Cao Bang: Developing OCOP products associated with rural tourism

Developing OCOP products associated with agricultural tourism is a direction that is considered to contribute to increasing the production value of agricultural products in the border province of Cao Bang.

Affirming brand with OCOP products

Cao Bang province's OCOP products include key product groups such as food, beverages, handicrafts, community tourism services, eco-tourism and tourist attractions. Some OCOP products have been local specialties and have been famous for a long time, such as: Phia Den dong vermicelli; Trung Khanh chestnuts, Huong Bao Lac sticky rice; smoked meat, sausage; black jelly; Na Giang sli... These OCOP products have been contributing to promoting the potential and strengths of culture, cuisine, tourism services, land and people of Cao Bang province to a large number of domestic and foreign tourists, thereby promoting tourism and local agricultural economy development.

Production of Na Giang Sli in Ngoc Dao commune, Ha Quang district.

Speaking of traditional handicraft products with a long history, the famous ones in Cao Bang must be the knives of Phuc Sen craft village, Quang Hoa district. In particular, Phuc Sen knives with 3 OCOP stars of Minh Tuan Cooperative have become famous products, affirming the brand of traditional blacksmithing here. Mr. Nong Minh Tuan, Director of Minh Tuan Cooperative shared: Since being certified as a typical rural industrial product, then an OCOP product of the province, the knives of the Cooperative have become more widely known throughout the country. The Cooperative has increased the introduction and sale of its products at many tourist destinations of the province, major tourism and trade fairs across the country. Many tourist groups coming to Cao Bang also come to the Cooperative to choose quality forged products.

Knife production at Minh Tuan Cooperative, Phuc Sen Commune, Quang Hoa District.

OCOP products associated with tourism development

At Kolia Ecotourism Area, Thanh Cong Commune, Nguyen Binh District, where the climate is cool and fresh, in recent years it has attracted many tourists from all over the world to visit. Tourists coming to Kolia Ecotourism Area can participate in tea hill experience tours, pick tea by themselves and be instructed on how to roast tea, package tea... like the locals. Visiting Kolia Ecotourism Area and sipping a cup of A1 Red Tea and A1 Green Tea, 2 3-star OCOP products of Kolia Cao Bang Company Limited is an interesting experience for tourists. These are also 2 of many famous teas of Kolia Company.

Picking tea with locals at Kolia community tourism area.

In order to promote and consume OCOP products, many support policies of Cao Bang province have been implemented in a concentrated manner such as introducing on e-commerce sites; building display and sales points for OCOP products, bringing OCOP products to supermarkets. Effectively implementing the OCOP Program associated with rural tourism services, the province focuses on promoting propaganda work so that all people and socio-economic organizations can see the economic and humanistic values ​​when participating in the OCOP program. Introducing tours, tourist routes, attractions, products associated with eco-tourism, community tourism; organizing cultural and culinary activities, promoting tourism, introducing agricultural products, OCOP products at Fairs, Cultural - Tourism Weeks inside and outside the province.

Since the beginning of 2024, Cao Bang province has welcomed more than 1.6 million visitors, of which international tourists are estimated at more than 36,000, up 63% over the same period. Total tourism revenue is estimated at VND 1,276 billion; room occupancy rate is estimated at 52.5%.

Phia Den vermicelli, one of the famous OCOP products chosen by tourists when traveling to Cao Bang.

To help people understand the value of OCOP products

Authorities at all levels have creatively applied policy mechanisms and mobilized appropriate resources to encourage organizations and individuals to create motivation to develop the OCOP movement more and more strongly. Prioritizing investment in funding sources to support the development of OCOP products associated with the development of production organization forms according to the value chain. According to Mr. Nong Thanh Man, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Cao Bang: The development of OCOP products associated with agricultural and rural tourism enriches tourism development, attracts tourists, contributes to consumption and increases the value of OCOP products. From there, the attention to investment and creation of OCOP products will be more favorable, helping to enhance products and promote the image of tourism in the locality. For sustainable development, Cao Bang province determines that it is necessary to promote information and propaganda about the purpose and practical significance of the OCOP program. In addition, there is a more drastic participation of Party committees and authorities at all levels; Timely and effectively implement mechanisms and policies to encourage businesses, cooperatives, cooperative groups, and people to change their thinking and boldly invest in creating OCOP products. Promote the construction of community tourism routes connecting with OCOP product production areas. The main purpose is to increase people's income, towards sustainable tourism development and rural agriculture development. Source: https://daidoanket.vn/cao-bang-phat-trien-san-pham-ocop-gan-voi-du-lich-nong-thon-10294662.html