Phu-thê cake, a specialty OCOP-certified product from Từ Sơn Ward, Bắc Ninh City. — Photos courtesy of Bắc Ninh's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism

BẮC NINH — Bắc Ninh City is projected to have 800 signature OCOP (One Commune, One Product) products certified at the three-star level or higher by the end of this year, according to Lưu Văn Khải, head of the Bắc Ninh Sub-Department of Cooperatives and Rural Development.

This projection stems from the city's planned evaluation process for this year's products, according to the official.

So far, Bắc Ninh has reaffirmed its position among the leading localities in the programme this year nationwide, with 721 OCOP-certified products at three stars or higher, comprising one five-star product, 57 four-star and 663 three-star.

According to Lê Xuân Lợi, vice chairman of the Bắc Ninh People's Committee, this year the city focuses on developing OCOP products along value chains that leverage local raw materials, culture and indigenous knowledge.

"Priority is being given to specialties, local produce, craft village products and community tourism services, all developed with a circular economy approach to ensure a sustainable ecosystem," he said.

The city has provided guidance to programme participants to standardise their processes and product specifications in alignment with the OCOP criteria set, while tailoring them to the specific advantages and conditions of each area.

Attention is placed on products developed with the city's unique scientific and technological advantages with outstanding quality and characteristics, Lợi said. Priority is given to processed goods derived from specialties, local raw materials and indigenous knowledge, and products that contribute to the preservation of traditional culture.

Delegates visit the area showcasing Bắc Ninh's OCOP products at a trade fair.

The city is also focusing on implementing models to preserve and promote the role of craft villages and traditional craft villages by linking them with OCOP product development, community-based tourism, ecotourism, and tourist attractions.

Participants also received guidance and support in developing and registering trademarks, managing and protecting intellectual property rights, designing product models and packaging, and printing labels in accordance with environmental standards suitable for OCOP products.

They are encouraged to prioritise the selection and use of eco-friendly, recycled materials, to participate in production value chain linkages to enhance the products' added value, and to turn OCOP products into gifts for domestic and international customers and for sale at tourist sites.

Furthermore, Bắc Ninh is stepping up promotion of OCOP product consumption at trade fairs, accelerating digital transformation of the OCOP programme, and strengthening the inspection and monitoring of OCOP-certified products to ensure compliance with State regulations on product quality, food safety and environmental protection.

In 2025, the city conducted evaluations and classifications for 114 OCOP products.

Among these, six products achieved four-star certification, which include ginseng flowers and the 'Star SaViNa' health supplement by Vietnam Ginseng Production and Trading Co., Ltd., and ginseng flower buds by Liên Chung cooperative for ginseng production and consumption.

They also include grilled pork sausage by Liên Chung grilled pork sausage cooperative, early-ripening lychee by Phúc Hòa cooperative, and Tân Yên guava by Quyên Phong cooperative. — VNS