Khanh Hoa Aims to Make OCOP Products Tourism Ambassadors

Khanh Hoa province is embarking on an ambitious initiative to transform its One Commune One Product (OCOP) offerings into genuine "tourism ambassadors," a strategic move designed to elevate local specialties and enrich the visitor experience. This forward-thinking plan, set to unfold from 2026 to 2030, aims to integrate at least 10% of OCOP products directly into the tourism value chain, prioritizing those that are distinctive and deeply rooted in the region's identity.

The selection criteria emphasize products with a 4-star rating or higher, alongside iconic local delicacies such as bird's nest, seaweed, agarwood, and various fruits like mangoes and durian. This focus ensures that tourists will encounter the authentic flavors and craftsmanship of Khanh Hoa. To facilitate this, the province intends to establish 30 dedicated OCOP-tourism experience points, strategically located to maximize accessibility and connection with existing tourist routes.

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If supported in connecting with hotel systems, resorts, airports, and travel businesses, OCOP products will have more opportunities to reach tourists instead of depending on stores as they do now.

Furthermore, Khanh Hoa is embracing digital transformation to bolster the promotion and consumption of these products. By 2030, every OCOP experience point will feature QR codes for customers to access detailed information and cultural narratives about the products. Crucially, all OCOP products integrated with tourism will be available on e-commerce platforms, smart tourism applications, and the provincial tourism website, making them more accessible than ever.

Local businesses and tourism operators see this as a vital step. They note that tourists are increasingly seeking authentic cultural experiences over mere sightseeing or relaxation. While the quality of local OCOP products is high, their presentation as high-end tourist souvenirs needs enhancement. Connecting these products with hotels, resorts, airports, and travel agencies, as suggested by Mr. Dang The Truyen of Camlam Online, is crucial for broader market access. The emphasis on storytelling and creating immersive experiences, as highlighted by Mr. Nguyen Quang Thang of the Khanh Hoa Tourism Association, will be key to unlocking the full potential of these local treasures and ensuring they truly serve as ambassadors for the province's rich culture and heritage.

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Tourists now not only want to buy specialties but also want to know how the products are made, and what culture they are associated with. If tours are built to experience craft villages, raw material areas, or production facilities, the value generated will be much higher than selling goods alone.