Cooperatives scale up: a new driver for green growth and value-chain linkages

Cooperatives in Vietnam are expanding in scale, diversifying across sectors, and gradually affirming their role in the economy as a pillar for growth and social welfare. In response to new requirements, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung said cooperatives must promote digital transformation, green transformation, strengthen linkages, and improve the institutional framework to raise competitiveness and move toward sustainable development.

Honoring 100 exemplary cooperatives

Speaking at the ceremony, Cao Xuan Thu Van, Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance, said the cooperative sector has grown from rural starter organizations into an important component of the economy, contributing to growth and social welfare. She said the anniversary is an opportunity to recognize exemplary cooperatives continuing the development journey of the collective economy.

Van noted that the 100 cooperatives awarded the “Cooperative Star” prize and the “Mai An Tiêm” prize demonstrate the sector’s strong upward trajectory.

From production mindset to economic mindset

The Vietnam Cooperative Alliance leader said cooperatives are transitioning from a production mindset to an economic mindset. She highlighted that the sector is expanding the application of digital transformation, green economy, and circular economy in governance and production.

At the same time, she said cooperatives are increasing linkages among themselves and with enterprises to participate more deeply in value chains, thereby enhancing competitiveness.

Scale and membership

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung referenced the call of President Ho Chi Minh 80 years ago, from the first cooperative established in 1948 in Viet Bac’s resistance area. He said Vietnam now has more than 34,880 cooperatives with nearly 5.7 million members.

Strengthening linkages and developing value-chain models

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung emphasized that strengthening linkages and developing cooperative models tied to value chains are central to building a sustainable agricultural ecosystem. He said value-chain linkages between enterprises and cooperatives are an inevitable trend for large-scale, sustainable agriculture, helping improve efficiency, competitiveness, and livelihoods.

He also urged redefining the role of cooperatives within the private sector’s ecosystem, including:

• Strengthening linkages not only among cooperatives but also with enterprises, scientists, and international partners to harness regional strengths, create synergies, and raise competitiveness.
• Continuing to remove institutional bottlenecks. While the Cooperative Law of 2023 has been implemented, he said enforcement needs to be more effective, and policies and resources should be improved to support cooperative development in line with international trends.

Calls for reform and grassroots support

For the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance, the Deputy Prime Minister urged continuing to reform operating methods, staying close to the grassroots, promptly identifying difficulties faced by cooperatives to propose suitable solutions, and replicating exemplary models.

State support for the collective economy

Affirming state support, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung said the Government will continue listening and supporting the collective economy sector. He said the aim is to create conditions for cooperatives to develop alongside other economic sectors, contributing positively to growth and sustainable development in the coming period.