Quang Ninh OCOP products reach global markets

As a pioneer in implementing Viet Nam’s One Commune One Product (OCOP) Program, Quang Ninh Province has not only become the national leader in the number of certified OCOP products but is also steadily helping local specialties move beyond the domestic market to enter some of the world's most demanding international markets.

This journey of elevating OCOP products, from their local heritage and indigenous values to compliance with global standards, is creating new opportunities for rural economic development across the province.

From local specialties to export commodities

In recent years, rather than focusing solely on increasing output, OCOP producers across Quang Ninh Province have embraced a value-driven development strategy, placing quality, branding, and added value at the center of their growth efforts.

A notable example is the tea products of Viet Tu Construction Investment and Trading Co., Ltd. in Duong Hoa Commune. Drawing on a well-planned tea-growing area, the company has invested heavily in modern processing and packaging technologies and has established quality management systems aligned with international standards to produce premium tea products for both domestic and overseas markets.

According to the results of the 2025 National OCOP Product Evaluation and Classification, announced in April 2026, Quang Ninh had eight products recognized as national five-star OCOP products. Of these, six tea products were contributed by Viet Tu Company. These products had previously won awards at the The Golden Leaf Awards 2024, organized by Australia Tea Masters.

Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Huong, Director of Viet Tu Company, said: “We believe that quality is the key to long-term success. Over many years, we have invested in research, standardized production processes, developed raw material areas, and expanded deep-processing capacity. Having six products recognized as national five-star OCOP products provides an opportunity for Viet Tu tea to further penetrate markets with long-standing tea traditions such as Japan, China, Taiwan, and many others.”

Tea is not the only sector demonstrating international potential. Many of Quang Ninh's distinctive agricultural products are increasingly proving their competitiveness in global markets.

In Binh Lieu District, local farmers have transformed red arrowroot grown on mountainous slopes into the region's renowned glass noodle products. In recent years, Binh Lieu Trading and Services Joint Stock Company has partnered with farmers to establish stable raw-material zones and invested billions of Vietnamese dong in modern production lines to improve productivity and product quality.

“Sustainable development requires a comprehensive approach, from raw material production to processing and brand building. We remain committed to preserving the traditional flavor of Binh Lieu glass noodles while continuously improving technology and packaging to meet the requirements of export markets," Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tung, Deputy Director of the company, shared.

As a result of these coordinated investments, in March 2026 the company successfully exported 5.5 tonnes of glass noodles to Japan, with a total value of about USD 17,100. The product is also being promoted for expansion into the markets of South Korea and several other countries.

Raising quality standards to conquer demanding markets

According to experts, in the context of deepening international integration, bringing OCOP products to global markets is not merely a matter of brand promotion. It also involves meeting increasingly stringent requirements related to quality standards, traceability, food safety, and sustainability.

Recognizing this challenge, Quang Ninh Province has focused on developing concentrated raw material zones, strengthening production oversight, and encouraging businesses to adopt advanced technologies and digital transformation solutions.

At present, all provincial OCOP products rated from three to five stars are equipped with QR codes for traceability, integrated with cashless payment systems, and are gradually being introduced on e-commerce platforms. These measures are considered essential for enhancing transparency, strengthening consumer confidence, and facilitating export activities.

In addition, OCOP producers receive support in production management, business planning, packaging and labeling design, marketing, and trade promotion. Many products have transitioned from traditional sales models to deep processing, thereby increasing added value and improving market competitiveness.

Beyond tea and glass noodles, a growing number of Quang Ninh specialties, including processed seafood products, Yen Tu apricot wine, Ba Kich wine, Golden Camellia tea, and other regional delicacies, are steadily upgrading their production standards in preparation for entry into international markets.

Reinforcing position as Viet Nam’s leading OCOP Province

To date, Quang Ninh Province has developed 437 OCOP products rated three stars and above, produced by local enterprises, cooperatives, and household businesses. Following the latest round of national recognition, the province now has 16 products certified as national five-star OCOP products, placing it among the leading localities nationwide in terms of the number of nationally recognized OCOP products.

According to representatives of the Quang Ninh Department of Agriculture and Environment, these achievements reflect the province’s successful strategy of promoting rural economic development based on local strengths while enhancing the value of indigenous products.

The province views the OCOP Program not merely as a product development initiative but also as a key instrument for agricultural restructuring and sustainable rural development. In the coming years, Quang Ninh will continue supporting enterprises and cooperatives in strengthening production capacity, expanding raw material zones, adopting advanced technologies, and accelerating digital transformation. At the same time, the province will intensify trade promotion efforts to help more OCOP products integrate into global value chains.

Built on a foundation of over a decade alongside the proactive innovation of the business community, Quang Ninh's OCOP products are gradually asserting their position in the international market. Each product carries not only economic value but also a story of the culture, people, and identity of the mining land, helping to elevate the image of Quang Ninh's agriculture on the global map.