Điện Biên has strong advantages in several crops, including rice, coffee, macadamia, fruit trees, and a wide variety of vegetables. Thanks to its unique terrain and soil conditions, large day- night temperature differences, and minimal environmental pollution, organic and clean production has helped form the distinctive flavor of Điện Biên’s produce - which has become popular among consumers. Agricultural products from Điện Biên showcased at fairs and trade promotion events across provinces and cities have drawn considerable interest and purchases.

The vast Mường Thanh field covers more than 14,000ha of wet- rice cultivation, producing fragrant, soft-textured rice that has become the province’s flagship export to other markets. Mường Ảng’s 4,000ha of Arabica coffee has been processed, branded, and distributed in many localities. Pu Lau honey pineapple is large-sized with broad eyes, few thorns, a rich sweetness and aroma, juiciness, and does not cause tongue irritation. Aside from favorable climate and soil, people in Pu Lau (Mường Nhà commune) apply technical methods in planting and tending pineapples, and partner with cooperatives for crop care and product consumption. Notably, macadamia, although new, has already positioned Điện Biên as Vietnam’s “macadamia capital”, with more than 10,600ha planted provincewide. About 1,500ha are currently under harvest, producing fragrant, rich nuts with high economic value. The province prioritizes macadamia development in concentrated areas linked with processing and consumption, and encourages farmers to partner with enterprises to ensure seedling quality, crop care and guaranteed off-take.

In the highlands of Tủa Chùa, shan tuyết tea has become a signature product with a unique taste, harvested from centuries-old ancient tea trees recognized as Vietnam heritage trees. Mong ethnic households hand-pick the leaves without using pesticides, ensuring pure, safe quality. The brewed tea has a golden color and leaves a lingering sweet-bitter note on the tongue.

Alongside major products, Điện Biên is also developing fruit (such as oranges and green-skin pomelo), and a range of vegetables under safe supply-chain models to secure stable outlets. Apart from rice, the Mường Thanh basin also produces organically oriented vegetables, creating clean and safe food. Mường Pồn and Na Sang communes have developed safe vegetable chains, with Nam Dương Cooperative operating 13ha certified to VietGAP standards. A highlight is wax gourd, planted on over 10ha, where Nam Dương Cooperative applies mulching and drip irrigation to reduce costs and boost productivity and fruit quality. Applying non-chemical planting processes, more than 40% of tea area at Phan Nhất Tea Co., Ltd. in Mường Lạn commune has earned organic certification. In the direction of organic clean farming, Cara Farm Vietnam Co., Ltd. applies advanced techniques to build seedling, new-planting and intensive-farming models for oranges and green-skin pomelo in Mường Thanh ward, delivering outstanding yields and quality.

In reality, VietGAP and organic clean production delivers both economic value and safe food supply. However, organic models still face obstacles, as investment in production and processing technology remains fragmented and small-scale, and value-chain linkages between production and consumption are still limited. With outreach, guidance and mobilization from the agricultural sector, more households are joining cooperative linkages, complying with value-chain processes to ensure traceability and raise product value.

Consumers increasingly prioritize health and “clean living”, which requires agricultural products to be safe, clean and clearly traceable. High-potential, high-value agricultural products are being oriented towards organic production and value-chain linkage, with brand building under the OCOP program. From fragmented, small-scale operations, farmers are shifting towards cooperative and enterprise-linked models, complying with value-chain processes to ensure traceability and raise product value.

Developing agriculture along organic, VietGAP standard and traceable directions not only produces clean products and raises value, but also affirms Điện Biên’s agricultural brand, creating momentum for sustainable development. This is the right direction and an opportunity for Điện Biên agriculture, which needs expansion in scale, stronger connectivity, replication of effective models, and improved farmer awareness on sustainable agricultural development.