Leveraging indigenous strengths to upgrade distinctive products

Following the administrative boundary adjustment, Tuyen Quang has become one of the largest provinces in the northern midland and mountainous region. This land of abundant potential is home to an impressive portfolio of signature products, from ancient Shan tuyet tea and king oranges to mint honey, high-mountain cattle and rare freshwater fish. These advantages have enabled the province to build a solid foundation of outstanding rural industrial products and a thriving OCOP ecosystem.

To date, the province has 454 OCOP-certified products, including 24 four-star and 428 three-star items across food, beverages, handicrafts and community-based tourism. Investment for trade promotion has also grown. The province has supported 36 product trademarks with more than VND 3.35 billion and provided preferential loans worth over VND 27 billion to 19 cooperatives, of which OCOP producers account for more than VND 15 billion. As a result, local products now exhibit stronger branding, packaging, traceability and food-safety compliance.

The MoIT department in Tuyen Quang has created further momentum. Since 2020, the province has supported 17 OCOP points of sale and participated in over 20 domestic and international trade-promotion events. Notably, many local specialties have been introduced on e-commerce platforms such as Postmart, Voso and Smart Tuyen Quang, helping expand consumer reach.

At a recent trade-promotion conference organised by the provincial MoIT, producers highlighted significant shifts in market trends. Nguyen Ngoc Sang, Director of Sang Nhung Safe Food Processing Cooperative, noted that supply chains remain limited, with only a few products achieving fully integrated farm-to-table models.

His cooperative has invested heavily in environmental technologies, organic fertiliser production and the operation of the “Green Agricultural Supermarket” network, which now offers more than 6,500 product codes. Its herbal pork line was recognised by the Vietnam Consumer Protection Association as one of the 50 most reputable products and received high honours among the top 100 outstanding items in 2024.

Strengthening promotion to elevate the value of strategic products

Among Tuyen Quang’s signature goods, Shan tuyet tea remains the province’s most prominent asset. With tens of thousands of hectares, the province possesses the nation’s largest Shan tuyet tea area, including many centuries-old trees recognised as national heritage. Yet production remains fragmented, processing technologies are modest and branding remains underdeveloped.

Ly Thanh Nhan from Phin Ho Tea Cooperative emphasised that most Shan tuyet tea is still sold as raw or semi-processed leaves, which significantly undervalues its potential. He underscored the urgency of improving quality standards.

The cooperative proposed several solutions, including zoning specialised tea areas, promoting organic cultivation, investing in deep processing, developing a collective Shan tuyet brand, strengthening value-chain linkages, advancing experience-based tourism and accelerating digital transformation.

These proposals align with the province’s strategic orientation: promoting trade in a way that reflects mountainous characteristics, supporting businesses in technology upgrading, brand building and market expansion both at home and abroad. Tuyen Quang aims that by 2025, more than 70% of OCOP products will secure trademark protection, with many specialty goods meeting requirements to enter major distribution systems.

Among rural industrial products, Ngoc Thuy Non green tea, produced by Su Anh Agricultural Services Cooperative, has recently been recognised at the national level. Director Nguyen Cong Su expressed strong confidence in the product, noting its unique flavour profile and positive market reception. Despite a subdued market this year, the cooperative has maintained stable pricing and production chains.

The increasing recognition of provincial specialties at national and regional levels reflects the firm progress of Tuyen Quang’s rural industrial sector.

Trade-promotion activities continue to serve as a vital bridge between production and consumption, delivering highland agricultural products to a wider market. In the context of expanding cross-border economic cooperation, Tuyen Quang is deepening partnerships with northern border provinces to seize export opportunities to China and other promising destinations.

With strong commitments from provincial authorities and persistent efforts from businesses and cooperatives, Tuyen Quang’s outstanding rural industrial products are not only consolidating their position in the domestic market but are also increasingly poised to advance along global value chains.