Yen Thuy district is actively implementing a comprehensive range of measures to develop its One Commune One Product (OCOP) product offerings. Currently, the district boasts four 4-star and 17 3-star products under the programme. A standout among them is the 4-star ca gai leo (Solanum trilobatum Linn) glue product, which has steadily expanded its presence in both local and regional markets.
Leaders of the Yen Thuy People's Committee visit the nursery of the Bao Hieu Ca Gai Leo Agro-Forestry Cooperative.
According to Bui Quy Hoi, Director of the Bao Hieu Ca Gai Leo Agro-Forestry Cooperative, in early 2015, as part of a poverty reduction programme, ca gai leo, a medicinal plant used in the treatment of various type of diseases, was introduced to Da Phuc commune. Suitable to local soils, the crop thrived, and residents quickly expanded cultivation areas. However, hasty expansion without a specific plan led to unstable outlets and price pressures, with costs sometimes dropping to below 10,000 VND per kg. Therefore, local farmers began uprooting the crop.
"At the end of 2015, I decided to mobilise households in the commune to establish a cooperative specialising in growing the herbal plant. In January 2016, the Bao Hieu Agro-Forestry Cooperative was established,” Hoi said. Pressing issues facing the crop were gradually addressed. From nine members at first, the cooperative has expanded its membership to 100, with the members now involved in a linked cultivation model across more than 40ha in Bao Hieu and Da Phuc communes.
The cooperative researched and produced its glue product, which boasts a longer shelf life. The herb has various uses, such as detoxifying the liver, lowering liver enzymes, relieving alcohol effects, assisting in treating liver inflammation Type B, fatty liver and fatty blood diseases, back pain, fatigue, and sore throat.
At the provincial OCOP product evaluation conference in 2019, the product claimed a 3-star rating. In 2021, it was accredited with meeting the 4-star standard.
Hoi noted that the product has been trademarked and is available in foreign markets like China, Russia, and Thailand, receiving high praise. The annual profit from it hit between 1.5 and 2.5 billion VND (61,589 – 102,648 USD). The average monthly income is 11.5 million VND per member.
In addition to the efforts of its members, the cooperative has received support from the Yen Thuy authorities, helping its product firmly establish a position in the market.
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.
