HCMC to host Viet Nam OCOP Festival 2026 with 350 booths

The Viet Nam OCOP Festival 2026 is expected to bring together around 350 booths, with the participation of all 34 provinces and centrally governed cities, creating a platform to promote OCOP products, foster trade connections, accelerate digital transformation and the green economy, and expand market opportunities both domestically and internationally.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee have recently developed a coordinated plan to organize the Viet Nam OCOP Festival 2026. The four-day event is scheduled to take place from December 3 to 6, 2026, on Nguyen Hue Walking Street in Sai Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, under the theme: “Innovation from Tradition - Breaking Through to the Future.”

According to the plan, the Viet Nam OCOP Festival 2026 will be organized under an “Open Space – Multi-functional – Integrated Experience” model, covering an area of approximately 3,200 square meters, equivalent to around 350 standard booths. The spaces will be designed for product displays, demonstrations and promotion, while also showcasing rural tourism and the cultural values of different regions.

The “Essence of Vietnamese Localities” space will feature at least 200 booths, including OCOP areas representing all 34 provinces and centrally governed cities, a dedicated Ho Chi Minh City OCOP area, spaces for demonstrating and introducing OCOP handicraft products, as well as decorative landscapes, flowers and ornamental plants.

Meanwhile, the “Innovative and Globally Integrated OCOP” space will comprise at least 150 booths, focusing on export-oriented OCOP products, green OCOP and digital transformation, as well as rural tourism demonstrations, cultural experiences and beverages. The area will also showcase high-tech OCOP products, traceability models, branding solutions, e-commerce and OCOP start-up and innovation spaces.

The festival will go beyond product displays by promoting direct connections between OCOP producers and businesses, distributors, retail systems, e-commerce platforms and investors. Its outcomes will be measured through indicators such as visitor numbers, the number of business-matching sessions and transaction values.

A highlight will be the Viet Nam OCOP Product Competition, expected to feature around 68 products. Eligible entries will include outstanding and distinctive OCOP products that have been recognized with four-star ratings or show potential to achieve five-star status. Evaluation will prioritize innovation in product concepts, packaging and design, as well as uniqueness linked to each product’s story.

In addition, the OCOP and Green Economy – Net Zero Forum will focus on issues such as green OCOP development, emissions reduction, the circular economy, exports and digital transformation. The forum will also facilitate business matching between OCOP producers and businesses, distributors, retail systems, e-commerce platforms and investors, with the expected signing of agreements to promote OCOP product trade.

The festival will also bring digital commerce directly into the program through the “Viet Nam OCOP Livestream Festival.” Livestream sessions will showcase and sell products across categories including food, beverages, herbal products and handicrafts, while also honoring outstanding OCOP producers and businesses on TikTok Shop.

According to Vu Ngoc Dang, Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Sub-Department of Rural Development, incorporating green economy, digital transformation and Net Zero into the Festival program reflects a new development direction for the OCOP Program. The focus is no longer solely on product quality and ratings, but also on sustainable development, emissions reduction, technology adoption and increasing value added throughout the production, processing and consumption chain.

Alongside trade promotion activities, the Festival will feature cultural and artistic performances, cultural experiences, handicraft demonstrations, rural tourism and culinary activities. These programs will help tell the stories behind OCOP products and showcase the distinctive cultural values of different regions across Viet Nam.

For Ho Chi Minh City, hosting the Viet Nam OCOP Festival 2026 not only reinforces its role as the country’s leading center for economic activity, trade, services and innovation, but also provides an opportunity to promote outstanding OCOP products, urban agricultural products, traditional craft villages and rural tourism models to localities, businesses, international organizations and visitors.

Through the Festival, Ho Chi Minh City will have further opportunities to introduce its outstanding OCOP products, distinctive agricultural products, traditional craft villages and rural tourism models to provinces and cities, businesses, international organizations and a wide range of visitors.

With its national scale, the Viet Nam OCOP Festival 2026 is expected to attract many delegates, businesses, investors, and domestic and international visitors. The event is expected to stimulate consumer demand, promote trade, services, and tourism, and enhance the profile of both Ho Chi Minh City and Viet Nam’s OCOP Program as part of international integration and sustainable development.