Asserting the Prestige of OCOP Products

By leveraging natural advantages alongside timely and synchronized support policies, the province’s OCOP (One Commune, One Product) offerings are increasingly asserting their market position. This initiative has not only enhanced the value of agricultural produce and created sustainable livelihoods for rural residents but also became a vital driver for commodity agriculture, cultural preservation, and the expansion of local tourism.

Tam Dao Bee JSC (Honeco) supplies a wide range of high-quality honey products to the market.

The province currently boasts 503 3-star OCOP products, 100 4-star products, and 6 national 5-star products. This achievement has provided stable employment for over 5,000 rural workers, fostering a shift from traditional subsistence farming to high-quality commodity production. The continued promotion of the OCOP program is expected to revitalize traditional craft villages and build sustainable local brands.

In reality, many provincial OCOP products have established a solid foothold in the market, such as Doan Hung pomelo, Hung Lo rice noodles, Thanh Son sour meat, Lap Thach red-flesh dragon fruit, and Tam Dao honey. Beyond their economic value, these products serve as ambassadors for the image, cultural identity, and culinary heritage of the people and land of Phu Tho.

Parallel to quality enhancement, the province focuses on modern market access. By accelerating digital transformation, products are now featured on e-commerce platforms and utilize QR code traceability and social media marketing. This has allowed OCOP products to transcend traditional boundaries, reaching consumers in major metropolitan areas and provinces nationwide, thereby reducing dependency on local traders and seasonal fluctuations.

Furthermore, many localities have integrated OCOP development with agritourism. Combining tours of raw material areas and production facilities with the promotion of signature specialties has opened a new growth direction for the rural economy, increasing income for the community while enhancing cultural values.

A pioneer in this movement is Tam Dao Bee JSC (Honeco). The company currently holds 14 4-star OCOP certifications and is proposing 4 products for 5-star national recognition. In 2025, Honeco supplied approximately 130 tons of finished honey, accounting for over 10% of the national honey retail market share, with 60 tons exported to demanding markets such as Singapore, South Korea, and Japan.

Ms. Le Thi Nga, General Director of Honeco, shared: "We build our brand on a steadfast commitment to quality and transparency. We have invested in a processing plant meeting GMP and FSSC 22000 standards with a capacity of 500 tons per month, alongside an international-standard laboratory to ensure strict control from raw materials to finished products."

Honeco has also diversified its portfolio by combining honey with local herbs and fruits to meet the “natural and safe” consumer trend. Notable products include Tacurmin (turmeric honey), Cordyceps Royal Jelly, and Passion fruit honey. To maintain its position, Honeco continues to invest in processing technology and packaging refinement, especially for OCOP products catering to the tourism sector.

Ultimately, the OCOP program has sparked a significant shift in agricultural mindsets—moving from fragmented production to value chain linkages measured by quality and market demand. With the active involvement of authorities and the proactivity of enterprises and cooperatives, Phu Tho’s OCOP products are poised to not only dominate the domestic market but also reach further into the international arena, contributing significantly to the province’s New Rural Development goals.

Tran Tinh