For a geographical indication to truly become a “passport” for Điện Biên’s agricultural products to reach far, there is a need for synchronous investment, close linkages, and a long-term strategy in the preservation, development, and promotion of local specialty brands.

Điện Biên has many specialty agricultural products, such as rice, coffee, tea, pineapple, and honey. Among them, Điện Biên rice has long been famous throughout the country and was the province’s first product to be protected by a geographical indication. In 2014, the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam recognized the geographical indication for Điện Biên rice to be used only for two rice products: Bắc thơm số 7 and IR64. The areas registered for the geographical indication include 15 communes and wards of Điện Biên Phủ city and the former Điện Biên district: Thanh Minh, Nam Thanh, Thanh Trường, Him Lam, Noong Bua, Thanh Xương, Thanh An, Noong Hẹt, Sam Mứn, Thanh Nưa, Thanh Luông, Thanh Hưng, Thanh Chăn, Thanh Yên, and Noong Luống. After being granted the geographical indication certificate, it has helped to elevate the value of Điện Biên’s rice grains, giving the product a firm standing in the market and earning the trust of consumers both inside and outside the province.

In August 2025, the Provincial People’s Committee issued a decision approving the geographical indication zone map “Mường Ảng” for Mường Ảng coffee products and the geographical indication zone map “Tủa Chùa” for Tủa Chùa Shan tuyết tea products. This is the result of a multi-year coordination process between various departments, sectors, and localities, demonstrating the province’s determination to bring its agricultural products to a wider market. With a geographical indication, Mường Ảng coffee and Tủa Chùa tea can be officially exported under their own names without having to go through other raw material regions.

Despite having advantages in natural conditions and a diversity of products, establishing geographical indications for agricultural products still faces many difficulties. According to the Department of Science and Technology, building a geographical indication dossier requires a laborious process of investigation, surveying, and collecting scientific evidence, from geographical, climatic, and soil characteristics to production processes, traditional factors, and market reputation. Given the large area, fragmented terrain, and still-difficult infrastructure, surveying and data collection face many obstacles. Many localities also lack specialized personnel knowledgeable in the field of intellectual property and geographical indications, causing the dossier preparation process to be slow or incomplete.

Another difficulty is the limited awareness among people and businesses about the value of a geographical indication. For many farming households, cultivation is still spontaneous, without much attention to complying with production processes or ensuring the quality and origin of raw materials according to the certified standards. Many still view the recognition of a geographical indication as a “title” rather than a legal tool to protect, develop, and exploit long-term brand value. Therefore, after being certified, many products have still not taken advantage of this to expand their market or increase their commercial value.

To date, the entire province has only one geographical indication “Điện Biên” for the Bắc thơm số 7 and IR64 rice products, along with one collective mark “Nếp tan Na Son”. In addition, there is the geographical indication zone “Mường Ảng” for Mường Ảng coffee and the geographical indication zone “Tủa Chùa” for Tủa Chùa Shan tuyết tea. The province also has 110 units registered for industrial property protection. Currently, Điện Biên is continuing to build and develop brands for many other specialty agricultural products such as Mường Thanh rice, Pu Lau honey pineapple, Na Sang pineapple, Pa Ham arrowroot vermicelli, Mường Ảng green-skinned pomelo, Tủa Chùa purple taro, Phì Nhừ taro, Na Son red peanuts, and Tìa Dình winter melon.

Establishing a geographical indication is difficult, but maintaining it is even harder, especially in effectively promoting the product after certification. For example, since being protected, Bắc thơm số 7 and IR64 rice have faced many difficulties and challenges in developing their value. In particular, the infringement of the Điện Biên rice geographical indication still occurs. According to the decision recognizing the “Điện Biên rice” geographical indication, it is only for Bắc thơm số 7 and IR64 rice products, but many rice products on the market today are using this indication, leading to consumer confusion, reducing the product’s reputation, and directly affecting the legitimate interests of both producers and businesses of the “Điện Biên rice” GI product.

Similarly, Tủa Chùa Shan tuyết tea, a specialty product of the northern highlands of Điện Biên, has also just had its geographical indication zone map approved. The recognition of the “Tủa Chùa” geographical indication is a step to affirm the brand of the ancient tea trees here, while also opening up great opportunities for the locality in developing specialty products linked with eco-tourism and indigenous culture. However, managing and effectively exploiting the geographical indication for Tủa Chùa tea still faces many barriers. Difficult transport infrastructure hinders the harvesting and transportation of fresh materials, leading to high production costs. The majority of the product is still consumed in its raw form, without investment in professional packaging and design, and a value chain from cultivation and processing to consumption has not yet been built. In addition, many areas of ancient tea trees are aging, with low yields, and lack resources for restoration and care. Without a reasonable plan for conservation and exploitation, the geographical indication risks existing only “on paper,” without bringing real value to the people.

Not only with coffee and tea, many other specialty agricultural products of Điện Biên such as pineapple, taro, winter melon, and red peanuts are also being researched and proposed for the establishment of geographical indication dossiers. For a geographical indication to truly become a “passport” for Điện Biên’s agricultural products to reach far, there needs to be close coordination between sectors, localities, and the people in planning production areas, managing quality, and building product brands.

Specifically, it is necessary to raise the awareness of people and businesses about the economic and legal value of geographical indications, viewing them not just as a certificate but as a tool for long-term protection and development. Along with that, resources should be prioritized for the investigation, surveying, and building of scientific dossiers, while also encouraging businesses and cooperatives to participate in the production, processing, and consumption chain of products bearing the geographical indication. When resources are effectively mobilized, community awareness is raised, and production is organized along a value chain, the geographical indication will become a driving force for sustainable agricultural development, elevating the brand of Điện Biên’s agricultural products.