Seeking solutions to expand cooperative membership

On November 5, the Dong Nai City Cooperative Alliance (DNCA) held a thematic conference titled “Solutions to Expand Cooperative Membership.”

DNCA leaders chair the discussion session at the conference. Photo: Vuong The

At the conference, delegates listened to a representative of the DNCA assess efforts to recruit and retain members and expand membership, and outline new provisions on member classification, rights and obligations under the 2023 Law on Cooperatives. The program also featured presentations by the German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation (DGRV), based in the Federal Republic of Germany, on international experience in membership development; by the Dong Xanh Organic Agricultural Cooperative on solutions for organizing service chains for input supply and product sales; and by the Phuong Lam Trade and Services Cooperative on experience encouraging small traders and household businesses to join cooperatives. Delegates also discussed financial support, transparency in governance and internal controls within cooperatives.

According to the DNCA, as of October 2026, the city had nearly 1,100 cooperative groups and 951 cooperatives. Of these cooperatives, 612 were operating steadily, with 53,800 members and regular employment of more than 13,200 workers. The city has established 363 production linkage chains involving 139 cooperatives, 45 cooperative groups, and more than 15,600 households.

Efforts to expand membership continue to face numerous challenges. The pace of attracting and admitting new members has not matched the locality’s potential and economic scale. The proportion of cooperatives that have ceased operations or are awaiting dissolution remains high, at over 33%, directly affecting public confidence in the cooperative model.

A representative of Thanh Phat Transport Service Cooperative speaks at the conference. Photo: Vuong The

The 2023 Law on Cooperatives established three categories of cooperative members: official members, capital-contributing associate members, and non-capital-contributing associate members. This framework facilitates broader participation and mobilizes social resources. To achieve sustainable development, cooperatives must shift from a focus on internal management to delivering practical services, ensuring financial transparency, embracing digital transformation, and aligning members’ interests with operational efficiency. The DNCA will continue to support access to credit, trade promotion, and value chain development, helping to improve the quality of the collective economy.

By Vuong The – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho