Branding provincial product

Those familiar with Quang Ninh province’s offerings will be aware of the Ba Kich trees in Ba Che; special chicken from Tien Yen; Cao ba lanh wine from Binh Lieu; Mong Cai sweet potato; and yellow flower sticky rice from Dong Trieu. These products are currently being established by Quang Ninh as branded and copyrighted tourism products as part of the One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme of Quang Ninh. Two years after its inception, the project has proven effective. The programme demonstrates the province’s efforts to identify, build, manage and protect the intellectual property rights of its agricultural products. Plans are in place to increase the productivity, quality and competitiveness of these products and expand their markets domestically and internationally.

The program has helped produce many branded products. From Binh Lieu comes vermicelli, honey, various locally grown snacks, teas and bath leaves, with the most special product being the potpourri containing star anise that has quickly become a firm favourite amongst tourists. The potpourri helps release stress and eliminates unwanted odours in cars, kitchens and wardrobes. It can also repel insects and is thought to help alleviate carsickness. It is an entirely natural product, containing no harmful chemicals.

Dong Trieu produces custard apples and milk, Dong Mai is known for its wine and yellow flower glutinous rice and Hoanh Bo offers honey and lingzhi mushrooms. Wine and products from flowers are produced by Bang Ca and Mong Cai offers tourists sweet potatoes, garlic wine and ham made from the meat of Mong Cai pigs. The garlic wine can provide relief for joint pain, heart problems, lung and throat conditions, digestive troubles and sleep disorders. Other products include Yen Tu plum wine, Ba Vang lingzhi mushrooms, Halong squid patties and Cai Rong-Van Don fish sauce, all of which are becoming increasingly popular amongst tourists.

The third OCOP fair of Quang Ninh will be held between April 29 and May 1, featuring 180 booths from the province as well as nearby provinces. The fair will be one of the annual events of the OCOP programme and one of the activities to celebrate Halong tourism week 2016, promoting OCOP products and raising the profile of Quang Ninh.