties to consumers nationwide. In addition, Central Retail Vietnam collaborates with Vietnamese farmers to support the consumption of Vietnamese agricultural products, especially those facing oversupply or difficulties in export. Central Retail Vietnam's supermarket system also features booths showcasing Vietnamese OCOP (One Commune One Product) products.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Van, Director of Communications at Central Retail Group, stated that Central Retail aims to fulfill its commitment to "Contributing to the prosperity of Vietnam and improving the quality of life for Vietnamese people." Therefore, the group is always striving to find and expand its network of suppliers in various localities to bring regional products and specialties to consumers nationwide. Among these efforts, promoting and advertising OCOP (One Commune One Product) products is a top priority.
Alongside expanding its system scale and diversifying its product range, LOTTE Mart actively implements programs to support OCOP (One Commune One Product) products. LOTTE Mart has dedicated a section within its supermarkets to displaying and selling OCOP products, offering approximately 100 different items, making them easily accessible and accessible to consumers. Simultaneously, the company actively participates in promotional activities to introduce OCOP products to consumers, such as promotional programs and events.
The Co.opmart, Co.opXtra, and Co.op Food supermarket systems, belonging to the Ho Chi Minh City Commercial Cooperative Union (Saigon Co.op), currently sell over 500 OCOP (One Commune One Product) products, including items from cooperatives nationwide. OCOP products sold in Saigon Co.op's retail system meet 3-4 star standards. Some OCOP products have even been selected and developed into private label products under the Co.op brand. Furthermore, Co.opmart and Co.opXtra always support and prioritize prime locations within their supermarkets for OCOP products, with clear signage and attractive promotional programs to ensure easy access for consumers. According to Saigon Co.op, the rapid growth in the variety of OCOP products within its retail system is a realization of the trade connection between Saigon Co.op and key economic regions across the country.
Strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and the United States.On July 3rd, as part of the Pacific Partnership - Friends of the Pacific 2026 program, the U.S. Army Pacific delegation, led by Lieutenant General Joel Vowell, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Pacific, paid a courtesy visit to the Quang Tri Provincial Military Command. Mr. Vo Tran Ngoc, Business Director of Saigon Co.op, said: “Saigon Co.op is a pioneering unit striving to implement and realize the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program for the 2021-2025 period, which has been approved by the Government, with a focus on developing the rural economy by leveraging local resources and increasing value, contributing to rural economic development and improving farmers' incomes.”
The process of obtaining OCOP product recognition and star ratings is rigorous, adhering strictly to established standards and criteria. However, in some areas, OCOP products have experienced a decline in quality and adherence to required standards after being recognized. Therefore, according to experts, along with support from government agencies and distributors, OCOP producers need to ensure the quality of their star-rated products. Only then will these products be able to maintain their position in the market.
Text and photos: KHANH NAM
Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/tro-luc-san-pham-ocop-san-pham-dac-trung-a188259.html
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