Launching the Tuyet Diem multi-salt product development project

Recently, in Xuan Canh Commune, the Dak Lak Farmers' Union officially launched the technical assistance project “Sustainable Diversification of Tuyet Diem Salt Products through Traditional Craft Preservation and Community-based Ecotourism Development,” funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP).

At the launch ceremony, the provincial Farmers' Union announced the project's commencement and introduced its 18-member Project Management Board, chaired by Ya Toan Enuol, Vice President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee of Dak Lak Province and Chairman of the Dak Lak Farmers' Union. The event also outlined the project's objectives, key activities, implementation plan and coordination mechanism.

In his opening remarks, Ya Toan Enuol, Chairman of the Dak Lak Farmers' Union, said the project focuses on three key objectives. The first is to diversify Tuyet Diem salt products, improve product quality and build a stronger brand through value-added offerings such as herbal salt, health salt products and OCOP-certified products, thereby increasing the value of local salt beyond the sale of raw salt.

The project will also pilot a community-based ecotourism model linked to the preservation of the traditional salt-making craft. Experiential activities, including the “A Day as a Salt Farmer” programme, are expected to create additional livelihood opportunities for local communities.

In addition, the project aims to strengthen the capacity of local communities, particularly women, young people and cooperatives, through training, communications, product commercialization and digital transformation initiatives.

“The project will not only help preserve the traditional salt-making craft but also create new opportunities for green and circular economic development by linking production with tourism. In doing so, it will contribute to the province’s broader goals of sustainable agricultural and tourism development.

To ensure the project achieves its objectives over the 12-month implementation period, we look forward to continued support from the provincial People's Committee, relevant departments, experts, tourism businesses and cooperatives in providing technical assistance, strengthening market linkages and developing value-added products,” said Ya Toan Enuol.

According to the organizers, the active participation of the salt-farming community in Xuan Canh Commune will be the key to the project's success. With a people-centred approach, the initiative is expected to empower local residents to adopt new knowledge, develop higher-value products and further enhance the Tuyet Diem salt brand.