From products once known only within their localities, the OCOP programme is helping unlock the potential of Quang Ninh’s rural economy. Beyond improving quality and building brands, OCOP is encouraging local people to adopt new approaches to production, expand markets and increase the value of local agricultural products.
In 2013, Quang Ninh was the first locality nationwide to implement the OCOP program. To date, the city has 437 OCOP products rated three-star or higher, including 16 national five-star OCOP products, 95 four-star products and 326 three-star products. In the first six months of 2026 alone, eight more products earned the national five-star rating.
OCOP has helped Quang Ninh develop 184 professional production entities that focus on technology, quality standards, packaging and traceability. Currently, 1,352 of the 1,576 agricultural, forestry and aquatic products (85.7%) carry traceability codes, and nearly 100% of OCOP products feature QR codes. Around 1,100ha of crops are grown under safe production standards, while more than 322 hectares are VietGAP-certified. 33 planting areas covering more than 800ha have been granted codes. Together, these certified and traceable production areas provide a foundation for stable production chains, higher value for agricultural products and the ability to meet increasingly stringent market demands.
After more than a decade of implementation, the OCOP programme has generated stable employment for over 2,500 rural workers. Consequently, the program's value lies not only in its rated products, but also in its capacity to create livelihoods, boost production, and retain economic value in rural areas.
Entering the 2026-2030 period, Quang Ninh is reorienting agricultural production towards higher quality, greater product value and stronger market competitiveness. According to Deputy Director of the Quang Ninh Department of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Khac Dung, the city further develops the OCOP programm through standardization, multi-value development, digital transformation, and sustainable development. Focus will be placed on raw material areas meeting required standards, more advanced processing, branding, market expansion, and enhanced quality control. By 2030, Quang Ninh aims to have an additional 180-200 OCOP products rated three-star or higher, including approximately 10 five-star products. The goal is not simply to have more products recognised, but gradually turning OCOP into a driving force for the rural economy, linked with the green economy, culture and tourism..
