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Vietnam Rural Industries Research & Development Institute (VIRI)

OPERATIONAL REPORT

2016

January – December/2016

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I. Research and publication activities

VIRI collaborated with Vietnam Handicraft Exporters’

Association (Vietcraft) in conducting the program “Revitalize

and develop craft products of ethnic minorities”. The aim of

the program is to: conserve and promote traditional trades of

ethnic minorities in Vietnam, at the same time introduce and

promote craft products to the world.

VIRI collaborated Vietnam Handicraft Exporters’

Association (Vietcraft) in conducting research and bulding

documentation of Local specialities as part of One Village

One Product Conference, led by Ministry of Trade and

Industry.

Based on World Fair Trade

Organization (WFTO) and Fairtrade

Labelling Organization (FLO)

together with practical actions taken

during the project “Promoting fair

trade in Vietnam”, VIRI published a

number of media (documentary) on

the agricultural practice meeting FLO

standard.

VIRI researched and documented meanings of traditional patterns of Thai, H’mong and

Muong ethnic minorities.

Publication introducing traditional textile of H’mong ethnic

minorities

Publication introducing Thai ethnic minorities’ brocade

weaving

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II. Practical research activities

VIRI collaborated with Hanoi University of Science and Technology in researching products

from orange: orange wine varieties, candied orange peels, orange chocolate, orange salt, etc.

Peanut butter Peanut butter

Peanut butter

VIRI researched and developed more products as local specialities with readily available raw

materials locally, contributing in the establishment and development of clean and wholesome

products suitable for human consumption such as: lime kudzu, orange kudzu, peanut butter,

etc.

Peanut butter

Lime Kudzu

In addition, in 2016, VIRI staffs continued to research a product line friendly with the

environment, clean production, good for human health, with focus on using new food

processing technology and marketing.

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III.Consultation activities:

Consult the planning of rural industries with Lam Dong Province

Consult the export strategies with Ministry of Trade and Industry

Consult with the black pepper industry

Consult for product development in Nghe An Province

IV. Technology transfer and capacity building activities

Capacity building activities for handicraft groups developing local specialities in Nghe

An Province: Chau Tien brocade group, Diem Village rattan group, Pha Village orange

production and orange product development group.

Capacity building for Diem Village rattan group

Capacity building for Pha Village orange production

and orange products development group

Capacity building in producing handicraft in Nghe An, Quang Nam, Quang Tri, Lao Cai

Capacity building - making rattan basket in Nghe An Capacity building - making rattan basket in Quang Tri

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Capacity building - Cut and make textile products in

Quang Nam Capacity building - make samples for brodcade

design in Lao Cai

Capcity building - marketing skills for producers in Nam Giang District, Quang Nam

Province

Capacity building – producing essential oil, orange wine, candied orange peels for groups

in Nghe An Province

Capacity building for making orange wine Capacity building for making peanut butter

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V. Community development activities

One of the goals of the Institute is to transform researches into practical programs for the

communities. As such, VIRI researches are put into community development program with

realistic goals for local people. VIRI has advocated a number of sponsors domestically and

international, local investments and voluntary contributions from VIRI to conduct many

projects in mountainous and ethnic minorities’ areas with thousands of households benefited

from the projects.

1. EU Multrap project:

Aim: Promoting fair trade in Vietnam .Sponsor: European Union (EU)

Lead: Vietnam Rural Industries Research and Development Institute(VIRI)

Colaborators:

+ Vietnam Handicraft Exporters’ Association (Vietcraft)

+ Vietnam Cocoa Coffee Association (Vicofa)

+ Vietnam Tea Association (Vitas)

Technical partner: World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)

In the second year of the Action, the Coordinator (VIRI) and its partners (Vitas, Vicofa and

Vietcraft) had carried out activities as planned.

A policy dialogue session on fair trade in Vietnam was organized successfully in Hanoi on

May 2016

Three (03) showcases introducing fair trade were organized in Hanoi and Hue; two (02)

television programs were broadcasted on national television

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Showcase in Hanoi VTV1 TV projgram introducing the project

The Website fairtrade.org.vn and policies engagement network were maintained and updated

which received 76,652 visits.

One (01) instruction manual on fair trade for small businesses and 03 introduction leaflets on

fair trade were published

Also in the second year, the project continued to publish one (01) Journal article in Vietnam

Economics Journal published by MOIT.

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Four (04) enterprises achieved fair trade certification and twelve (12) enterprises currently

applying were supported by the project

Eatu Cooperative gained fair trade certification

Eakar Cooperative gained fair trade certification

Market promotion for fair trade products

Introducing Frankfurt fair trade products in a

German trade fair, Frebuary 2016

Introducing fair trade products in a British trade

fair, September 2016

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Introducing fair trade products in a Thailand trade

fair, October 2016

Introducing fair trade products in a Thailand trade

fair, October 2016

2. JICA project

Aim: Diversify livelihoods through development of travel products

2.1 Research and develop orange products in Con Cuong District, Nghe An Province

2.1.1 Fresh orange harvest program:

Select the right beneficiaries

VIRI and JICA representative organized a meeting with

the 5 households selected

Support orange growers and local government in

registering for agricultural product quality

Establish a quality assurance system to increase product

quality for orange growers

Design and sample orange picking baskets for tourists

2.1.2 Orange wine/orange syrup/sugared oranges

Experimental production with orange growers

Develop detailed solutions, formulas and introductions to

local households.

Training on making orange fermented wine

Training on production of sugared oranges, orange soap,

and orange essential oil.

Register and complete procedures for food hygiene safety

Design logo, branding, labelling, and packaging

Develop local orange brand

2.2 Study on local specialties development in Nam

Dan District, Nghe An Province

2.2.1 Select the right beneficiary group

Sa Nam Cooperative (Nam Dan Town) for soy sauce

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Hung Hai peanut oil production facilities (village 2, Xuan Hoa Commune) for peanut oil and

peanut caramel treats

15 households (village 5, Nam Anh Commune) for kudzu powder and turmeric powder

2.2.2 Capacity building for production groups:

- Guarantee of product quality and food hygiene safety

- Guarantee of environmental factors

- Guarantee of labour safety and food hygiene safety

-Establish a system to monitor and supervise the production

2.2.3. Technical training:

Training in soy sauce production with Sa Nam Cooperative

Hung Hai peanut oil production facilities

Nam Anh cooperative group producing kudzu powder and turmeric powder

2.2.4. Examination and supervision

2.2.5 Registration and completion of food hygiene safety certification

2.2.6 Design logos, branding, labelling and packaging

2.2.7 Develop local specialties brands

Director of Trade Promotion Agency in Nghe An

Nguyen Trong Hung learned out the project

Product introduction in Mai King Temple

Festival

Nghe An Newspaper showcased the project

Nghe An TV network recorded showcase of

Nam Anh kudzu and turmeric products

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Former President Nguyen Sinh Hung came to the stall

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue joined the stall to find out about the products

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4. BTC project, Belgium

Aim: Market support for Vietnamese products to EU market

Packaging design and market promotion at domestic and international trade fairs.

Promotion at a domestic trade fair Promotion for EU market

5. Project of Hanoi trade promotion center

Aim: Consultation for product designs with aim to export

Design consultation for handicraft companies aiming for export

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DIRECTION AND WORK PLAN IN 2017

In 2017 VIRI commitment to support the team even after the project ends. VIRI is a leading

organization working for the sustainable development of rural industries in Vietnam. Here are

some of the major directions and plans for VIRI in 2017:

I. Research and Consultation activities

1. Research the Vietnamese regional specialties

2. Research the handicraft of ethnic minorities

3. In depth research on the herbal medicines of ethnic minorities people.

4. Research the handicraft of Lao, Cambodia and Myanmar

5. Research the planning of rural industries in Lam Dong province

II. Development activities:

1. Developing the products from essential oils (soap, shower gel, essence, essential oil

burner…)

2. Developing the products from kudzu, peanut, salt.

III. Community development activities

1. Continue to implement the development projects:

- EU – Mutrap project

- JICA project

- Project of BTC organization, Belgium

2. Search for funding

- Proposal send to UPS for project: “Improve women’s rights and child rights through

improvement of economic power, eradication of domestic violence and increase of abilities

to approach policies for women and child in Sapa district, Lao Cai province”.

- Proposal send to EU for project: “Promoting Fair Trade and Human rights in handicraft and

agricultural sectors in Vietnam”

IV. Market promotion activities

VIRI will collaborate with VIRICO and Vietcraft to develop the market for VIRI's production

groups by participating in major fairs: Lifestyle Fair in April, Regional Specialties Fair in the

end of year. In addition, VIRI strengthens and develops a system of fair trade showrooms in

Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City.