A bridge bringing OCOP products closer to consumers

At the Conference on Promoting OCOP Product Consumption chaired by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and co-organized with the Domestic Market Department and Cong Thuong Newspaper on September 29, Bui Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Domestic Market Department, said that the “One Commune, One Product” (OCOP) Program, implemented nationwide in the 2021-2025 period, has become an important solution to promote rural economic development. The program harnesses local advantages, increases value, creates jobs, and raises incomes for people.

To date, Vietnam has established more than 132 OCOP introduction and sales points, with over 17,000 products certified from three to five stars, including more than 120 products rated five-star at the national level. These include many regional specialties, agricultural goods, processed foods, beverages, handicrafts, medicinal herbs, natural cosmetics, and community tourism services.

Mr. Bui Nguyen Anh Tuan emphasized that linking and promoting OCOP product consumption plays a key role and serves as the driving force for the program’s sustainable development.

Alongside the relentless efforts of cooperatives, MoIT and other ministries have actively supported businesses in expanding domestic and international distribution channels.

Following Decision No. 919/QD-TTg issued on August 1, 2022, MoIT, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) and related ministries, has reviewed and refined regulations on OCOP outlets, supported economic organizations in developing products, improved market access capacity, and implemented trade promotion activities.

Based on this, the Domestic Market Department of the MoIT has guided localities to establish and promote OCOP introduction and sales points, organized trade fairs, exhibitions, and promotion campaigns, and integrated OCOP into rural trade development and e-commerce. These efforts have helped businesses and cooperatives advertise their products domestically and internationally, bringing OCOP items into supermarket chains, e-commerce platforms, traditional markets, and convenience stores.

Bui Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Domestic Market Department reiterated that the MoIT plays a core role in organizing distribution systems and acts as a bridge bringing OCOP products closer to consumers.

In recent years, MoIT has coordinated with ministries and localities to organize practical activities such as fairs, exhibitions, and OCOP weeks in major cities and commercial centers. These efforts have supported branding, trade promotion, and export expansion for competitive OCOP products, while also raising public awareness of the OCOP label.

Phan Van Net, Director of Phi Dien Agricultural Cooperative (Bac Ninh province), highly valued the MoIT’s programs, saying that trade promotion activities not only opened new markets for his cooperative’s OCOP products but also created opportunities to reach international customers and expand exports.

Similarly, Nguyen Van Nam, Director of Nam The Chu Rice Noodle Cooperative, said the MoIT’s support has helped strengthen and expand OCOP distribution systems both at home and abroad. He added that to meet export requirements, the cooperative has been improving technology, enhancing product quality, upgrading packaging, building its brand, and putting its OCOP products on e-commerce platforms to access more consumers.

Toward export-oriented OCOP development

Looking ahead, the MoIT will continue to play a leading role in the next phase of the OCOP Program (2026-2030, yet to be approved) by:

First, consolidating and expanding domestic distribution systems, establishing OCOP centers in cities, tourist areas, and international border gates.

Second, strongly developing e-commerce channels and digital transformation to bring OCOP products to consumers at home and abroad.

Third, promoting the link between OCOP and exports, building strategies to penetrate foreign markets for typical products, and supporting OCOP producers with standards, certification, and international trade promotion.

Mr. Bui Nguyen Anh Tuan stressed that MoIT, and specifically the Domestic Market Department, will continue to accompany the OCOP Program, ensuring that products not only achieve certification but also gain a firm foothold in the market, win consumer trust, and spread Vietnamese value worldwide.

He added that OCOP is not only a driver of rural economic development but also a foundation to promote cultural values and regional identity through distinctive local products. 

For the program to be effective, market connectivity, digital transformation, and capacity building for OCOP producers must be strengthened. Close cooperation between ministries, localities, enterprises, and communities remains key to scaling up and improving quality, while the MoIT will continue to provide favorable conditions for OCOP products to expand both domestically and internationally.