Da Nang is taking local specialties abroad

Lifting Vietnamese agricultural products

In early July, at the production facility of My Phuong Food Company (Dai La hamlet, Hoa Khanh Nam ward, Da Nang city), the hum of machinery and the aroma of coconut cakes filled the air. Orders for baked coconut cakes were being completed one after another for export to countries like China, the United States, and Israel.

Watching carefully packed boxes being loaded onto trucks headed to the port, Mrs. Mai Thi Y Nhi – co-founder of My Phuong Food – could not hide her pride as she recalled the challenging early days. Hailing from Tam Quan in Gia Lai, a region famed for its shaded coconut groves, she and her husband were determined to turn their natural advantage into a signature product rich in local character. “We started from zero with a simple dream: to use the coconuts from our homeland to make delicious, high-quality cakes,” she said.

However, making a baked coconut cake that meets export standards was not easy. Hundreds of failed tests, sleepless nights by the oven, and nearly unlimited patience were exchanged for the sweet result: crispy, fragrant coconut cakes under the Top Coco brand, awarded OCOP 4-star status with the potential for 5-star, winning over domestic and export markets.

The most memorable milestone was the confirmation of their first order to Japan. Mrs. Y Nhi shared, “At that moment I felt both happy and pressured. Once you step onto the global stage, every process – from raw materials to production and packaging – must achieve near-perfect precision.”

From that initial milestone, My Phuong Food’s export journey expanded rapidly. Without intermediaries, the company itself established and signed contracts directly with partners in South Korea, Taiwan, the U.S., Laos, France, Mongolia… Each market has its own requirements, forcing the team to continuously learn, adapt, and improve product quality to reach international standards.

The spirit of “lifting Vietnamese agricultural products” is shown not only in exports to 15 countries but also in constant product innovation. Alongside the traditional Top Coco coconut cake, the company has developed new products like fruity coconut cakes and coconut cakes combined with nuts to cater to diverse global tastes. Currently, the company produces three main product lines with over 20 types of baked coconut cakes at about 3 tons per day, half of which are for export.

According to Mrs. Y Nhi, taking a local specialty from domestic consumption to the global market is a long, challenging journey. “Producing for the domestic market is very different from exporting. For exports, everything must meet international standards – from raw materials and processing lines to packaging and preservation. Those little details can determine survival in the global arena,” she said.

It is not just technology or technique, but also love for hometown produce and unwavering dedication to quality that create My Phuong Food’s unique identity. “We see each cake as a small ambassador telling a story of meticulous care, passion, and love for our homeland’s produce,” Mrs. Y Nhi remarked.

Supporting OCOP exports

With the same aspiration to bring homeland agricultural products to the world, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Son, Director of Huong Que Production‑Processing‑Trading‑Export‑Import Co., Ltd (Da Nang), has persistently conquered international markets with signature products from Tra My cinnamon such as slippers, insole soles, and ultra‑fine cinnamon powder. These products are now present in Germany, Hungary, France, and the Czech Republic… contributing to raising the value of cinnamon among the ethnic minority communities of Nam Tra My.

According to Mr. Son, Tra My cinnamon stands out due to its high essential oil content and a unique sweet‑spicy‑intense aroma. Long considered “mountain jade cinnamon,” a tribute to the Nguyen dynasty. However, for this product to go far, companies must overcome each market’s strict technical barriers, improve product quality, ensure environmental friendliness, and meet international standards. When production and export are professionally organized, local agricultural goods can truly win over global consumers.

The success of enterprises like Huong Que and My Phuong Food demonstrates the practical effectiveness of the OCOP program in Da Nang. In recent years, OCOP has become a springboard for local production facilities to start up, develop distinctive products linked to value chains, and expand consumption markets.

To support OCOP participants, the city has implemented practical activities such as investing in machinery and equipment, advising on packaging standards, developing distribution channels, and participating in domestic and international fairs. Additionally, OCOP product display points at Han Market and Son Tra night market help products reach both residents and tourists directly.

Mrs. Vu Thi Bich Hau, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Agriculture and Environment, said that OCOP products are gradually confirming their value and reputation in the market, growing revenue, and contributing to improved incomes and living standards for urban and rural residents.

“OCOP products from Da Nang are not only available in the local market but also in foreign markets. We want to support their development through design, processes, and standards so that exports bring real value to producers and OCOP participants. OCOP products help increase income, create jobs, and, most importantly, create product value and labor chains,” Mrs. Hau stated.