Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, Provincial Party Secretary Hau A Leng, and delegates enjoying Shan tuyet tea at the 2025 Northern Region Outstanding Rural Industrial Products Fair in Tuyen Quang
The newly formed Tuyen Quang now encompasses a broader and more complex landscape, presenting both challenges and unique complementary advantages - from the lowlands suitable for extended-season oranges to the high-altitude terrain ideal for specialty teas. Provincial leaders are focusing on policy harmonization as the crucial next step to unlock this potential.
For years, both preceding provinces recognized agriculture's importance, but the merger has crystallized the need for a cohesive, large-scale, and standards-compliant system. The policy foundations were already strong, notably with former Tuyen Quang's Resolution No. 16-NQ/TU (2016–2025) on commercial agriculture and the former Ha Giang's focus on high-quality signature products under Resolution No. 17-NQ/TU (2021–2025).
The consolidation aims to combine these policy strengths, creating a single governing framework that mandates consistent quality standards, such as VietGAP and GlobalGAP.
"Policy harmonization is essential for establishing a cohesive framework across the province", stated Mr. Cao Hung Dung, Chairman of the Tuyen Quang Cooperative Alliance. "Consistency in product quality is critical for entering modern distribution chains and meeting the requirements of demanding export markets. Fragmented production undermines competitiveness."
The transition from subsistence farming to professional, market-driven production has been significantly aided by targeted financial support programs. These policies act as a powerful financial lever, helping small producers and cooperatives professionalize their operations.
A prime example is the Son Tra Cooperative in Hong Thai commune. Utilizing support under a provincial resolution, the cooperative secured a favorable VND 400 million loan (approximately USD 15,700) with subsidized interest. Director Dang Ngoc Pho confirmed this timely investment allowed the cooperative to expand and enhance product quality. Today, Son Tra boasts four 4-star OCOP (One Commune, One Product) tea selections and a 3-star safe rice product.
This success story highlights the direct link between effective policy access and improved local livelihoods, strengthening both brand value and sustainable development.
The results of this strategic focus are already visible. The consolidated province now boasts an impressive 509 OCOP products rated 3 stars or higher, including two 5-star products. High-value, established brands like Ngoc Thuy tea, Shan tuyet tea, dried buffalo meat, and forest honey are now positioning Tuyen Quang's goods for broader market access, as seen by the recent display of hundreds of OCOP products at a major commercial center.
The emphasis is now shifting toward specialized, concentrated production zones that connect lowland and highland strengths: Extended-season, high-quality Sanh orange zones. Specialty tea zones leveraging altitude and modern processing. Medicinal herb zones for stable supply and deep processing. Plantation timber zones linked to the wood-processing industry. By increasing scale and cohesion, Tuyen Quang aims to reduce risks for enterprises, boost competitiveness, and reward farmers for shifting towards safe, organic, and environmentally friendly production.
The emergence of commercial agriculture as Tuyen Quang's strategic pillar is more than a local economic plan - it is a clear, top-down strategy to modernize a key sector and accelerate regional development.
With a unified policy framework, Tuyen Quang is setting the stage for a transparent and stable investment climate, ensuring the agricultural sector contributes robustly to sustainable development and enhances the quality of life for residents across its newly diverse terrain. The province is effectively transforming a complex administrative merger into an economic opportunity, positioning itself as a key supplier of high-quality, traceable agricultural products on the global stage.
Nguyen Thanh Hieu
Vietnamese source on Tuyen Quang Portal
