Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark partners develop OCOP products associated with tourism

Possessing abundant natural resources with many famous products and a culture imbued with national identity, Cao Bang has favorable conditions to develop OCOP products from local strengths. By November 2024, the province had 144 OCOP products belonging to 4 categories of 91 OCOP entities including: 27 cooperatives, 7 cooperative groups, 10 enterprises, 47 production and business households. Most of the products are harnessed for tourism activities.
To link OCOP products with tourism development, Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark partners have been focusing on improving product quality, perfecting packaging and label designs; creating high-quality OCOP product lines as gifts to serve the needs of tourists; linking the OCOP products to consumers at supermarkets, shops, homestays, farmstays, restaurants, hotels, etc. At the same time actively participating in introducing and promoting OCOP products, typical products, strengths of the province at expos, cultural - tourism events, national and regional Geoparks Network events such as A series of fairs introducing and promoting products of ethnic minority areas with special difficulties in the province and space for displaying OCOP products; The booths for Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark partner network and OCOP products at the 8th APGN Symposium; Cao Bang OCOP trade promotion fair 2024, etc.

OCOP products not only meet quality and aesthetic standards but are also associated with local historical and cultural characteristics. Many products and services have received attention, trust, and high appreciation from international consumers and tourists. Typically, the Green Tea and Black Tea products of Kolia Company Limited achieved 4-star OCOP certification in the program "One Commune One OCOP Product" in 2023. With a completely organic farming process, free from pesticides and chemicals, preserving the natural flavor and essence of tea, the Kolia tea brand is widely accepted and consumed in the domestic market and exported to China, Taiwan (China), and Australia.

In addition, Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark partners have been focusing on improving and diversifying experiential, sightseeing and shopping activities at traditional craft villages and community-based tourism villages, etc. Thereby, increasing the attractiveness of tourism products, bringing excitement and new experiences to visitors. With the above efforts, a number of rural tourism service businesses in the Geopark partner network have been granted OCOP certification, typically: Lan's Homestay (Trung Khanh), Yen Nhi - Ban Gioc Homestay (Trung Khanh), Me Farmstay (Ha Quang). In particular, Lan's Homestay is the only tourism model in the province to date to achieve 4-star OCOP certification. The homestay consists of two rows of traditional stilt houses, an ancient stone house with unique architecture that retains its rustic beauty but still ensures full amenities for visitors to stay. From this homestay, visitors can conveniently visit famous landmarks such as Ban Gioc waterfall, Nguom Ngao cave, Quay Son river... In particular, visitors have the opportunity to participate in activities to experience the life of indigenous people such as: wearing traditional ethnic costumes, experiencing rice planting, gardening, horse riding, enjoying local specialties...
 

Ms. Hoang Thi Lan, Director of Ban Gioc Waterfall International Tourism Company Limited (Trung Khanh), owner of Lan's Homestay shared that currently, Lan's Homestay can welcome up to 70 guests per day, the average room occupancy on weekends is 85 - 90%, with visitors from across the country and around the world such as Republic of Korea, Japan, and Europe. To ensure the maintenance of product quality in line with OCOP criteria, Lan's Homestay prioritizes building environmentally friendly accommodation facilities and providing a variety of services to meet the needs of visitors for sightseeing, experiencing traditional crafts, and enjoying local cuisine. In addition, we actively introduce and connect the consumption of OCOP certified products of Trung Khanh district, such as: sticky rice, chestnuts, Khao cakes, etc., contributing to widely promoting local agricultural products.

Mr. Vi Tran Thuy, Director of Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark Management Board, said that developing OCOP products associated with tourism not only enriches tourists’ experience but also helps to enhance the value, promote the consumption of typical products and improve the income for local people. In the coming time, Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark Management Board will continue to review and evaluate potential products and services to support entities in effectively linking OCOP products with tourism. Thereby, preserving and honoring traditional cultural identities and promoting sustainable tourism development in Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark.