Quang Ninh’s OCOP program sets its sights on the global market

After more than a decade of implementing the One Commune, One Product (OCOP) program, Quang Ninh province has built a strong reputation for the quality and identity of its local products. The province has taken bold steps to elevate select OCOP items to national 5-star standardsm, aiming to bring them to international markets. 

Building brands with local roots

The OCOP program was first piloted in Quang Ninh alongside the national rollout in 2012. The province has embraced a people-centered approach that quickly gained traction in rural communities. Many of its OCOP products have since earned the trust of consumers both within and beyond the province.

Notable examples include yellow camellia tea, oyster floss, Ha Long squid cakes, Van Don sipunculus fish sauce, Binh Lieu glass noodles, and Tien Yen cajeput essential oil.

Beyond growing the number of products, Quang Ninh has prioritized building strong, competitive brands  particularly 5-star OCOP products, which serve as the province’s flagships on both the national and global stage. Among them is Ba Che yellow camellia tea, developed by Dap Thanh Forestry Trading JSC and certified as a national 5-star OCOP product in 2024. The recognition is a point of pride for the company and a clear validation of the province’s direction in tapping local resources and medicinal herbs to create high-value, distinctive offerings.

Known as the “queen of teas,” yellow camellia has long been prized for its health benefits including antioxidant support, cholesterol reduction, blood pressure regulation, and immune system enhancement. In Ba Che, the plant grows abundantly in the region’s biodiverse forests. Dap Thanh Company has invested in large-scale organic cultivation and modern processing facilities that meet international standards such as HACCP and ISO 22000. The tea is freeze-dried to retain its nutrients and presented in elegant packaging for premium markets. It is now widely distributed domestically and exported, delivering strong economic returns for local communities.

“Achieving 5-star national certification is a major milestone,” said Ninh Van Trang, the company’s director. “We see a sustainable future in linking this product to Ba Che’s unique forest ecosystem, supporting both economic development and environmental preservation.” He added that the company plans to expand organic farming areas, enhance production standards, and develop a closed-loop value chain, from seedlings and farming to processing, retail, and tourism to raise the tea’s value and secure long-term livelihoods for local growers.

Another 5-star success story comes from Quang Vinh Ceramic Co., Ltd., which recently introduced two products recognized at the national level: the Fortune Vase and the Four Seasons Flowing-Glaze Vase Set. The Fortune Vase, with its flared mouth, narrow neck, and full-bodied form, is not only a popular feng shui item but also the result of extensive research into high-quality ceramic materials. Made from a refined blend of rare clays  including Dong Trieu white kaolin and fired at 1,300°C in low-oxygen kilns, each vase features a signature Vietnamese glaze developed in-house. The flowing glaze creates delicate, stream-like patterns that make each piece truly one of a kind.

The Four Seasons Vase Set is another showcase of the company’s artistry and innovation. Each vase represents a season and combines color, shape, and glaze to capture the beauty of nature through a refined, artistic lens. The dynamic, flowing glaze evokes the feel of traditional ink wash paintings while maintaining a contemporary appeal. Fired at high temperatures, the vases boast outstanding durability, smoothness, and fine detail, ensuring they meet the demands of both domestic and global consumers.

“Our 5-star OCOP certification is a source of great pride. It affirms the cultural and artistic value of Dong Trieu pottery,” said company representative Tran Thanh Nghi. “We are committed to developing products that blend aesthetics, functionality, and Vietnamese spirit.” Looking ahead, the company plans to invest further in research, modernize its designs, and adopt advanced production technologies. It is also building a roadmap to expand exports to Asia and Europe, while diversifying product lines to cater to a wider range of consumers.

Reaching for new heights

To date, Quang Ninh has developed 435 OCOP products rated three stars or higher including eight with national 5-star status. These include three pearl sets (Akoya, South Sea, and Tahiti) by Ha Long Pearl JSC; Quy Hoa yellow camellia tea; Ba Che yellow camellia tea; the Fortune Vase and Four Seasons Vase Set from Quang Vinh Ceramics; and Binh Lieu glass noodles. These products are notable not only for their quality but also for their cultural depth, regional identity, and market potential both at home and abroad.

Rather than focusing purely on numbers, the province is now investing in raising product quality  with a target of producing 15 to 20 additional 5-star OCOP products by 2030. It is prioritizing items derived from native resources such as yellow camellia, sipunculus, oyster floss, and mineral water. Producers are being supported in developing raw material areas that meet VietGAP and organic standards to ensure traceability and prepare for market upgrades. Facilities are also being modernized with closed-loop, eco-friendly production lines.

At the same time, Quang Ninh is enhancing its product branding, from packaging and labeling to storytelling to build trust and attract high-end consumers. The province has issued 1,339 OCOP system accounts (including 236 for administrators and 1,103 for operators) and more than 2,600 QR codes for agricultural and seafood products. All 3- to 5-star OCOP items are now listed on major e-commerce platforms such as Postmart, Voso, and Shopee.

Trade promotion efforts have also been scaled up. In just the first half of 2025, the province organized the Provincial OCOP Fair and participated in over 20 trade events connecting producers with buyers both at home and abroad. These efforts effectively help OCOP products gain broader visibility and market access.

With clear goals and strategic focus, Quang Ninh has identified high-potential products for in-depth development while linking the OCOP program to tourism, e-commerce, clean food supply chains, and sustainable exports. In doing so, the province is steadily building a globally recognized OCOP brand rooted in local heritage, elevated through innovation, and ready to compete on the world stage.