Mekong Delta OCOP enterprises: Preserving local soul in products, reaching global markets

Starting with simple hometown gifts

The Mekong Delta region is not only the country's hub for rice, fish, and fruit but also the birthplace of thousands of distinctive products rich in local cultural identity. In recent years, in alignment with the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program, regional businesses, cooperatives, and households have capitalized on agricultural advantages, pushing rural products into a broader market, from villages and local markets to supermarkets, e-commerce platforms, and international exports.

The story of Ms. Nguyen Thi Trang Thuy from Cho Moi Commune, An Giang, exemplifies the dynamism and creativity of women in the river delta. Starting with the almond cookies passed down by her aunt's family over three decades ago, Ms. Thuy infused the recipe with a modern spirit, blending tradition and contemporary appeal to create the "Tien Anh Almond Cookie" brand, which achieved 4-star OCOP certification in An Giang Province.

Recalling her entrepreneurial journey, Ms. Thuy shared: "In 1992, I went to Ho Chi Minh City to learn baking, then brought the recipe back home. Initially, I just used a small wood-fired stove at home and rode my bicycle every day to sell trays of cookies around the local market. It was hard but fun because the community supported me."

Starting with half a kilogram of flour and gradually increasing to a few kilograms daily, orders steadily increased as the product gained popularity. The turning point came in 1993, when she made peanut-almond cookies for a nephew's wedding, which received overwhelming praise from guests. Since then, Tien Anh cookies have become an essential gift for holidays, Tet, and weddings.

In 2015, Ms. Thuy established the Tien Anh Production & Trading Co., Ltd., professionalizing the family craft into a formal business. She registered the industrial design for her "apricot flower cake" and received national recognition as a featured product. By 2020, the Tien Anh almond cookie line officially achieved 4-star OCOP status, becoming a source of pride for her hometown of Cho Moi.

Not content to stop there, the company continues to innovate with new flavor, such as green tea, sesame, cheese, chocolate, pineapple, and wafer cookies, along with elegant packaging, targeting the high-end gift market. The facility now employs more than 20 regular workers and dozens of seasonal workers, with an average monthly income of 5-6 million VND.

Mr. Tran Le Hung, Ms. Thuy’s husband, said: "We are finalizing the documentation to upgrade the product to a national 5-star OCOP, and simultaneously promoting exports to Japan and Australia. Some trial orders have been sent, and the feedback is very positive."

Preserving the soul of the flood season in every drop of linh fish sauce

While Tien Anh almond cookies offer a sweet flavor, the ca linh (linh fish) fish sauce produced by Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Tuyen (Dinh My Commune, An Giang) is rich and rustic, much like the people of the Western region. Using young ca linh - a specialty of the flood season, as the core ingredient, Ms. Tuyen has created a traditional fish sauce that has achieved 3-star OCOP certification.

Her entrepreneurial journey began in 2016 when, facing financial difficulties, she utilized the abundant ca linh supply to ferment fish sauce for her family. The first batch was unexpectedly fragrant and delicious, earning praise from everyone. She decided to expand production, strictly adhering to the traditional method: fresh ca linh mixed with 30% salt, fermented in clay jars for 12 months, with no added flavorings or preservatives.

Today, her facility has over 50 large jars, producing more than 1,000 liters of premium fish sauce annually, bottled in standard 650ml and 1-liter glass containers. Priced at only 40,000 VND per liter, the "clean, delicious, and traditional" quality has made the product popular everywhere.

In 2025, Ms. Tuyen’s An Giang ca linh fish sauce was recognized as a 3-star OCOP product, opening opportunities to join clean agricultural product stores and e-commerce platforms. "I only hope consumers better understand the value of traditional fish sauce, which carries the rich flavor and soul of the Mekong Delta," she confided.

A region with strong OCOP potential

The entire Mekong Delta currently has 3,907 OCOP products rated 3 stars or higher, ranking second in the country after the Red River Delta, with more than 2,000 OCOP entities. Of these, 77.8% are 3-star, 20.3% are 4-star, and 38 products have achieved 5-star status, reflecting the constant creativity of farmers and businesses in the river delta.

According to Mr. Le Huu Toan, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of An Giang Province, the province currently has 582 products recognized as 3-star OCOP or higher, including 14 5-star OCOP products, 1 potential 5-star product, 52 4-star products, and 515 3-star products, involving 324 participating entities.

"In the new context, especially with the expanded development space for each locality, it is necessary to enhance exchanges, share experiences, and connect OCOP production and trade. The Mekong Delta provinces need to further expand connectivity, linkage, commerce, and market reach with other regions and localities nationwide, especially international markets, to promote the cultural, agricultural, and rural tourism values of the Mekong Delta," said Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Tran Thanh Nam.

An Giang OCOP products are now available on major domestic e-commerce platforms such as Postmart, Voso, Lazada, and Shopee, and are gradually connecting with international distribution channels through the 2025 Mekong Delta OCOP Forum.

Notably, the An Giang Provincial People's Committee recently organized the highly successful 2025 Mekong Delta OCOP Forum, providing businesses in the region with an opportunity to interact, collaborate, promote, and expand their markets. This event affirmed the strong vitality of OCOP entities, promoted regional linkages, and laid a solid foundation for sustainable rural economic development.

According to Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Tran Thanh Nam, the Mekong Delta accounts for over 55% of the country's rice output, 56% of seafood, and 32% of fruit, while also contributing 90% of rice, 85% of shrimp, 98% of pangasius (tra fish), and 60% of fruit exports. Given these advantages, OCOP has become a strategic direction, helping local products reach international markets.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam emphasized the need for the OCOP Program in the Mekong Delta, and the entire country, to enter a new phase. With this spirit, the Deputy Minister proposed that provinces and cities prioritize developing plans and orientations for OCOP product development in the 2026-2030 period.

Specifically, it is necessary to strengthen product quality management associated with building prestigious domestic and export OCOP product brands, moving toward being environmentally friendly, green, and sustainable development.

In addition, provinces must accelerate the control of production processes to meet standards for quality management and food safety; focus on developing specialized OCOP raw material zones according to production planning and achieving certified standards; and develop OCOP products in conjunction with tourism development, traditional cultural festivals, and organizing events to create open spaces for OCOP promotion.

Crucially, it is important to build mechanisms and policies that support and encourage the development of OCOP product quality management, with a focus on disadvantaged OCOP entities, such as women, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities.

To commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Agriculture and Environment Sector and the First Patriotic Emulation Congress, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is organizing a series of events running from July to December 2025. The centerpiece of this series is the ceremony for the 80th Anniversary of the Agriculture and Environment Sector and the First Patriotic Emulation Congress, scheduled for the morning of November 12, 2025, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi, with over 1,200 delegates attending. VAN News will broadcast this event live.

* 1 USD = 26.299 VND (Source: Vietcombank)