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Lai Châu province’s OCOP (One Commune One Product) program is strengthening the value of local agricultural products while creating a driver for rural economic development by linking products with local culture and tourism. The province is gradually affirming its position with distinctive offerings, helping highland agricultural produce reach wider domestic markets and aiming to expand exports.
According to the Lai Châu Department of Agriculture and Environment, from 2023 to date, the province has certified OCOP 3-star and 4-star ratings for 295 products.
By the end of 2025, 191 OCOP products remained valid, including 13 products rated 4 stars and 178 products rated 3 stars. These products are distributed across 98 entities in 25 communes/wards. In addition, 104 products have expired and are being reviewed and re-rated under current regulations.
In the first three months of 2026, Lai Châu did not announce new OCOP products. However, the province is actively checking and finalizing dossiers to re-certify existing products.
Lai Châu’s OCOP products mainly fall within the food, beverage, and handicraft sectors. Many specialties reflect Northwest identity, including dong vermicelli, forest honey, dried meat, tea, specialty rice, macadamia nuts, and cordyceps.
Cooperatives and producers have focused on improving quality, reforming packaging, and meeting growing market demand. The province also highlights that OCOP products meet food safety standards, have clear traceability, use modern packaging, and are tied to local cultural stories—factors that support consumer appeal.
Notable 4-star products include tea lines from Tam Đường Tea Investment and Development Joint Stock Company, such as matcha, ancient tea, and oolong. Other examples include the Séng Cù rice group from cooperatives in Than Uyên and dried macadamia nuts from Truong Giang Lai Châu Company Limited, along with Bình Lư dong vermicelli.
The 4-star portfolio also includes products such as ginseng extract, Jiaogulan tea, forest honey, buffalo jerky, and dried pork.
Cordyceps militaris, long known as a precious medicinal herb with health benefits, is becoming more accessible in Lai Châu as households and cooperatives study, research, and successfully cultivate it, helping expand its market.
As of now, Lai Châu has eight OCOP 3-star cordyceps products produced by the SUKOVA High-Tech Medicinal Plant Agriculture Cooperative and by Đào Huy Cương’s business.
Ms. Phạm Thị Thư, director of the SUKOVA cooperative, said the cooperative was established in 2023 with charter capital of around VND 4 billion. It has focused on building factory space, cultivation equipment, and freeze-drying technology to ensure product quality.
The cooperative currently has three OCOP 3-star cordyceps products: dried cordyceps in whole form, dried tea from herb blends, and dried cordyceps larvae. It is also developing potential products from reishi and other fungi.
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