Ho Chi Minh City Advances OCOP Products toward Quality and Sustainability After Seven Years

Overview of OCOP Achievements

As of late 2025, Ho Chi Minh City’s One Commune, One Product (OCOP) programme has certified over 1,000 products, including more than 790 three-star and 220 four-star items. Nearly 430 entities participate, marking a solid foundation for future growth. The initiative, running for over seven years, is evolving from focusing solely on quantity to emphasizing sustainability, quality enhancement, and strong brand development to bolster Vietnam’s local specialties in the global market.

Consumer Trends and Market Presence

Local consumers increasingly prioritize OCOP products featuring clear labeling, traceability, expiry information, and food safety certifications—especially in major supermarket chains. Despite progress, municipal authorities acknowledge the need to enhance the reach of OCOP goods in key retail networks such as Saigon Co-op and Satra.

Strategic Government Support and Quality Monitoring

Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Industry and Trade plans to act as a bridge for producers, offering technical guidance, packaging improvements, and documentation support. The municipal People’s Committee commits to comprehensive assessments of producer capacity and constraints to provide tailored support aimed at improving product quality, production processes, and competitiveness.

Post-certification, authorities will increase quality inspection frequency and tie star ratings to ongoing evaluations and market feedback. Product certifications may be downgraded or revoked if safety, traceability, or quality standards are compromised, safeguarding the OCOP brand’s integrity.

Digital Traceability and Standardization Efforts

The city is introducing a unified QR code system for OCOP products to provide accessible information on raw materials, manufacturing methods, certifications, and inspections. This move enhances regulatory oversight and empowers consumers to verify product details independently, building trust and transparency.

Focused Market Strategy and Value Chain Integration

Authorities aim to concentrate resources on high-potential OCOP categories suitable for mass market penetration. Emphasis will be placed on helping four-star products upgrade to five-star status through technological innovations, standardized processes, and packaging excellence aligned with modern retail and export requirements.

Additionally, there is a push to integrate OCOP producers more deeply into industry value chains and to develop curated gift collections that reflect local heritage and cultural identity, thereby elevating commercial and emotional value beyond the product itself.

Conclusion

Ho Chi Minh City’s OCOP programme is strategically shifting toward sustainable development with a focus on quality, innovation, and global market integration. These efforts not only enhance local economic resilience but also promote Vietnamese cultural heritage on the international stage.

Source: VietnamPlus, January 18, 2026

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