The root of this situation lies not only in administrative procedures but also in the capacity to maintain production, market outlets, and the responsibility of the producers themselves.

The province currently boasts 147 OCOP products, many of which expanded their markets and built consumer trust after initial recognition. However, regulations dictate that OCOP certification is only valid for 36 months, after which a re-evaluation is mandatory. In reality, numerous producers have not proactively completed the necessary paperwork for re-recognition. Statistics show that among the 11 most recently expired products certified in 2022, 10 have yet to be re-evaluated. Collectively, from 2019 to 2025, the province saw 31 OCOP products expire without undergoing the re-certification process.

Nguyễn Thanh Bình, Deputy Chief of the provincial New-style Rural Development Coordination Office, suggests that this trend stems from both subjective and objective factors. From a subjective standpoint, some producers joined the program merely to follow a trend or capitalize on initial support policies without a long-term business strategy. When faced with periodic quality inspections, food safety requirements, or the costs of sample testing, many facilities choose to revert to conventional production. A lack of management capacity also prevents many from updating their standards according to new regulations.

Objectively, the mountainous terrain presents unique challenges such as high transport costs and narrow markets. Current incentives and rewards are often insufficient to motivate producers to invest in the re-evaluation process, while a lack of sanctions for using expired OCOP logos further diminishes the urgency of maintaining certification.

Specific cases highlight the varied nature of these struggles. For instance, half of the 10 products certified in 2022 that have now expired share a common issue: the owners wished to participate but could not complete the paperwork because re-evaluation dossiers no longer receive external completion support. This includes the canna noodles from the Lộc Biên Canna Noodle Cooperative. This product achieved a 3-star OCOP rating in 2022 but expired on January 14, 2026.

Đặng Văn Lộc, Director of the cooperative, explained that while they intended to re-certify and had even hired consultants, they were so preoccupied with investing in machinery and expanding production that they failed to track the paperwork progress closely. Consequently, they missed the deadline and are now waiting for the next recognition cycle.

The case of the Tây Bắc Clean Agricultural Products Cooperative in Quài Tở commune illustrates a different set of obstacles. Products such as wild apple vinegar and freeze-dried wild apples, recognized in 2022, alongside mountain melons from 2021, have all expired without re-certification. Cooperative representatives cited unstable market outlets and fluctuating raw material areas as the primary reasons for the lack of economic viability. Mùa Thị Hoa, Director of the cooperative, shared with regret that the cooperative is currently undergoing dissolution procedures, as they can no longer sustain production despite their significant dedication.

Ultimately, maintaining OCOP certification depends heavily on a producer’s organizational capacity, management, and market reach rather than just administrative steps. This reality calls for adjustments in how the program is implemented, suggesting that support should be consistent from the initial development stage through to the upgrading of standards. Strengthening market development, stabilizing raw material zones, and increasing linkages between producers are essential for long-term survival. For the producers, OCOP must be viewed as a continuous process of value enhancement rather than a mere title. The program only truly succeeds when a product evolves from an initial certification into a sustainable economic entity capable of adapting to the market.