After more than 5 years of implementing the "One Commune One Product" (OCOP) program, Lai Chau has better exploited the local potential and advantages, contributing to the development of commodity production and increasing the value of agricultural products. To date, the whole province has 191 OCOP products still within the certification period of 98 entities, of which 13 products achieved 4 stars.
The province has supported stakeholders in standardizing production processes, perfecting packaging, building brands, tracing origins and expanding markets. Through this, many products have gradually gained a foothold, contributing to changing production thinking from experience to standard production, taking quality as the foundation.
Than Uyen commune currently has 27 OCOP products, including 3 4-star products and 24 3-star products. Promoting the advantages of high-quality rice material areas, products such as Seng Cu rice, plain round rice and processed agricultural products contribute to increasing the value of rice grains.
Dung Long One Member Limited Liability Company is one of the typical entities. The enterprise has 5 rice products recognized as OCOP, built a 22ha raw material area, and linked with farmers in Than Uyen, Pac Ta and Muong Kim. Each year, about 400 tons of rice are brought to the market, of which the product is present at the GO! supermarket system and many clean food stores in Hanoi.
In Tan Uyen commune, the Former Youth Volunteer Cooperative has 2 OCOP products from macadamia. The cooperative invests in developing raw material areas, linking purchasing, processing, packaging completion, labeling and brand building. According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Cat, Director of the Cooperative, the OCOP certification creates opportunities to promote and expand the market, but to maintain consumer confidence, the unit must continuously improve quality and improve products.
However, OCOP recognition is only the first step. By the end of 2025, the whole province has 57 products that have expired but have not been re-evaluated or reclassified. Small production scale, limited resources, while increasing market demands are creating pressure for businesses and cooperatives.
The province is promoting trade promotion, advertising, and connecting consumption through fairs, OCOP weekly goods, supermarkets, clean food stores and e-commerce platforms. At the same time, focusing on developing raw material areas, applying science and technology, digital transformation and brand building.
According to the target for the 2026-2030 period, Lai Chau strives to maintain and develop over 300 OCOP products that achieve 3 stars or higher, of which at least 50 products are 4 stars; over 70% of products are re-evaluated and reclassified and more than 10% are upgraded. About 80% of OCOP subjects will participate in modern sales channels, 100% of products apply traceability systems according to regulations.
To make OCOP a brand with Lai Chau identity, the entities need to continue to innovate thinking, maintain quality, increase production linkages, apply technology and proactively adapt to the market.
