Channels expand for OCOP product connection and consumption

On 29 September in Ha Noi, the Industry and Trade Newspaper coordinated with the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade to organise a conference titled “Connecting and Promoting the Consumption of OCOP Products”. The conference is expected to serve as an open forum where state management agencies, localities, industry associations, distribution enterprises, cooperatives, and OCOP entities share experiences and good models while discussing and proposing practical solutions to remove obstacles and boost the consumption of OCOP products in both domestic and international markets.

Speaking at the event, Bui Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development, stated that the “One Commune One Product (OCOP) Programme for the 2021–2025 Period” is a national programme aimed at developing local products, especially rural and craft-village products with distinctive cultural characteristics.

The programme also seeks to unlock rural regional potential and advantages, increase product value, develop industries and services, and link with digital transformation, the circular economy, cultural preservation and environmental protection in order to drive rural economic development and improve rural incomes.

Implemented synchronously nationwide during 2021–2025, and continuing the success of the previous phase, the programme has become one of the key solutions promoting rural economic development by leveraging local strengths, adding value, creating jobs, and raising people’s incomes.

OCOP products have affirmed their position in the domestic market and are gradually reaching international markets. These results reflect not only the efforts of localities, enterprises, and cooperatives, but also confirm the correctness of the policy of developing OCOP in association with new-style rural area building.

However, alongside these achievements, the programme still faces certain limitations and challenges, including limited state budget support; sales points being insufficiently promoted across media platforms; and a lack of websites, social media presence, and QR codes to introduce products, which restricts customer access.

In addition, there is a lack of linkages among sales points to form consumption chains, inadequate retail and customer-care skills, limited display space without product experience areas, many producers still operate on a small scale, and the capacity for innovation and quality improvement remains modest.

Therefore, in the time ahead, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will propose that the One Commune One Product Programme continue to be implemented synchronously and extensively, integrated with cultural and tourism experiences; strengthened in terms of infrastructure and human resources; and supported with the selection of OCOP sales points at potential locations such as tourist sites and rest stops.

The ministry will focus on consolidating and expanding the domestic distribution system for OCOP products, forming centres for introduction and sales in urban areas, tourist destinations, and international border gates.

At the same time, it will strongly develop e-commerce channels and apply digital transformation to bring OCOP products closer to consumers at home and abroad, meeting modern consumption trends; while promoting linkages between OCOP and exports, building market entry strategies for outstanding OCOP products, and supporting OCOP entities with standards, certification, and international trade promotion.

The programme will strive to increase the proportion of OCOP products rated four to five stars nationwide and in each locality, with development adapted to the two-tier local government structure; broaden participant engagement; expand connection and consumption channels; and link OCOP with tourism.

In addition, the programme also targets increased application of the digital economy in management, operation and e-commerce platforms; upgrading packaging, labelling, QR codes, traceability, and quality control; and developing OCOP products on a sustainable basis tied to environmental protection.

These orientations promise to make the One Commune One Product Programme not only a driver of rural economic development but also a national brand, contributing to affirming cultural identity, enhancing competitiveness, and raising the stature of Vietnamese products.