Connecting to promote consumption of local products

Trade promotion activities play a crucial role in elevating local OCOP (One Commune One Product) products; supporting enterprises, cooperatives, and production establishments in the province in building brands and expanding their markets. At the same time, these activities help Dong Nai’s key products reach broader markets in the context of increasingly deep international integration.

Numerous national-level trade connectivity programs

In recent times, the Dong Nai Provincial Department of Industry and Trade has implemented numerous programs and activities to support local enterprises, production facilities, and OCOP stakeholders in enhancing trade connectivity and expanding their market presence.

A highlight was the Southeast Region Industry and Trade Fair and Exhibition – Dong Nai, held in mid-August 2025. The fair was directed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee. It attracted more than 50,000 visitors for sightseeing and shopping, and over 140 enterprises from many provinces and cities nationwide participated in promoting and introducing products at exhibition booths.

Provincial Party Committee member and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council Tran Van Mi (front row, second from the right) and leaders of departments and sectors visit exhibition booths at the Southeastern Region – Dong Nai Outstanding Rural Industrial Products Fair 2025. Photo: Hai Quan

Le Hoang Tai, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, emphasized that the Southeastern Region – Dong Nai Industry and Trade Exhibition Fair 2025 in particular, and trade promotion activities in the new context in general, not only create opportunities for trade connectivity but also help localities promote linkages, innovation, and sustainable development in a new phase. The fair is part of a national-level trade promotion program aimed at boosting trade, seeking cooperation and business opportunities, and strengthening regional linkages in the Southeast region, particularly in the region, and nationwide in general.

Vu Ngoc Long, Provincial Party Committee member and Director of the Dong Nai Department of Industry and Trade, emphasized that the fair creates favorable conditions for trade promotion and business-to-business as well as business-to-consumer connectivity. It serves as a direct bridge between supply and demand, thereby enhancing the efficiency of commercial transactions. The event also helps enterprises better understand consumer preferences and market needs, enabling them to improve product quality and develop new products. In doing so, it supports businesses in Dong Nai and across the country in strengthening their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets and proactively integrating into the global economy.

Vo Thi Hien, owner of Co Hai Clean Pepper Production Facility (located in Dak O Commune, Dong Nai Province), shared that the facility’s main product lines currently include traditional black pepper and dried fruit products. Among them, black pepper and crispy dried Thai jackfruit have been certified with a 4-star OCOP rating. The facility aims to participate in more trade promotion programs, both within and beyond the province, to expand its consumer base and enhance the value of its OCOP products.

Most recently, at the end of November 2025, Dong Nai Province organized the Southeastern Region – Dong Nai Outstanding Rural Industrial Products Fair 2025. This exhibition is part of this year’s National Industrial Promotion Program.

The exhibition featured 250 booths showcasing and promoting typical rural industrial products from Dong Nai and various provinces and cities nationwide, including Ho Chi Minh City, An Giang, Ca Mau, Gia Lai, Quang Tri, and Tay Ninh. According to the Organizing Committee, a notable highlight was the “Typical Industrial and Rural Products” display area, which featured many products certified at the provincial, regional, and national levels. After nearly one week, the exhibition attracted approximately 10,000 visitors.

Pham Van Cuong, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Industry and Trade, stated that the Southeastern Region – Dong Nai Outstanding Rural Industrial Products Fair 2025 opened up many new opportunities and delivered positive results for industrial and investment promotion activities, contributing to economic development in Dong Nai in particular and the country as a whole. Through this exhibition, Dong Nai aims to work with provinces and cities in the region to strengthen regional connectivity, promote value chain linkages in production, and expand consumption markets for rural industrial products and local key products.

In addition, at the Autumn Fair 2025 held in Hanoi from October 26 to November 4, Dong Nai showcased a wide range of the province’s typical and flagship products, including 4-star and 5-star OCOP items, as well as products from major brands with manufacturing facilities based in Dong Nai, known as an industrial hub. Earlier, in September 2025, Dong Nai represented 34 provinces and cities of Vietnam at the 22nd China–ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO 2025) held in Nanning City, Guangxi, China. This occasion was a significant opportunity for local enterprises to introduce key products, conduct sales, seek partners, and expand markets.

Le Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of Nga Bien Import-Export Company Limited (in Xuan Hoa Commune, Dong Nai Province), said that in the coming period, the company will continue to strive to continuously improve product quality, maintain and upgrade OCOP product ratings, and focus on building brand image and brand storytelling through trade promotion and trade connectivity activities inside and outside the province, while promoting the development of e-commerce.

Expanding markets for Dong Nai’s key products

Organizing and participating in large-scale fairs and exhibitions, particularly national-level industrial promotion and trade promotion programs, will create numerous opportunities for Dong Nai’s key products to realize their full potential and strengths, as well as to expand both domestic and export markets.

The Department of Industry and Trade has been implementing a range of solutions to support enterprises, strengthen trade promotion activities, and expand markets. To further leverage potential and strengths, and enhance production capacity for local enterprises in Dong Nai in particular and the Southeast region in general, the province is aiming to promote industrial and commercial development along modern lines, increase trade promotion efforts to effectively meet market demand both at home and abroad, while also improving competitiveness and accelerating export market diversification.

The Dong Nai Department of Industry and Trade is also strengthening support programs, training, and guidance for OCOP stakeholders, small and medium-sized enterprises, and cooperatives in the province to access, promote, and conduct business on e-commerce platforms, while accelerating digital transformation in trade promotion activities in the digital era.

Nguyen Van Linh, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, shared that in the coming time, the center will continue to strengthen coordination with the Department of Industry and Trade and relevant units and localities to enhance support for local enterprises and OCOP stakeholders in product promotion, brand development, and bringing products into distribution and retail chains inside and outside the province.

Le Thi Hai, representative of Hai Viet Coffee Company Limited (based in Trang Dai Ward, Dong Nai Province), shared that the company is developing lines of pure roasted and ground coffee products that meet OCOP standards. Currently, the company’s products are supplied to both wholesale and retail distribution systems as well as rest stops, with plans to enter supermarket chains. The company aims to connect with restaurant chains and tourist destinations in the province through compact, convenient packaging designs, expanding its market reach, and building brand recognition.

Similarly, Truong Van Thanh, Director of Nhu Hoang Agricultural Trade and Service Cooperative (in Tho Son Commune, Dong Nai Province), stated that the cooperative’s roasted salted cashew nuts have achieved 4-star OCOP certification. The product has already been introduced to various domestic and export markets. The cooperative aims to participate in more trade connectivity activities, both within and outside the province, particularly national-level trade promotion programs, to connect with major distributors, strengthen brand development, and enhance the competitive value of local OCOP products.

By Hai Quan - Translated by Quynh Nhu, Minho