In recent years, Tuyen Quang province has made significant strides in its export activities, successfully expanding markets and increasing the economic value of its agricultural products and local goods. Key products like tea, cultivated timber, cassava starch, sugar cane, and One Commune One Product (OCOP) items are steadily establishing a strong foothold in both domestic and international markets.
A black bean and green heart tea bag product from Hong Phat Organic Agriculture Cooperative (Kim Binh commune), one of the products exported to the UK.
Stable Growth
According to statistics from the Department of Industry and Trade, Tuyen Quang's export value in August 2025 remained stable, with many agricultural products achieving impressive export turnovers. Local businesses and cooperatives have placed a greater emphasis on product quality, adopting international standards to meet the strict requirements of importing markets. The tea industry, a key strength of the province, has notably expanded its exports to demanding markets such as the EU, Japan, and the United States. Additionally, cultivated timber and wood products continue to be highly regarded by international partners for their quality and legal origin.
In August 2025, the total import-export value of goods in Tuyen Quang was estimated at $US 94.7 million, a 47.6% increase compared to the same period last year. The accumulated value for the first eight months of the year reached $ US 672.2 million, up 75.6%, and achieving 87.3% of the annual plan. Specifically, August's export value was $ US 75.1 million, a 77.8% increase, bringing the total for the first eight months to $ US 534.2 million, up 106.7% year-on-year and completing 98.9% of the annual plan. Conversely, import turnover for August was $ US 19.5 million, down 10.8% compared to the same period, with the eight-month accumulated value at $ US 138 million, an 11.1% increase, but only reaching 60% of the annual plan.
These results clearly show that exports, particularly of agricultural products, are becoming a key driver of the province's economic growth. In the export structure, agricultural goods account for a large proportion, with key items including tea, cassava starch, sugar, timber and wood products, along with OCOP products processed from agricultural goods.
Expanding Exports for OCOP Products
In the global trend toward a green economy and integration, agricultural products must meet two simultaneous requirements to succeed internationally: High quality and transparent origin. This is also the strategic direction for many cooperatives in Tuyen Quang.
As a pioneer in organic agriculture, Ms. Pham Thi Hong, Director of Hong Phat Organic Agriculture Cooperative (Kim Binh commune), understands the challenges of producing clean agricultural products. The cooperative's black bean and green heart tea bag product was recognized as a 4-star OCOP product in 2021 and received the title of typical rural industrial product in 2022. Thanks to strict adherence to regulations and support from various levels of government, the cooperative now provides jobs for nearly 10 workers, with annual revenue exceeding VND 4 billion, of which 20% comes from exports. To expand further, Ms. Hong believes the cooperative needs additional support in technology, digital transformation, and international trade skills. This is not only a need for Hong Phat but a common requirement for many cooperatives seeking to integrate into the global market.
Another success story is the Chieu Yen Clean Banana Cooperative. In 2024, the cooperative's crispy fried bananas and dried soft bananas were recognized as 3-star OCOP products and became two of the first seven products from the province to be exported to the UK. Last August, the cooperative continued to export 3,000 jars of bananas, affirming the reach of Tuyen Quang's agricultural products.
The Minh Quang Tea Cooperative (Thong Nguyen commune) has also made its mark with a closed-loop organic Shan Tuyet tea production model. With 129 participating households, the cooperative produces about 120 tons of fresh tea per year, which is processed into a variety of products such as White Tea, Black Tea, and Pu-erh Tea. Many of these products have achieved 4-star OCOP status at the provincial level, with selling prices reaching up to VND 2-4 million per kilogram. The cooperative is currently experimenting with a new tea line that combines medicinal herbs and fruits, targeting demanding markets like the EU and the Middle East.
Mr. Cao Hung Dung, Chairman of the Provincial Cooperative Alliance, stated that the province currently has 1,546 cooperatives with nearly 35,000 members and a total operating capital of over VND 1.6 trillion. Many new-style cooperatives have adopted high technology and own OCOP products, but they still face many challenges, including small scale, a lack of capital, difficulty accessing preferential loans, and limitations in infrastructure and young human resources.
In the context of global integration, the demand for clean, traceable agricultural products that meet international standards is growing. This presents a great opportunity for the cooperative economy to develop, but it also requires cooperatives to innovate their management, enhance digital transformation, ensure product information transparency, and build strong brands.
Nguyen Thanh Hieu
Based on a Vietnamese article on Tuyenquangonline
