Channel needed to expand Hanoi's OCOP products: Experts

Hanoi's One Commune One Product (OCOP) program helps artisan villages develop unique products and the city's authorities have promoted the consumption of those items but it requires a conduit between producers and retailers, said Vu Ba Phu, Director of the Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The move is needed as most manufacturers of OCOP products are small so they are weak in trade promotion capacity, Phu said. 

A consumer buys OCOP products at the 2024 OCOP Fair organized in Hanoi. Photos: VGP

OCOP programs have not focused on advantageous local products, especially those within the same area and between provinces and cities.

According to Nguyen Kieu Oanh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, Hanoi authorities have drawn up a plan to boost sales of OCOP products by establishing OCOP venues linked to rural tourism and artisan village visits in the city.

"This year, Hanoi has developed about 20 OCOP venues in the city. Besides, the municipal government has organized many activities to market OCOP products, including Hanoi Agricultural Products and Craft Village Festivals, Hanoi OCOP Products Fairs, and others," the official said.

She stressed that Hanoi has built a center for the design, creation, introduction and sale of OCOP products and artisanal villages related to tourism in its districts and towns. 

A four-star OCOP product from Hanoi's Thach That District.

In the past, Hanoi has developed a total of 100 OCOP sites. Among them, there are 20 OCOP venues related to tourism and artisan villages, such as Van Phuc Silk Weaving Village, Bat Trang Ceramics Village, Duong Lam Ancient Village; Van Tu Sewing Village and Son Ha Woodworking Village in Phu Xuyen District; Ha Thai Lacquer Craft Village and Hong Van Commune Community Tourism in Thuong Tin District.

“In the coming time, the industry and trade sector will coordinate with the People's Committees of Hanoi's districts and towns to develop more OCOP venues to make OCOP products more of the choice of consumers," she added.

Nguyen Trung Dau, Director of Chu Quyen Agricultural Cooperative in Hanoi’s in Ba Vi District, told the Vietnam Government Portal that his cooperative has received three-star certification for four types of OCOP vegetables since 2020.

"In fact, Hanoi has set up OCOP venues in Ba Vi District, which has created opportunities for our company to generate revenue of about VND100 million (US$3,928) per month," Dau said.

To help OCOP producers boost sales, Nguyen Manh Quyen, Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, said the city government has decided to build more OCOP product venues associated with craft village visits and rural tourism for the period 2025-2030.

"At the same time, the Hanoi People's Committee has issued a plan to support brand management and printing of OCOP product labels in the city, making it easier for OCOP producers to meet traceability requirements," Quyen said.

He added that Hanoi intends to promote modern agricultural production models, expand markets, develop ecological and organic agriculture, and promote rural tourism and experiential education.

With 1,350 artisan villages, all trades converge in the capital, including 47 of the country's 52 traditional trades.