Currently, farmers in Kim Boi district are busy harvesting various types of melon, such as honeydew melon, cucumber, and watermelon. The cultivation of these plants has so far helped farmers maximise land use, enhance production value per unit area, and contribute to the restructuring of local crops.

Farmers from Sao Bay commune sell melons along a national
highway.
These days, local growers are working hard to reap the fruit
of their labour. In addition to wholesale, they sell melons at local markets
and roadside stalls. Favourable prices have been recorded, with watermelons
sold for 10,000-15,000 VND (0.4-0.6 USD) per kg, and cucumbers and honeydew
melons for 12,000-15,000 VND per kg.
According to the Kim Boi Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development, this spring crop saw over 52 hectares of watermelons, nearly 300
hectares of cucumbers, and over 52 hectares of honeydew melons planted. Their
plantations concentrate in the communes of Du Sang, Vinh Dong, Sao Bay, Nam
Thuong, and Kim Lap. Harvesting progress now varies from 50-80%, with the rate
for cucumbers topping, at over 80%.
In recent years, Vinh Dong commune has seen many households
opting to plant cucumber. Its cultivation is relatively simple and it can bring
about higher income than rice, with stable market demand. Bui Thi Anh, a
resident in Chieng hamlet in Vinh Dong, said: "This season, my family grew
over 1,000 square meters of cucumber As soon as we harvest, traders and locals
buy them immediately."
Deputy Director of the department Nguyen Thi Minh Anh noted
that these crops suit the local soil and climate, therefore, the district
encourages farmers to actively shift crop structure to maximise land use and
increase income. This year’s early hot weather has boosted melon consumption as
they are sought-after for summer cooling.
According to her, from the beginning of the season, the
district collaborated with specialists to train farmers in melon cultivation
and caring techniques toward the best yields and quality. However, due to the
lack of a product purchasing unit, melons are still retailed, resulting in
unstable prices. Moving forward, the district will encourage growers to
continue maintaining their growing areas and advise them to avoid overplanting
to prevent oversupply and subsequent price drops, thus negatively impacting
their livelihoods.
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.