However, according to the Hanoi Coordination Office for New-Style Rural Area Development, only six OCOP products have received a 5-star rating.

The city aims to have 3% of potential 5-star products registered for national-level evaluation and ranking by 2025. In 2024 and 2025, the city will focus on reviewing and supporting products with the potential to reach 5-star status for submission to the central authorities to ensure they meet the planned targets.

Increasing the number of OCOP products

Nguyen Xuan Dai, Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that in the first six months of 2024, the OCOP product evaluation council at the district level evaluated and ranked 12 OCOP products in the Bac Tu Liem and Long Bien districts, including six products rated 3-star and six potential 4-star products awaiting city-level evaluation.

Cumulatively, from 2019 to now, Hanoi has evaluated and ranked 2,711 products (reaching 89% of the target of 3,054 products set for the period ending in 2025), including six 5-star products, 12 potential 5-star products, 1,473 4-star products, and 1,220 3-star products.

The number of OCOP products has increased significantly in various city districts. Phung Khac Son, Vice Chairman of the Thach That District People’s Committee, reported that the district now has 162 OCOP products rated from three to four stars, including 116 products rated four stars and 46 products rated three stars.

Product owners have become more attentive to quality control, branding, traceability, and the use of information technology in product management and sales, leading to expanded markets and increased product value compared to the period before obtaining the OCOP certification.

In 2023, Soc Son District completed the evaluation and certification of 36 OCOP products, raising the total number of OCOP products in the district to 125 by the second quarter of 2024.

The district has also supported product development programmes for over 50 OCOP entities to encourage new approaches and product development in the current context. They have helped establish five additional display and sales points for OCOP products, bringing the total number of such points to nine to promote and develop OCOP products, increasing their value in the district.

Products recognised as OCOP by the city and district-level People’s Committees have proven valuable in quality and economy, gaining a strong market position and earning consumer trust. After being recognised as OCOP, product sales and revenue have increased by an average of 20% compared to before certification.

Promoting trade and enhancing OCOP product consumption

In addition to developing and improving the quality of OCOP products, connecting with markets and finding opportunities for product consumption is crucial. Currently, Hanoi is actively organising events, fairs, and conferences to promote commercial activities, connect trade, stimulate consumption, and support OCOP entities in producing high-quality products. The city encourages the development of commercial goods linked to modern and civilised e-commerce services.

Moreover, the city has established 105 locations for displaying and selling OCOP products, allowing consumers in the capital to recognise and purchase these products.

Regarding the development of Creative Design Centres to promote and sell OCOP products and traditional crafts linked to tourism, by the end of 2023, there were ten centres in eight suburban districts (Phu Xuyen, Gia Lam, Ung Hoa, Dong Anh, Chuong My, Thanh Tri, Thuong Tin and Hoai Duc) and the Ha Dong District.

In 2024, the city plans to recognise 5-10 additional Creative Design Centres to promote and market OCOP products and traditional crafts linked to tourism in districts, towns, and communes.

Deputy Chairman of the Soc Son District People’s Committee, Do Minh Tuan, also mentioned that to boost the consumption of OCOP products, the district has supported entities in connecting and promoting trade, assisting in designing packaging, labelling, and creating display points for OCOP products, aiming to establish 2-3 new display points for OCOP products in the district.

At the same time, the district is strengthening the implementation of training programmes to guide stakeholders in marketing skills and product development, shifting mindsets and adopting strategies that align with market development. As a result, the district now has seven cooperatives participating in production chain links associated with agricultural product consumption, five cooperatives applying high-tech agriculture, and 11 cooperatives with 45 OCOP products that have been evaluated and ranked by the city.

“OCOP products have established their reputation, quality, and brand in the market, leading to numerous contracts for product consumption. Stakeholders have paid close attention to packaging, design, and product quality, which has earned the consumer’s trust. This has significantly contributed to improving rural residents' material and spiritual life,” said Do Minh Tuan.