A conference on applying digital transformation to develop (One Commune, One Product) OCOP export products was jointly held on August 1 in Hanoi by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Alibaba.com, and NBT Holdings, the authorized representative of Alibaba in Vietnam.

The event is designed to help OCOP entities such as businesses, cooperatives, and household producers adopt digitalization and expand their access to cross-border e-commerce platforms. It formed part of the Vietnam OCOPEX 2025 trade fair, taking place from August 1 to 3.

The conference focused on improving product quality, enhancing transparency, standardizing labeling, ensuring traceability, and expanding distribution networks, especially through global e-commerce platforms.

In his speech, Vu Ba Phu, Director General of VIETRADE, said that digital trade promotion has been actively strengthened and renewed in recent years, enabling businesses to boost production, trade, and exports in an increasingly dynamic environment. These efforts serve as a foundation for 2025 trade promotion activities to continue connecting businesses with markets and delivering practical results.

Phu noted that VIETRADE has collaborated with both domestic and international partners to design and adjust trade promotion activities in line with actual conditions, with a focus on supporting businesses in exploring new market development channels.

Digital transformation, he said, has helped exporters reduce costs, shorten order processing times, increase transaction speed, and expand their customer base, thereby contributing to the country’s export performance.

The OCOP program has become a key driver of rural economic development, with products increasingly improved in terms of design, packaging, traceability, and environmental friendliness. As of July 2025, a total of 17,068 OCOP products from 9,195 entities have been rated three stars or higher, including 126 products awarded the national five-star rating.

Despite these achievements, many OCOP entities, mainly small- and medium-sized enterprises, cooperatives, or household producers, still face limitations in specialized human resources, IT capacity, e-commerce skills, and knowledge of cross-border transaction processes. As a result, many remain unable to access global markets, even with export-ready products.

Experts at the conference analyzed the current bottlenecks preventing OCOP products from reaching international markets. These include inconsistencies in labeling standards, limited adaptation to modern consumer trends, and insufficient transparency in product information and online verification for international buyers.

Digitalizing local products and developing sustainable digital strategies were emphasized as key solutions for maintaining OCOP’s competitiveness in the digital trade era.

To support effective digital transformation, the conference featured practical content such as applying digital tools in export promotion, adapting local products to global consumer trends, standardizing for cross-border e-commerce platforms, and connecting Alibaba.com experts with Vietnamese businesses.

In addition, a panel discussion titled “OCOP Go Global” featured expert insights on expanding OCOP products into global B2B markets.

Through the program, businesses enhanced their online sales capabilities, built professional brand identities and systems, and expanded their market networks toward sustainable development in line with green consumption trends and globalized trade.

Hanoi August expo to highlight top OCOP products for export

VOV.VN - A fair pomoting Vietnam’s export-ready OCOP (One Commune One Product) goods will be held from August 1 to 3 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi.

Expo to showcase OCOP products for exports

An exhibition promoting export-oriented OCOP (One Commune One Product) items is set to run from October 31 to November 4, at Grand World Square in Vinhomes Ocean Park 3, the northern province of Hung Yen, heard an October 25 press briefing.