Bringing local products to wider market

Over recent years, many enterprises in Dong Nai have continuously grown stronger, making sustained efforts to elevate their brands and expand both domestically and internationally.

Producing 5-star OCOP cashew products at Nga Bien Import-Export Co., Ltd. in Xuan Hoa commune, Dong Nai province. Photo: Lam Phuong

An increasing number of enterprises and OCOP entities (One Commune One Product Programme) in Dong Nai are paying greater attention to brand building and upgrading, market development, and the application of technology in production. At the same time, they have been proactively adapting to integration trends through new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs).

From 5-star OCOP products to nationally recognized rural industrial products

As of the end of December 2025, Dong Nai province recorded 460 OCOP-certified products from 286 participating entities. Of these, 11 products achieved the 5-star OCOP rating, 89 products met the 4-star standard, and 360 products reached the 3-star level. In 2025 alone, Dong Nai had 8 products officially recognized as national 5-star OCOP products. These included pure cocoa powder and 3-in-1 cocoa powder produced by Trong Duc Cocoa Co., Ltd. in Phu Hoa commune; cheese and salted egg-flavored cashews, original roasted salted cashews, garlic-chili cashews, and plain roasted vegan cashews from Nga Bien Import-Export Co., Ltd. in Xuan Hoa commune; as well as Phuc Hung Long Essential and Phuc Hung Long Premium health protection foods manufactured by Tam Tam An Medicinal Herbs Co., Ltd. in Hung Thinh commune.

To elevate the 5-star OCOP products, enterprises have focused on developing sustainable raw material zones, investing in technology, and expanding marketing and promotion channels. These efforts aim to bring products closer to consumers while broadening domestic consumption and export markets.

According to Nguyen Van Khon, Director of Tam Tam An Medicinal Herbs Co., Ltd. in Hung Thinh commune, the company’s two 5-star OCOP products are extracted and processed from the precious medicinal plant xao tam phan (scientifically known as Paramignya trimera), sourced locally. The products are deeply processed and manufactured to meet stringent criteria for health protection foods.

Similarly, Dang Tuong Khanh, Director of Trong Duc Cocoa Co., Ltd., shared that the company has proactively invested in applying and transforming science and technology in production. Moreover, it has strengthened linkages to develop local raw material areas. Notably, the company places strong emphasis on building a sustainable production chain, from selecting plant varieties to supplying finished products, while ensuring transparency and clarity in product information and promoting distinctive values for its pure cocoa powder and 3-in-1 cocoa powder lines.

With recognition as 5-star OCOP products, local products gain greater opportunities to boost domestic consumption and access high-potential export markets. In doing so, OCOP products can truly “set sail for the open sea,” keeping pace with integration trends.

Le Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of Nga Bien Import-Export Co., Ltd., noted that the 5-star OCOP recognition has created strong momentum and a solid foundation for brand development, while reinforcing consumer confidence in distinctive local specialties. In the coming time, the company will continue striving to elevate its brand in connection with promoting local cultural values. He also expressed confidence that provincial- and commune-level authorities will continue facilitating and expanding promotional activities for local products in general and 5-star OCOP products in particular, thereby bringing local products closer to consumers through tourist stopovers, promotional sites, e-commerce platforms, and modern retail systems.

Expanding markets for Dong Nai products

Organizing and participating in major trade fairs and exhibitions, especially national-level industrial promotion and trade promotion programmes, have opened up significant opportunities for Dong Nai’s key products to build brands and expand both domestic and export markets.

In 2025, Dong Nai organized and took part in numerous national-level trade connection programmes. A highlight was the Dong Nai-Southeast Region Industry and Trade Fair, held in mid-August 2025. The event was jointly directed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee. It was the first national-level trade promotion activity held in Dong Nai following the provincial merger. The fair attracted more than 50,000 visitors and over 140 enterprises from various provinces and cities nationwide, showcasing and promoting products at exhibition booths.

Dong Nai possesses significant potential for economic development. In particular, the Dong Nai-Southeast Region Industry and Trade Fair, along with trade promotion activities under the new context, not only provides opportunities for trade connectivity but also helps localities foster linkages, innovation, and sustainable development in the new phase.

Le Hoang Tai, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (MoIT)

According to Vu Ngoc Long, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of Dong Nai Department of Industry and Trade, the department has been implementing a wide range of solutions to support enterprises, strengthen trade promotion activities, and expand markets. To further leverage local potential and advantages while enhancing production capacity for enterprises in Dong Nai in particular and the Southeast region in general, the province is oriented toward promoting modern industrial and commercial development, increasing trade promotion activities to better serve domestic and international market demand, enhancing competitiveness, and diversifying export markets.

At the 2025 Autumn Fair held in Hanoi, Dong Nai showcased a wide array of its typical and key products, ranging from 4-star and 5-star OCOP products to goods from major brands with factories located in the industrial hub of Dong Nai. Earlier, in September 2025, Dong Nai represented 34 provinces and cities of Vietnam at the 22nd China–ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO 2025) held in Nanning, Guangxi (China). These events provided valuable opportunities for enterprises and OCOP entities in the province to present flagship products, conduct sales, seek partners, and expand markets.

Truong Van Thanh, Director of Nhu Hoang Agricultural Trade and Service Cooperative in Tho Son commune, said that the cooperative’s roasted salted cashew product has achieved the 4-star OCOP rating and has been connected to various domestic and export markets. The cooperative hopes to participate in more trade connection activities both within and beyond the province, especially national-level trade promotion programmes, in order to connect with major distributors, further develop its brand, and enhance the competitiveness and added value of local OCOP products.

By Lam Phuong – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha