Hanoi (VNA) – Bat Trang ceramics, Chuyen My pearl inlay, Duong Lam confectionery, Dien pomelo, Canh orange and other famous handicrafts and agricultural products of Hanoi have participated in the evaluation and classification of One Commune One Product (OCOP) Programme.

The move has helped improve the products’ quality and design, gradually conquering domestic and international consumers as well as affirming the brand of Vietnamese goods.

Some products made by Quang Vinh Ceremic Co.Ltd in Gia Lam district’s Bat Trang commune including Red Lotus Dinnerware Set and a tea set imprinted with swallows and lotus have been recognised as five-star standards – the highest ranking in the OCOP’s ratings.

According to Nguyen Van Chi, deputy head of the Hanoi Coordination Office on New Rural Development, the city has verified, rated and recognised 1,054 OCOP products. Of which, 731 have been rated four stars and 306 rated three stars while 17 are expected to earn five-star rankings.

Thanks to the OCOP Programme, these products have been innovated and improved in quality, packaging and production scale. The market consumption is also expanded. Previously, OCOP products were mainly consumed in communes and districts or sold to traders but now they are present in many provinces and cities across the country and exported to many countries and regions.

The fact that OCOP products appear more and more on the shelves of supermarkets and convenience stores, conquering the trust of consumers not only shows the "attraction" of Vietnamese brands but also affirms the effectiveness of the OCOP programme.

According to the Hanoi Coordination Office on New Rural Development, 72 businesses, 82 cooperatives and 101 households have joined the programme, creating jobs for more than 5,000 labourers in rural areas.

Once taking part in the programme, many products have proved their value and quality, gradually forming OCOP product value chains, and contributing to production, revenues and market expansion.

Most of the products proposed for the national OCOP rating have a turnover growth rate of 10-40 percent. Many have been improved in order to sell as luxury, valuable gifts in keeping with consumer trends and market demand.

Regarding market consumption, Chi said the city has organised many conferences to connect the supply and demand, exhibitions and communication programmes to introduce OCOP products.

In the coming time, Hanoi will accelerate trade promotion to pave the way for OCOP products to enter supermarkets, farm stores, traditional handicraft shops and e-commerce sites so that OCOP Program can bring more practical effects in rural economic development and OCOP products are truly the pride of Vietnamese goods, he said.

The Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade said it will organise five Vietnamese Goods Weeks in Hanoi this year to stimulate domestic demand and increase total retail sales, thereby helping businesses and farmers consume products.

Specifically, the five weeks will have a scale of about 100 standard booths each week.

Notably, Hanoi will support 50 percent of booth costs for participating units with a maximum of two booths per unit; similar support will be provided to each locality. In which, the city will pay attention to support localities and businesses of Hanoi and other localities in consuming agricultural products, aquatic products, and fruit, which face difficulties in consumption due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the same time, it will also strengthen communication and promotion, create the best conditions for businesses to reach consumers and expand the market.

The OCOP was initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2008, based on Japan’s “One Village, One Product” and Thailand’s “One Town, One Product” programmes. It is an economic development programme for rural areas and focuses on increasing internal power and values, and is also to help with the national target programme on new-style rural area building./.