(HBO) - Implementing the One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme, Hung Thi commune in Lac Thuy district has stepped up the dissemination of information to encourage local people to actively respond to the programme, and creates favourable conditions for owners to build and develop their products based on local potential and advantages. Currently, the commune is completing a dossier to turn Hung Thi forest honey into the first 3-star OCOP product of the locality.
Pham Van Toan, Director of Pham An farm produce cooperative in Hung Thi commune inspects the process of beekeeping for honey of member households.
The Pham An farm produce cooperative has 25 member households, mainly engaging in agricultural production, of which, more than 10 have many years of experience in beekeeping for honey. They are raising more than 700 colonies of honey bees, with an average yield of 7 quintals to 1 tonne of honey each time.
Pham Van Toan, director of the cooperative, said realising the potential and possibility of developing forest honey in Hung Thi commune, the cooperative decided to invest in developing it into an OCOP product. Through the district's support in science and technology, the cooperative promulgated a common production process for member households requiring them to commit to ensuring the quality of forest honey and food safety. Currently, the cooperative has completed necessary procedures, and is submitting the product to the district for appraisal and evaluation. The district People's Committee has also supported the cooperative to complete the design, packaging, and traceability stamp in accordance with 3-star OCOP product standards.
In addition to forest honey, Hung Thi commune is building a plan to turn lemongrass essential oil into its second OCOP product.
Luong Van Dong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hung Thi commune, said that determining the biggest goal of the OCOP programme is to awaken local advantages to create special products, in the implementation plan, the commune has selected products with potential for development and available advantages. Through the assessment, there are two products: forest honey and lemongrass essential oil, as more than 70% of the commune's agricultural land are hills, and the commune also has a club of skilled beekeepers, and more than 40 hectares of lemongrass plantation./.
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.
