40 OCOP products meet 5-star standard in 2025

According to the announced results, of the 91 products submitted for evaluation in this round, 40 were recognized as meeting the 5-star standard. Two of Cat Hai fish sauce products have not yet been concluded, as further appraisal and verification of quality indicators are required before a final decision is made.

The recognized products span various sectors, with the majority in the food category, along with beverages, herbal products, and handicrafts. Many standout products are closely linked to distinctive raw material regions and local advantages, such as tea, coffee, honey, traditional fish sauce, and craft village products like embroidery and silk.

According to the Central Office for New Rural Coordination, the 91 applications in this round came from 18 provinces and cities, of which 72 products fall into the food category, reflecting OCOP's continued focus on leveraging agricultural strengths and local processing capabilities.

Most participating localities have previously submitted products at the national level, demonstrating proactive engagement and continuous improvement by OCOP entities.

Commenting on the quality of this round’s products, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam noted that a key highlight is that most products are produced and processed in connection with local raw material areas and unique regional advantages. This is an important factor in increasing added value and building a foundation for sustainable development.

In addition, many products have shown clear investment in design and packaging, while also leveraging local cultural values to build product identity and storytelling, thereby enhancing market accessibility.

He also assessed that most entities have basically met requirements regarding production processes and quality standards in line with national regulations. This is a necessary condition for OCOP products to expand into modern distribution channels and export markets.

However, the Central OCOP Council emphasized that achieving a 5-star certification is not the end point. Entities need to continue improving product quality and further explore cultural values and local resources to create differentiation.

In the context of administrative boundary changes in some localities, updating and standardizing geographical information and geographical indications on labels is also emphasized to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance.

The Deputy Minister also acknowledged that several products which previously did not meet standards have been improved based on the Council’s feedback and, upon re-submission, were recognized as 5-star this time, demonstrating significant efforts by enterprises and cooperatives in enhancing product quality.

He expressed expectations that OCOP 5-star products will continue to strengthen their brand and quality reputation, gradually affirming their position not only in the domestic market but also internationally, where Vietnamese OCOP products have begun to gain presence and acceptance.

After eight years of implementing the One Commune One Product (OCOP) Program, Vietnam has over 20,000 products rated 3 stars or higher, including 126 products achieving 5 stars. There are 10,615 OCOP entities, of which 32.3% are cooperatives, 25.4% are small enterprises, 39.5% are production facilities/household businesses, and the remainder are cooperative groups.

The Red River Delta leads with 32.3% of the country’s total OCOP products, followed by the Mekong Delta at 22.2%, the South Central Coast and Central Highlands at 18%, the Northern mountainous region at 15.9%, and the Southeast region at the lowest share of 6.5%.

In terms of structure, food products account for the largest share at 78.3%, followed by handicrafts at 9.1%, beverages at 8.3%, and other product groups making up the remainder.

The program not only enhances the value of rural products but also promotes production restructuring toward value chain linkage, expands market access, and creates more jobs in rural areas.

It also encourages entrepreneurship and the development of new trades and commercial services in rural areas. During the 2021-2025 period, more than 70,000 officials and OCOP entities were trained, and nearly 22,000 new jobs were created.

On December 11, 2025, the National Assembly issued Resolution No. 257/2025/QH15 approving the investment policy for the National Target Program on New Rural Development, Sustainable Poverty Reduction, and Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the 2026-2035 period.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has been assigned to lead, in coordination with ministries, sectors, and localities, the drafting of a decision by the Prime Minister on the criteria and procedures for evaluating and classifying OCOP products. This is expected to be submitted for approval by the end of April 2026.