(HBO) – The 2023 mountainous market fair in Hoa Binh province with the theme "Market fair – the beauty of the mountainous region” opened at Mai Chau district Stadium on October 3. Nguyen Thi Cam Phuong, Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People's Council, Nguyen Van Toan and Nguyen Van Chuong, Vice Chairmen of the provincial People's Committee attended the event along with leaders of departments, agencies, districts and cities well as local residents and tourists.
Leaders of the provincial People's Council, People's Committee and departments and agencies of Mai Chau district cut the ribbons to open the 2023 mountainous market fair in Hoa Binh province.
In his opening remarks, Nguyen Van Chuong, Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, head of the event’s organising board, said the market is an indispensable traditional cultural activity in local residents' life.
The market is not only a place to sell and exchange local products, but also a rendezvous among ethnic groups, a place where spiritual values and unique cultural beauty of each region converge, he said, adding that it helps preserve and spread good traditional cultural values in terms of customs, cuisine, costumes, unique cultural activities and folk games of ethnic minorities in Hoa Binh province.
The market, which lasts until October 7, aims to strengthen trade and tourism promotion activities, introducing products of one commune one product (OCOP) programme and other typical agricultural produce of the province, Chuong said.
It is also a place for businesses, cooperatives and people to meet, exchange, buy and sell goods as well as seek partners, expand business activities and consumption markets, actively contributing to promoting sustainable socio-economic development, he went on.
The market comprises 10 areas, including a stage; a space for booths introducing OCOP (one commune one product) agricultural products and typical commodities of the province; another of the Centre for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion introducing local potential and strengths, booths of Tan Lac, Cao Phong, Lac Son and Mai Chau districts; a culinary area; rural market; an outdoor playing space; and a commercial booth area and a number of other auxiliary areas.
At the market fair, there are brocade weaving demonstrations, traditional folk games such as nhay sap (dancing with bamboo poles), cultural exchanges and art performances.
The products displayed and sold at the mountainous market are typical goods of the locality that meet requirements in terms of quality, design, food safety and origin.
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.
