Bac Ninh: Supporting enterprises in developing OCOP products and science-technology innovation

By the end of 2024, Bac Ninh had 302 certified OCOP products, including 94 rated 4 stars and over 200 rated 3 stars. This achievement is largely attributed to the province’s support for businesses and cooperatives in applying scientific and technological advances in their production processes.

Supportive policies include funding for machinery and equipment used in OCOP product production and processing, assistance in digital marketing and e-commerce promotion, product quality certification support (such as ISO, HACCP, GMP), traceability labeling, advertising, marketing, and participation in domestic and international trade fairs and exhibitions.

Improving OCOP Product Quality and Branding

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Bac Ninh Province, building and developing an OCOP product brand is a long-term process requiring businesses and cooperatives to seriously invest in quality, packaging, and brand identity.

To help OCOP products succeed, policy, technical, and financial support from local authorities plays a crucial role. Bac Ninh has actively implemented comprehensive support policies for OCOP participants, enabling businesses and cooperatives to overcome initial difficulties, build strong brands, and enhance product value.

One key policy initiated by the Department of Agriculture and Environment involves subsidies for machinery and equipment used in OCOP product manufacturing and processing. The provincial government has provided support of up to 30% of machinery purchase costs, with a maximum of VND 500 million per organization. This initiative has helped businesses modernize their production lines, improve product quality, and enhance the market value and competitiveness of OCOP goods.

Bac Ninh has also prioritized digital promotion, a critical component amid ongoing modernization and digital transformation. The province has offered up to VND 2.4 million per OCOP product listed on e-commerce platforms and VND 12 million per producer. This program has enabled many rural specialty products to reach broader consumer bases online, especially those previously inaccessible to modern retail channels.

Additionally, quality management support has been a cornerstone of OCOP development. All OCOP-certified products in Bac Ninh are required to meet international standards. The government has subsidized up to VND 20 million per product for certifications such as ISO, HACCP, and GMP. These certifications not only elevate the global recognition of Bac Ninh’s OCOP products but also increase consumer trust and affirm product excellence.

Programs supporting product traceability, advertising, marketing, and participation in national and international exhibitions have been implemented in parallel, providing a solid foundation for OCOP goods to access both domestic and export markets. Thanks to these efforts, Bac Ninh has not only increased its number of 3-star OCOP products but also raised the proportion of 4- and even 5-star products.

On May 22, 2025, Bac Ninh’s OCOP Evaluation Council held a session to assess and rate 11 four-star OCOP products from five local entities.

Nguyen Thi Huyen, Deputy Director of PTK Vietnam JSC, shared: "Our company is proud that our fermented shrimp paste (mam tep PTK) has earned a 4-star OCOP rating. This recognition has not only increased the product's value but also elevated the company’s brand on the market. Bac Ninh’s support in brand promotion and participation in international trade events has greatly facilitated PTK’s access to overseas customers.”

She added, “PTK Vietnam is currently planning production in China and aims to expand into Europe and the US, including licensing our formulas, technologies, and brand abroad.”

Developing the Science and Technology Market

In recent years, Bac Ninh has actively promoted science and technology (S&T) market development, creating favorable conditions for the commercialization of research and innovation products to serve socio-economic development.

The Bac Ninh Department of Science and Technology has collaborated with the Ministry of Science and Technology to initiate the development of a technology exchange platform and an Innovation Startup Center. These initiatives aim to facilitate connections between research institutions, businesses, and investors. The province has also introduced policies to support intermediary organizations in the science and technology market, including human resource training, brokerage and consulting activities, and technology transfer promotion—ultimately forming domestic and international consulting and transfer networks.

Bac Ninh is gradually promoting the model of enterprises placing technology orders with universities and research institutes, fostering joint research projects. It is also developing tech incubators, creating platforms to nurture S&T businesses, giving them access to advanced technologies. The goal is to build an innovation ecosystem where businesses are not only “technology users” but also “technology creators.”

Some science and technology enterprises in Bac Ninh have already conducted R&D projects without relying on state funding and have successfully had them accepted. Many high-tech products developed by Vietnamese-led enterprises in Bac Ninh have entered the supply chains of multinational corporations such as Samsung and Canon.

In 2022, the province supported six S&T businesses in participating in Techmart events in Hanoi and Hai Phong. In 2023, Bac Ninh supported four businesses in showcasing products at the GROWTECH 2023 International Exhibition on Agriculture-Forestry-Fisheries Equipment and Technology in Ho Chi Minh City. The province also held two provincial-level Innovation Startup competitions (with over 120 ideas and projects submitted) and organized a conference on using e-commerce to connect local specialties with national and international markets.

On September 25, 2024, the Provincial Youth Union launched the Bac Ninh Youth Innovation Startup Center. In October 2024, the Youth Union and the Provincial Young Entrepreneurs Association established the Youth Innovation and Startup Fund. By April 2025, the province introduced a venture capital fund to support innovative startups, tech incubation, and digital transformation. In the near future, Bac Ninh plans to develop a "Startup Café" model and build an e-commerce support hub called “Cho Bac Ninh” (Bac Ninh Market) to assist businesses and individuals inside and outside the province in online sales.

To raise awareness and foster connections within the provincial innovation ecosystem—and link with neighboring provinces to form a regional and national innovation network—Bac Ninh will organize its 2025 Innovation and Startup Festival from Q2 to Q4, themed: Techfest Bac Ninh: "Unleashing Potential, Creating Prosperity."

Nguyen Thi Thom, Director of VN TTFOODS JSC, shared that with a vision to elevate Vietnamese spices internationally, VN TTFOODS now distributes nearly 100 SKUs across more than 30 provinces. Their OCOP-rated products range from 3 to 4 stars.

Their products have received Gold Medals and Awards for famous brands and health-friendly food. The “Traditional Special Spices – Chimax Home-style Vietnamese Flavors” project won third place nationally in the 2023 “Women’s Startup” competition, showcasing the strength of traditional values and the inner power of Vietnamese women entrepreneurs.

Building an Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem

The Sunflower Inclusive Education Support Center in Bac Ninh is another example of innovation with a social mission. Director Duong Thi Sim shared with Business Forum that their project “Using Cognitive-Language Development Kits for Children with Autism” won an award in the 2024 “Women’s Green and Innovative Startup” national competition. The center plans to continue developing high-quality educational programs to become a second home for children with autism and to fulfill its mission of genuine inclusive education.

Kieu Thi Trang, Director of the Sunflower Psychological and Educational Research Center, expressed: “With our slogan ‘Guided by Light’, we want to help parents navigate through uncertainty and find hope. Our educational philosophy is to shape character with compassion, using heart to reach hearts. We hope the provincial leadership and Department of Science and Technology will support us with facilities and specialized equipment so the center can continue contributing to Bac Ninh’s innovation ecosystem.”