Yen Thuy OCOP: from local agricultural products to staple goods

4/4/2025 - 1:49:35 PM

In 2019, the "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) programme took root in Yen Thuy district. At the time, local products lacked branding, packaging, and labels, mostly sold in raw form through small-scale distribution. However, amid these challenges was a crucial advantage: farmers' willingness to change, experiment with standardised processes, and learn to package and price products based on value, not just weight.

Herbal products from the Yen Tri Agricultural Cooperative displayed at Trinh Cong Son walking street, Tay Ho, Hanoi, receive a warm welcome from consumers.

Initially, only a few products from Yen Thuy were registered under OCOP, primarily tea, honey, mushroom, and 'xa den' leaves staples in the daily life of the local Muong people.

With support from the administration, cooperatives, and national programmes, Yen Thuy had 23 certified OCOP products by the end of 2024. Among them, four achieved a four-star rating, and 19 received three-star rating. While modest compared to major agricultural regions, this marked a significant milestone for a mountainous district facing natural disadvantages.

If one product symbolises Yen Thuy's OCOP journey, it is xa den leaves. Once a wild plant used in traditional remedies, xa den is now a certified three-star OCOP product under the Yen Tri Agricultural Cooperative.

The transformation began with a field survey in Yen Tri commune, where agricultural cadres discovered that local xa den had exceptionally high flavonoid content. Unlocking its full value required more than traditional harvesting methods.

A detailed 300-page development plan was created, leading to the November 2024 approval of the "Development of OCOP Herbal Products Linked to Local Raw Material Areas in Yen Tri Commune" project.

With a total investment of 25.167 billion VND (977,000 USD), including 11.5 billion VND from central funds, 9.6 billion VND from the provincial and district budgets, and the remainder from cooperatives and farmers, the project established structured cultivation areas, trained farmers in Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP-WHO), and integrated local products into the national herbal industry.

Beyond xa den, other notable products include red reishi mushrooms, herbal tea, wild honey, and lemongrass essential oil, all leveraging the district's limestone-mountain ecosystem. Improved packaging, QR code traceability, and online sales via platforms like Postmart and Voso have expanded market reach. These efforts contributed to Yen Thuy's economic growth. In 2024, per capita income rose to 62 million VND (up 10 million VND from 2023), while the poverty rate fell below 4%.

Bui Huyen, Vice Chairman of the Yen Thuy District People's Committee, said that for Yen Thuy, OCOP is not just about an economic story. It revives local heritage and instills pride in local people about their native products. It’s when a bundle of green tea is carefully wrapped in handmade paper, a jar of wild honey is labeled with a local brand, or a bottle of lemongrass essential oil is packaged with a heartfelt note. Once unknown in village markets, these products now lead the way for a modern countryside.

No one expected Yen Thuy to become a major OCOP hub, but transformation here is not driven by calculations, it is fueled by hardworking hands and genuine dreams. This enduring motivation ensures that each product carries the essence of the land and the spirit of the village.

Rich and Flavorful Honey of Dao Village

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.

Lac Thuy district prioritises resources for industrial, handicraft development

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.

Phu Thanh implements organic practices in tea production

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.

Hoa Binh works hard to accelerate progress of key projects

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 achieves record-breaking economic growth in Q1

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.

Hoa Binh focuses on building strong OCOP brands for sustainable growth

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.