Achieved international 5-star OCOP product standards.

At the beginning of 2025, Quang Nam received good news when two of its products were approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development after evaluation and classification under the national "One Commune One Product" program in 2024, achieving OCOP 5-star certification.

In 2024, the country achieved OCOP 5-star certification.

Products awarded OCOP 5-star status must undergo a rigorous inspection process. Photo taken on March 10, 2022, in Tam Ky City. Photo: PHAN VINH

What makes 5-star OCOP products special? How can products achieve this certification? This is a concern for many individuals and businesses.

The production process meets standards.

The Quy Thu baked coconut cake product from Quy Thu Production - Trading Co., Ltd. (Que Xuan 2 commune, Que Son district) is one of two products to receive the OCOP 5-star certification. Ms. Luu Thi Thu, the company's director, said that her family's traditional cake-making craft has existed for many generations. Popular cakes for holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year) include sticky rice cake (rolled cake), banh chung, banh tet, and banh in...

Quy Thu's baked coconut cake product has received OCOP 5-star certification. Photo taken on February 12, 2025. Photo: PHAN VINH

Recognizing the potential of the tourism market, in 2016, the company began to boost production of specialty products for tourists. After a period of research, Quy Thu launched its baked coconut cake product. With its distinctive flavor and reasonable price, the product was quickly well-received. "Each package costs between 15,000 and 20,000 VND, has an attractive design, and is very suitable as a gift," Ms. Thu shared.

The production process of Quy Thu baked coconut cakes has received numerous international standard certifications. Photo taken on February 12, 2025, in Que Xuan 2 commune, Que Son district. Photo: PHAN VINH

In 2020, Quy Thu invested over 3 billion VND in machinery, perfecting its closed-loop production process. Besides ensuring domestic food safety and hygiene standards, the products also achieved international certifications such as HACCP, FDA (USA), and HALAL (West Asian countries), affirming their quality and export potential.

[ VIDEO ] - Ms. Luu Thi Thu shares important considerations when producing OCOP products that achieve 5-star certification:

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The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has set out six groups of criteria for evaluating 5-star OCOP products. In addition to product quality, community strength, and market access, criteria related to production organization and quality management are given more attention compared to 4-star OCOP products. Products must meet international standards and have high export potential.

Ms. Luu Thi Thu - Director of Quy Thu Production - Trading Co., Ltd.

From Vietnam's national treasure

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Luc, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sam Sam Co., Ltd., the company whose SAPHRATON health supplement product has achieved OCOP 5-star certification, the essence of OCOP is local products. However, with Sam Sam, when choosing Ngoc Linh ginseng - a nationally recognized medicinal herb - as its raw material, the company has clearly defined its goal: to build a chain of deeply processed products to enhance the commercial value of ginseng.

Sam Sam has conducted numerous research projects on the conservation of the Ngoc Linh ginseng gene. Photo taken on October 3, 2022, at Tam Thang Industrial Park, Tam Ky City. Photo: PHAN VINH

SAPHRATON products have been on the market for over 10 years and have earned the trust of consumers. To meet export standards, Sam Sam continuously invests in upgrading its processes. The ginseng growing area meets GACP-WHO standards, and the manufacturing plant adheres to GMP and FDA standards, ensuring stable and consistent quality.

SAPHRATON products are manufactured based on research results and production processes that meet numerous standards. Photo taken on October 3, 2022, at Tam Thang Industrial Park, Tam Ky City. Photo: PHAN VINH

Currently, SAPHRATON is distributed nationwide and has achieved OCOP 5-star certification – confirming its quality meets export standards. However, the fact that Ngoc Linh ginseng is listed as an endangered species under the CITES Convention is hindering the completion of export documentation. Meanwhile, in the raw material area of ​​Sam Sam, Ngoc Linh ginseng has been propagated and planted on nearly 10 hectares.

[VIDEO] - Mr. Nguyen Duc Luc shares about his company's 5-star OCOP product:

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The CITES barrier is the main reason why products from Ngoc Linh ginseng cannot be exported. After numerous requests, Vietnamese authorities have asked CITES to reconsider the management classification for this medicinal plant. We await consensus to expand the international market for SAPHRATON and related products.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Luc - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sam Sam Co., Ltd.

Products that achieve national OCOP status are certified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and are permitted to use the national OCOP logo and stamp on packaging, labels, and promotional materials. The classification results are valid for 36 months from the date of recognition.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/dat-chuan-quoc-te-san-pham-ocop-5-sao-3149476.html