Over the years, collective economy with cooperatives as the core has affirmed its role and position in paving the way for the building of new-style rural areas in Hoa Binh.
Hop Tien forest honey product by Green Life Cooperative in Hop Tien commune, Kim Boi district, which has been rated three star in the One Commune-One Product (OCOP) programme, is introduced during a project to improve livelihood opportunities for youngsters from ethnic minority groups held by Aide et Action Vietnam.
Quyet Chien commune of Tan Lac district, which is home to massive vegetable and chayote farms, has established Quyet Chien Cooperative. Bui Van Hoang, a local farmer, said that each year, after joining the cooperative, he earns 80-120 million VND (3,284-4,926 USD) from each hectare of chayote farm.
Along with guiding local farmers in cultivating safe vegetable, Quyet Chien Cooperative, which has so far had 50 members, has support them in selling their products and applying science and technology in off-season vegetable growing to earn higher income.
Meanwhile, in Doc Lap commune of Hoa Binh city, Doc Lap Cooperative was formed in November 2020 with an initial membership of 10. So far, the cooperative has drawn 50 local households who raise goats and grow winter melon. It has assist local farmers in selling about 2,000 tonnes of winter melon per year.
Nguyen Thu Thu Huong, a local in Song village of Doc Lap commune, said that as a member of the cooperative, her family has received five breeding goats and goat raising guidance. Each breeding goat can give birth to three baby goats each year, she said, stressing that the model has greatly supported her family in stabilising their livelihood.
Stable cooperatives and models of production combined with product selling are among criteria for a new-style rural area.
Recognising the significance of cooperative economic establishment, over the eyars, Hoa Binh has effectively implemented plans, programmes and policies to support this economic sector.
Statistics from the provincial Steering Committee for Cooperative Economic Development showed that currently, Hoa Binh has 639 cooperative economic establishments that are operating stably, drawing more than 16,000 members. This year, the average revenue of each cooperative is about 1.54 billion VND, that of a people’s credit fund at 19.2 billion VND and of a cooperative group 201.5 million VND.
Nguyen An Dinh, Chairman of the provincial Cooperative Alliance, said that in the time to come, the province will strengthen communications, consultations and support policies in order to form new cooperatives and enhance the operational efficiency of operating ones, especially in communes that have yet to complete the new-style rural area building programme at all levels.
At the same time, the province will continue to guide localities to build modern cooperatives with linkage in production, business and product selling, while providing optimal conditions for cooperatives to access development support policies.
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.
