Transparent and strict in evaluating and classifying OCOP products

Not chasing quantity, Binh Thuan clearly defines the goal of improving quality in the One Commune One Product (OCOP) Program. The evaluation and classification of products are carried out publicly and transparently by the Provincial OCOP Council, ensuring that products are recognized as worthy.

According to regulations, OCOP certificates from 3 to 5 stars are valid for 36 months. After this period, products must be re-evaluated. From 2024, the OCOP product evaluation criteria have been adjusted to be tighter, especially for 4-star products. Newly added “hard” criteria such as environment, intellectual property, quality certification, etc. require OCOP entities to invest in depth and have a systematic and long-term development strategy.

One of the units that meets the new requirements well is Ham Minh 30 Dragon Fruit Production Service Cooperative (Ham Minh Commune, Ham Thuan Nam District). With 42 members, the Cooperative is cultivating more than 100 hectares of dragon fruit according to VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards. The unit proactively registers trademarks, growing area codes, geographical indications, and designs packaging and expands export markets. The Cooperative's white-fleshed and red-fleshed dragon fruit products are available in Hong Kong, Dubai, India, Taiwan and are preparing to enter the Korean market. These two products have been recognized as 4-star OCOP since 2020 and have just been re-certified according to new criteria. Ms. Le Phuong Chi - Director of Ham Minh Dragon Fruit Production Service Cooperative said: Products must be approved at the district level before being submitted to the Provincial OCOP Council for assessment and classification. The process is very strict and rigorous from district-level appraisal to classification at the provincial level.

Provincial OCOP Council evaluates and classifies OCOP products 2025

As of June 5, 2025, the province has 194 OCOP products, of which 7 products have achieved 4 stars and 187 products have achieved 3 stars. In 2024, the Provincial OCOP Council received 10 dossiers, after appraisal, submitted to the Provincial People's Committee for recognition of 7 4-star OCOP products. The new point this year is the application of digital software in the evaluation process. Council members can easily access, compare evidence and score according to each criterion specified in Decision 148 of the Prime Minister . The system helps eliminate emotional factors, ensure fairness, objectivity and enhance transparency throughout the process.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Phuoc - Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment said: The classification of OCOP products is currently divided into 3 levels: District, Provincial and Central. Products that want to be recognized at the provincial level must pass the strict assessment step at the district level. Therefore, from 2022 to now, the province has only had a few more products achieving 4 stars, although the number of OCOP products in the area is quite large. In 2025, the Provincial OCOP Council is continuing to organize the assessment of 21 more 4-star products proposed by localities.

In the coming time, Binh Thuan will continue to focus on developing OCOP products in depth, raising the standards of 4-star products and aiming for potential 5-star products. Authorities at all levels will accompany and support OCOP entities to improve quality, complete their identity, participate in evaluation and trade promotion, in order to bring OCOP products closer to consumers, becoming strong brands in the market.