Immediately after the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 490/QD-TTg approving the "One Commune One Product" (OCOP) program for the 2018-2020 period, Son La province decisively directed and implemented the program.

According to statistics, the province has more than 200 advantageous agricultural products with high economic and commercial value that can be developed into OCOP products.

Bich Thao coffee, produced by the Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative in Hua La commune, Son La city, is the province's only 5-star OCOP product.

To implement the OCOP (One Commune One Product) program, Thuan Chau district has assigned targets to communes and towns; directed the integration of resources to support businesses in building raw material areas, production and packaging facilities, ensuring food safety and hygiene, and having traceability labels… To date, Thuan Chau has 8 OCOP products achieving 3 stars or higher, contributing positively to the transformation of small-scale agricultural production to larger-scale production and value chain linkages. Many products have been well-received by consumers inside and outside the province and have participated in exports, initially establishing their brands, such as: Thu Dan Oolong tea, Pha Din Top tourist destination, Chieng La smoked fish, Da River tilapia fillet, Trong Nguyen tea, Phong Lai honey, Huong Doi smoked buffalo meat…

According to Mr. Lo Van Thoa, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Thuan Chau district, the unit has advised the District People's Committee to direct communes and towns to plan production areas suitable to the potential and advantages of the locality. This includes integrating the implementation of policies supporting production and building products along the value chain. The unit encourages the development of family farms, large-scale farms, and cooperative economic models. It also promotes propaganda, training in professional skills for developing OCOP products, and organizes promotional activities to bring the district's distinctive products to the market.

Muong La is a district with a large area of ​​fruit tree cultivation in Son La province. In recent years, to improve the quality and value of specialty and key products with high economic value, in conjunction with the implementation of the OCOP program, contributing to enhancing the competitiveness of products in the market and increasing income for farmers.

To date, the district has 10 OCOP products, including 3 products achieving 4-star OCOP status and 7 products achieving 3-star OCOP status. These OCOP products contribute to increasing value and promoting sustainable economic development in rural areas. In 2024, Muong La district had 62 cooperatives registered to operate in the agricultural sector, maintaining and developing 10 OCOP-certified products.

In the coming period, the district will continue to improve the quality and efficiency of OCOP products, creating sustainability; support businesses and cooperatives with technical standards and regulations in the production and processing of products; coordinate with specialized agencies to train people on building agricultural production models according to VietGAP standards; form concentrated production areas, promote production linkages, and contribute to promoting the development of agricultural and rural economy.

By the end of 2024, Son La city had 20 OCOP products rated 3 stars or higher, including one 5-star OCOP product, doubling the number compared to 2023. These distinctive agricultural and rural products, deeply rooted in the traditional culture of ethnic minorities, contribute to preserving and promoting cultural values, creating jobs, and increasing income.

In the culinary culture of the Thai ethnic minority in Son La, smoked meat, fish, and sausages are popular specialties. Many production facilities in the city have perfected their production processes to ensure food safety and hygiene, elevating them to distinctive OCOP products.

Son La City is increasingly producing products that are establishing their position in the market and making significant contributions to the local socio-economic development, such as: pure ground coffee from Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative, pickled apricot juice from Chieng Set Agricultural Cooperative, Ho Sam honey... These cooperatives and business households not only create quality products that meet market demands, but also contribute to creating regular jobs for dozens of local workers, increasing income and improving the lives of the people.

Hien Luong