Turning local specialties into OCOP products

When it comes to Hung Xuyen Commune in Doan Hung District, two iconic specialties immediately come to mind: black sticky rice and sour grapefruit. These time-honored agricultural products have been cultivated by local residents for generations and are now being developed into signature items under the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program.

Black sticky rice is a well-known specialty of Hung Xuyen Commune.

The OCOP program has been widely implemented across all localities in the province, elevating traditional products and expanding their reach. In Hung Xuyen Commune, black sticky rice has long been cherished and preserved by local farmers. According to residents, this variety is particularly distinctive—its milled grains are plump, fragrant, and naturally sweet. Once cooked, the rice yields shiny, white, and sticky grains. Even when cold, the texture remains pleasantly chewy. There’s no need to add beans or coconut for flavor—its cool, rich aroma is enough to leave a lasting impression on anyone who tries it.

For generations, during each harvest season, families have set aside plots of land specifically for cultivating black Khoai sticky rice. During holidays and Tet, it is used to prepare traditional dishes and offered as sacred food in ancestral worship. Recognizing both the cultural value and economic potential of this crop, local authorities in 2021 encouraged growers to establish the Hung Xuyen Grapefruit and General Services Cooperative. Since its founding, the cooperative has focused on producing black sticky rice using organic and eco-friendly practices. By adopting modern techniques—reducing fertilizer and irrigation use and controlling pests sustainably—farmers have continued to produce high-quality crops with stable yields.

The cooperative also serves as a key hub for purchasing, processing, and distributing products for its members and the broader community.

Black sticky rice has been certified as a 3-star OCOP product.

In 2023, with the goal of further developing the Hung Xuyen black sticky rice brand, the cooperative submitted the product for quality evaluation under the OCOP program. The resulting certification marked a turning point, offering opportunities for broader market access both within and beyond the province. As recognition grew, so did consumer demand—leading to an expansion in the cultivation area. Currently, Hung Xuyen has 30 hectares under black sticky rice cultivation, yielding 30 tons annually and generating nearly VND 1 billion in revenue. The crop also provides stable employment for many local workers. This contributes not only to preserving a traditional product but also to fostering local economic development.

Mr. Vu Anh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Hung Xuyen Commune People’s Committee, shared, “To develop our agricultural products into distinguished OCOP items, the local government has encouraged residents to expand the cultivation area for black sticky rice. We are planning large-scale fields concentrated in the Doan Ket area to streamline care and harvesting. At the same time, we’re regularly organizing training courses in science and technology to guide farmers in high-yield, quality-focused cultivation. We’re also investing in appealing packaging, promotion campaigns, and market outreach to increase visibility. Moreover, we’re diversifying processed products—from sticky rice to banh chung and other rice-based cakes.”

The development of grapefruit cultivation is contributing to Hung Xuyen’s socio-economic growth.

Alongside black sticky rice, Hung Xuyen is also developing its signature sour grapefruit—another OCOP product—through the same cooperative.

According to Mr. Vu Hai Do, Director of the Hung Xuyen Grapefruit and General Services Cooperative, “Doan Hung District is well known for sweet grapefruit. However, between the 15th day of the seventh lunar month and the 15th of the eighth, sweet grapefruit is not yet ready for harvest. During that time, sour grapefruit becomes a beloved local gift. That’s why we decided to make sour grapefruit a flagship crop for both the cooperative and the commune.”

Hung Xuyen residents tending their grapefruit trees.

Currently, Hung Xuyen has around 10 hectares of grapefruit orchards—mostly mature trees with steady yields. On average, each hectare produces about 14 tons of fruit, selling at approximately VND 20,000 per fruit. This translates to about VND 80 million in annual income per cooperative member. Hung Xuyen sour grapefruit, like its sticky rice counterpart, has also achieved a 3-star OCOP rating.

From humble agricultural roots, black sticky rice and Hung Xuyen sour grapefruit have now earned national recognition under the OCOP brand. These accomplishments reflect the tireless efforts of local Party Committees, government authorities, and the united will of the people. Together, they have laid a strong foundation for transforming hometown specialties into sustainable livelihoods—and a path toward prosperity.

Vinh Ha