Hoa Binh carves out a distinct spot on Vietnam’s new service map

5/7/2025 - 6:10:07 PM

Over the past three years, the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh has begun redefining its position on Vietnam’s service landscape with a series of distintive commercial models, from highland night markets, pedestrian-friendly streets, to logistics centres tied to local agricultural products.

Vi Hoa Binh supermarket in Tan Thinh ward is one of the first established in Hoa Binh city, playing a key role in boosting the province’s overall retail sales.

In Q1 2025, Hoa Binh’s total retail sales and consumer service revenue reached an estimated 20.1 trillion VND (804 million USD), up 13.7% year-on-year, the highest in three years. This rebound in domestic consumption has spurred notable momentum across local trade and service sectors.

In the urban core of Hoa Binh city, a new model combining commercial and tourism streets is taking shape, with specialised shops, eateries, and beverage outlets replacing once-closed storefronts.

Transformation is also visible in rural areas. Cao Phong market, once known for small-scale, fragmented trading, now boasts dedicated One Commune, One Product (OCOP) item counters, QR code scanning points, and even cashless POS terminals. E-commerce is steadily taking root, as the province continues to operate its own digital marketplace, despite challenges related to seasonal supply and product diversity.

The province welcomed 1.65 million tourists in Q1 2025, a 5.8% rise year-on-year, generating 1.68 trillion VND in revenue. Particularly notable was the sharp rise in international visitors, reaching 230,000 arrivals, reflecting the early success of Hoa Bình’s outreach and promotional campaigns abroad.

Key programmes, such as the development of Hoa Binh Lake National Tourist Area, partnerships with Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, and digital transformation in travel and accommodation, have given the local service sector a powerful boost. Young entrepreneurs and ethnic communities are increasingly venturing into tourism with offerings like Muong village homestays and self-guided trekking tours.

Despite these gains, Hoa Binh still faces challenges, including a relatively small market size, limited logistics infrastructure, and underperforming e-commerce platforms. Nonetheless, the province is moving with clear intent. The local People’s Committee has released a 2025 tourism development plan and is preparing a support framework for 2026–2030, with a strong focus on digital transformation in consumption and trade.

Duong Quoc Thang, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, stressed the need for a distinctive trade network and services rooted in local identity, designed first and foremost for Hoa Binh residents, before reaching outward to visitors and broader markets.

Lac Thuy district advances agriculture in tandem with new-style countryside development

With a focus on cash crop farming with science - technology application and brand building, Lac Thuy district is gradually increasing production value, improving people's life quality, and laying the foundation for sustainable socio-economic development.

“A 4.0-Era Farmer Championing Green Agriculture”

In recent years, the economic development model "Hoa Binh Earthworm Farm” run by Mr. Bui Van Dang in Co Giua Hamlet, My Thanh Commune (Lac Son district) has not only brought stable economic value but it is also environmentally friendly, helping to protect and reduce pollution, contributing to the construction of a green and sustainable agriculture.

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.