Cao Bang Agricultural Products Make a Mark at the First Autumn Fair 2025

A Corner of the Highlands in the Heart of the Fair

Amid the lively atmosphere of the First Autumn Fair 2025, Tan Viet A Cooperative’s booth stood out with its rustic decor of bamboo, rattan, and earthy tones. From early morning, visitors stopped by to admire and purchase products brought all the way from Cao Bang — a mountainous province in northern Vietnam.

The highlights included Phuc Sen knives, meticulously hand-forged by Nung ethnic blacksmiths, and Sen Cu Muong Khuong rice, known for its aromatic, chewy grains grown on high mountain terraces. Other specialties such as forest honey, vermicelli made from arrowroot (mien dong), red peanuts, wild shiitake mushrooms, and a variety of other local produce also filled the shelves.

“We came here not just to sell but to share the stories behind our homeland’s products,” said Ms. Dan, representative of Tan Viet A Cooperative, as she poured guests a cup of roasted rice tea. “Every item here represents the hard work and pride of ethnic minority farmers — the essence of our mountains and forests.”

According to Ms. Dan, all cooperative products are carefully selected, traceable, and meet strict food safety standards. Notably, both Phuc Sen knives and Sen Cu rice are certified OCOP products — official recognition for outstanding local specialties — and are widely regarded as cultural icons of the northern highlands.

“Phuc Sen knives are completely hand-forged without machinery — each hammer strike reflects skills passed down through generations,” she explained. “Meanwhile, Sen Cu rice grows only in cold climates, producing small, soft, and aromatic grains. These two products are the pride of our people in Cao Bang.”

Bridging Local Value and Urban Consumers

Founded in 2017, Tan Viet A Cooperative initially specialized in producing Phja Den arrowroot vermicelli, using starch sourced from local farmers. The cooperative has since expanded its operations — supplying seeds, fertilizers, and purchasing crops — forming a sustainable production network that promotes scientific farming and provides rural employment.

Thanks to this integrated model, the cooperative has built a clean, high-quality raw material base and continually improved its product standards. Tan Viet A vermicelli now holds a four-star OCOP certification and meets export requirements for the U.S. market. In January 2025, the cooperative exported its first 4-ton shipment of mien dong to the United States — a major milestone for a mountain-based enterprise.

At the fair, many visitors expressed interest in the cooperative’s products, recognizing the blend of authenticity and professionalism behind them.

Ms. Dan recalled the early, challenging days of her entrepreneurial journey:

“Our farmers made wonderful products, but they lacked packaging, labeling, and marketing. We established the cooperative to change that — to bring highland produce into supermarkets, specialty stores, and even overseas markets.”

To achieve this, Tan Viet A invested in professional packaging, branding, and quality control. Every product now includes QR-coded traceability and detailed information about its origin. The cooperative also guides farmers toward organic cultivation methods, avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Thanks to these efforts, in 2024 Tan Viet A secured stable distribution partnerships in Hanoi, Hai Duong, Thai Nguyen, and several organic produce chains. Notably, Phuc Sen knives — once sold only in local markets — are now available on major e-commerce platforms, elegantly boxed and officially certified for quality.

“Every time I see a customer in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City holding a Phuc Sen knife or praising the aroma of Sen Cu rice, I feel deeply moved,” Ms. Dan said emotionally. “It represents our long journey — climbing mountains and overcoming market barriers — to preserve our cultural identity.”

Listening, Adapting, and Growing

For Tan Viet A, the fair was not only a venue to sell but also a chance to listen to customer feedback and adapt products accordingly.