30 products receive OCOP recognition in first assessment round of 2026

Nguyen Thi Cat Tien, Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai City People’s Committee, chaired a conference on October 21 to assess and classify products under the One Commune, One Product (OCOP) program in the first round of 2026.

Vice Chairwoman of the City People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Cat Tien views products submitted for the first OCOP assessment round of 2026. Photo: B. Nguyen

In the first round of 2026, 21 OCOP applicants registered 43 products for assessment. Following a review of the applications, 30 products were put forward to the evaluation council. All 30 were recognized under the OCOP program. Of the 30 products, 20 received three-star OCOP ratings after undergoing assessment for the first time. The other 10 were reassessed, with three identified as having the potential to achieve five stars, five awarded four stars and two retaining three-star ratings.

An OCOP producer representative explains the story behind the product. Photo: B. Nguyen

Some OCOP products have the potential to attain four-star ratings but face difficulties meeting requirements for trademarks and ISO and HACCP certification. Meanwhile, several three- and four-star OCOP products in the city have expired certifications and are awaiting reassessment.

Vice Chairwoman of the City People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Cat Tien chairs the first-round OCOP assessment conference for 2026. Photo: B. Nguyen

Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Cat Tien emphasized the importance of local OCOP products in promoting the development of household businesses and enterprises, while helping build and strengthen local agricultural brands. The program also helps establish consumer trust in product quality and enhance the reputation of Dong Nai’s agricultural products.

An OCOP producer representative presents the story behind the establishment’s product. Photo: B. Nguyen

Ahead of upcoming OCOP assessment rounds, Tien urged participating producers and businesses to carefully review their product names and trademarks, choose names that are appealing and easy to remember, and invest in packaging and labeling to build lasting brand identities. She also called on them to make greater use of digital platforms to introduce and promote their products, maintain consumer trust and continuously improve product quality and value. She stressed that OCOP producers and local authorities should pay greater attention to developing stable raw material production areas and maintaining product quality alongside brand building if local products are to remain competitive in the market. The advisory team assisting the OCOP evaluation council should work more closely with producers, while local authorities should provide timely support and create favorable conditions for businesses to grow. These efforts would help promote local economic development.

By B. Nguyen – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha