(HBO) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Hoa Binh People’s Committee co-held a fair on agriculture and products under the "One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme in the North and the Hoa Binh province Citrus Fruit Festival on November 1 – 5.
Hoa Binh currently farms about 10,500 hectares of citrus fruits of various species, ranging from orange, tangerine to pomelo. The citrus fruit areas produce more than 150,000 tonnes of fruits annually that generate 450 million – 500 million VND per hectare. This has raised the average value of agricultural land to 135 million VND per hectare and contributed to the 6.2-percent agricultural growth in the province this year.
As part of the OCOP programme, Hoa Binh has recognised eight products as four-star class, 16 others three-star which are among the northern provinces’ 400 OCOP products. This has helped promote specialty products of each province among both domestic and foreign consumers.
The events featured nearly 200 exhibitors who displayed about 4,000 products at 300 booths. They provided an opportunity to advertise citrus fruits, OCOP and agricultural products from Hoa Binh and other northern provinces among the consumers.
It also aimed to raise the sense of responsibility among farmers and producers in agricultural production and distribution and urge them to improve the products’ added value and safety, sustainably develop and adapt to climate change, contributing to the building of new-style rural areas and raising rural living standards.
At the events’ opening ceremony, the provincial People’s Committee presented OCOP-standard certificates to eight four-star products, including Mai Chau brocades, Ha Phong fresh orange and orange juice, Inchi sachi tea, Lac Thuy chickens, Da River tilapia and Bagridae fishes, and Pa Co Shan Tuyet tea, alongside 16 three-star products.
Leaders of the province also launched a portal for tracking origin of local agricultural, forestry and fishery products – hb.check.net.vn./.
Dao Village’s honey – a product certified with a 3-star OCOP (One Commune One Product) rating by Thong Nhat Agricultural Cooperative in Dao Village (Hoa Binh City) – is highly regarded by consumers for its quality, richness, and variety in packaging. The distinctively sweet taste of Dao Village’s honey leaves a lasting impression on anyone who has tried it.
In alignment with Project No. 07-DA/TU, issued by the Hoa Binh provincial Party Committee on November 1, 2021, Lac Thuy district has actively promoted investment and supported the sustainable development of its industrial and handicraft sectors during the 2021–2025 period. Alongside this, the district has remained committed to preserving and revitalising traditional craft villages.
Located in the northern part of Lac Thuy district, with a temperate climate and fertile soil, Phu Thanh commune has great potential and advantages in growing tea. The long-standing experience, combined with strict adherence to organic farming practices in the tea gardens, ensures that the dried tea products from Phu Thanh and Lac Thuy as a whole are sold out immediately upon production, providing a stable and prosperous life for the local people.
Amid efforts to streamline the administrative apparatus, Hoa Binh province has intensified measures to address challenges in land clearance, resettlement support, and infrastructure investment, aiming to speed up the progress of key projects.
Hoa Binh province has posted an unprecedented economic growth rate of 12.76% in the first quarter of 2025, marking its highest quarterly performance to date and positioning it as the second fastest-growing locality in the country, trailing only Bac Giang province.
Under current regulations, products in the One Commune – One Product (OCOP) programme that are rated three stars or higher must undergo re-evaluation every three months. However, in reality, some of these products fail to consistently meet the required standards, raising concerns about the sustainability of their OCOP certification. This underscores the urgent need for producers to enhance product quality and gradually develop their OCOP products into strong, marketable brands.
