Lam Dong Launches 2026 Outstanding Rural Industrial Product Awards

Competing on a shared stage

According to Dang Trung Thai, Director of the Provincial Industrial Promotion Center under the Department of Industry and Trade, 2026 marks the first year Lam Dong has organized the Outstanding Rural Industrial Product selection program on a province-wide scale following the administrative merger.

The initiative represents an important milestone, creating a broader development space and providing an opportunity for distinctive local products from across the province to compete on a shared platform. Through the program, authorities aim to identify and honor high-quality products that reflect the unique identity of each region and have the potential to become strong provincial brands in the years ahead.

With its vast area and abundant natural resources, Lam Dong is well positioned to develop a wide range of agricultural, forestry and seafood processing industries, particularly in tea, coffee, dragon fruit, cashew nuts, silk, seafood and other traditional rural handicrafts.

The province is currently home to about 4,730 agricultural, forest product, seafood and food-processing facilities, along with more than 8,170 businesses and household producers operating in rural handicraft and small-scale industrial sectors.

Many of these products are recognized for their quality, attractive design and popularity among both domestic and international consumers. However, most producers operate on a small scale, rely on traditional sales channels and have limited strategies for branding, marketing and market expansion.

The selection program is therefore expected to identify and showcase products with outstanding quality and practical value, while helping producers strengthen production capacity, expand markets and contribute to the sustainable development of rural industries in Lam Dong.

High expectations for quality products

This year's selection is open to products or product lines developed by small and medium-sized enterprises, cooperatives and registered household businesses directly engaged in industrial and handicraft production across the province.

Entries will primarily fall into three categories: processed agricultural, forest product, seafood and food products; handicrafts; and machinery, equipment, mechanical components and other industrial products serving production or consumer needs.

Eligible products must meet a number of requirements, including compliance with intellectual property regulations, the capacity for mass production, and lawful circulation and distribution in the market.

Beyond product quality, this year's evaluation places strong emphasis on innovation, the application of science and technology, digital transformation in production, brand development, environmental sustainability, and the potential to expand into both domestic and export markets.

Dang Trung Thai said that in the second half of the year, the Provincial Industrial Promotion Center will work closely with local authorities to step up awareness campaigns for the provincial Outstanding Rural Industrial Product selection program.

The center will focus on guiding applicants, receiving submissions and assisting the provincial selection council in evaluating and scoring entries in accordance with regulations. The process is expected to result in the recognition of around 70 outstanding rural Industrial products of Lam Dong in 2026.

Selected products will have opportunities to participate in trade promotion activities, exhibitions, supply-demand networking events and, notably, receive priority access to state-supported industrial promotion programs.

“We expect this year's selection to honor many high-quality products that embody the identity of the new Lam Dong Province and showcase the diversity of its natural conditions, cultural heritage and production strengths across different regions,” Thai said.