Twice a month, Ho Thi Huong in Huong Phu commune, Nam Dong district brings home-grown vegetables and oranges to the district’s Culture Center to sell. The regular Nam Dong market session has become a rendezvous for both residents and tourists.

Huong has a greenhouse farm growing hydroponic and organic vegetables and fruits, such as melons, pepino, and other safe agricultural products.

Every day, she promotes her products on Zalo and Facebook while participating in the market session at the weekends, she can directly introduce her products and connect with customers.

“I sell melons, bananas, and safe vegetables. I have more customers when participating in the rural market sessions. There, we sell our home-grown agricultural products which are often picked early in the morning,” said Huong.

The items introduced and sold at the market session are the most typical local products ranging from handicrafts to specialties and dishes popular among tourists.

Tran Thi Ngo of Quang Dien district said she feels secure when shopping at rural market sessions in Nam Dong district because these are home-made products and very safe.

She said she finds it very convenient to shop in Nam Dong market because there are many reputable businesses, which offer farm produce grown according to VietGap standards.

“I feel secure buying products for myself and my family or as gifts. I also recommend the market to my friends,” said Ngo.

Nguyen Thai Ha, President of the Nam Dong District Farmers’ Association said the Association has mobilized local farm households to improve the quality and value of their products such as oranges, guavas, and bananas using organic growing methods.

The district has regularly organized rural market sessions to connect supply and demand and develop sustainable brands for the local farm produce.

“The Association has coordinated with various agencies to help farmers sell their products. We have helped them participate in market sessions and fairs and exhibit and promote local agricultural products at provincial and district trade fairs,” said Ha.

A Luoi night market has been reorganized to be held on the last weekend of each month. In addition to agricultural products, relatively expensive products such as Green Lim mushrooms, brocade products, and honey are available in A Luoi market. All the items are made by the local farmers following safety and hygiene standards.

Nguyen Van Hai, Deputy Chairman of the A Luoi District People’s Committee, the market session helps promote local agricultural products and specialties of ethnic minorities and expand the consumer market while contributing to preserving the traditional cultural values of local ethnic groups and boosting local tourism.

He told VOV, “A Luoi district, home to all the cultures of local ethnic groups, is suitable to organize rural market sessions. This is also a place to promote agricultural products, specialties and traditional dishes of ethnic minorities.”

Le Xuan Hai, Deputy Head of the Thua Thien-Hue Provincial Committee for Ethnic Affairs, said the organization of rural markets is an important part of the National Target Program that Thua Thien Hue has been implementing over the past few years.

The program has increased the local trade, promoted startups, and attracted investments in mountain ethnic areas as well as improved local people’s lives.