Lam Dong’s rural economy gains momentum through OCOP

Shaping local value chains

The picture of Lam Dong’s One Commune One Product (OCOP) Program is reflected not only in the growing number of certified products but also in the deeper integration of local products into value chains linked to production, processing, and markets.

According to Lam Dong’s Department of Agriculture and Environment, as of December 31, 2025, the province had 946 OCOP products with valid certification, an increase of 731 products from 2020 and more than 4.4 times the number at the start of the program. Of these, 88 OCOP products achieved 4-star status, and 858 products were rated 3 stars.

The accomplishment of having nearly 1,000 certified products demonstrates the broad reach of the OCOP Program across the province. From fresh agricultural produce and processed foods to beverages, handicrafts, medicinal products, and experiential services, OCOP has become a driving force for localities to standardize their signature products, strengthening quality standards, brand identity, and market orientation.

Among currently valid products, food and agricultural goods account for 860 products, equivalent to 90.9%. This clearly shows that agriculture remains the backbone of OCOP in Lam Dong, a sector that has long been one of the province’s greatest strengths.

More importantly, participation in OCOP has encouraged many producers to transition from small-scale production to standardized quality control, improved packaging and labeling, product traceability, and stronger brand development.

Along with the rise in product numbers, the number of OCOP participants has also grown rapidly. By the end of 2025, Lam Dong had 533 OCOP entities, up by 378 compared to 2020, including 192 enterprises, 102 cooperatives, 20 cooperative groups, and 219 production facilities, business households, and farms.

This structure shows that OCOP in Lam Dong is no longer just about a handful of local specialties. The program is drawing broader participation from the rural economy, including businesses, cooperatives, cooperative groups, and household-level farmers. As more stakeholders join the OCOP ecosystem, what emerges does not simply mean more products, but an increasingly visible local production and commercial network.

During the 2021-2025 period, training and capacity-building efforts were expanded alongside financial support. The provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment organized 17 training courses with 867 participants, while districts and cities conducted an additional 22 courses for around 1,000 participants.

Total funding for the OCOP Program managed by the department exceeded VND 62.5 billion, sourced from the central government, local budgets, and counterpart contributions from participating entities.

The increasing share of counterpart funding from participants indicates that OCOP is no longer solely a state-supported initiative but is beginning to generate reinvestment from businesses, cooperatives, and production facilities themselves.

Aiming toward sustainable value

One thing to note is that the limitations of growth driven mainly by quantity are becoming increasingly evident as OCOP expands rapidly in scale. Reports from the Department of Agriculture and Environment indicate uneven product quality, with some products still lacking distinctive advantages, remaining less competitive, and continuing to depend on seasonal factors.

Support for product development remains heavily focused on completing certification documents, while critical areas such as quality improvement, brand building, raw material development, management capacity, and post-certification quality control have not received sufficient attention. Trade promotion activities also remain fragmented and poorly connected, while quality inspection and post-certification monitoring are not consistently maintained in some localities.

If the 2021-2025 period focused on increasing the number of products and participating entities, the 2026-2030 period will prioritize product quality, competitiveness, and sustainable value. According to the province’s plan, Lam Dong aims to develop one to two new OCOP products annually in the categories of community tourism, eco-tourism, and rural tourism with a 3-star rating or higher.

If implemented effectively, OCOP products will become more than just commodities. They will also become part of rural experiences connected to traditional craft villages, indigenous culture, and community living spaces. The ultimate goal is to ensure that 100% of OCOP products rated 3 stars or higher are introduced and promoted on e-commerce platforms.

Alongside expanding access to supermarkets and convenience stores, Lam Dong’s OCOP strategy shows a major shift from simply gaining certification to achieving strong sales and sustainable market presence. What matters most is not just the figure of 946 active OCOP products, but the fact that the program is helping more local products integrate more deeply into commodity value chains, with stronger links to producers, support resources, and markets.

Therefore, the 2026–2030 phase will no longer be about how many additional products can be certified, but rather how to maintain quality, increase value, and strengthen market resilience. By 2030, Lam Dong aims to maintain all OCOP products certified in previous phases while developing an additional 200 - 250 products rated 3 stars or higher.

The province set its sights on improving and upgrading at least 20% of already rated OCOP products while ensuring that at least 30% of OCOP entities build value chains based on circular economy principles and green OCOP models linked to stable raw material areas.