Pioneering steps that laid the foundation

Thai Nguyen is among the localities where organic agriculture developed earliest in Vietnam. (Photo: An organic tea-growing area of Ha Thai Tea Joint Stock Company in La Bang Commune)

Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association was established on October 31, 2011, marking a turning point in the development of organic agriculture nationwide. In line with this trend, Thai Nguyen recognized early that organic production not only met the demand for safe food but also offered a path to increasing the value of agricultural products, protecting ecosystems, safeguarding public health and promoting sustainable development.

Thai Nguyen was, in fact, one of Vietnam's earliest adopters of organic agriculture. In 1997, with support from Vietnam Gardening Association, Sweden's ORION organization and international experts, the first organic tea production model was implemented in Tuc Tranh Commune, Phu Luong District, now Vo Tranh Commune in Thai Nguyen Province. In 2001, the organic tea model was expanded at Thien Hoang Cooperative, marking further concrete progress in applying organic production methods. In 2017, Thai Nguyen became the first locality in Vietnam to host Asian Organic Agriculture Day, affirming the province's pioneering role in the field. These early achievements laid the foundation for organic agriculture to evolve from individual models into a development pathway with increasingly active participation by scientists, businesses, cooperatives and producers.

Chairman of Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association presenting the decision to establish the Organic Agriculture Chapter of Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry

An important milestone came on April 10, 2023, when the Organic Agriculture Chapter of Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry was established under Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association. On April 28, 2023, the Chapter held its First Congress, attended by scientists, businesses, cooperatives and state management agencies. Professor Dao Thanh Van, Ph.D., was elected Chair of the Chapter.

The Chapter created an additional link between scientific research, training and technology transfer and the practice of organic agricultural production in the province. In July 2023, only a short time after its establishment, the Chapter became a member of the Union of Science and Technology Associations of Thai Nguyen Province. It gradually strengthened its role as a bridge connecting managers, scientists, businesses, cooperatives and farmers, helped promote the values of organic agriculture, and laid the groundwork for the establishment of Thai Nguyen Organic Agriculture Association.

In 2025, the Organic Agriculture Chapter of Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry participated in surveys and provided advice on developing a 300-hectare organic tea-growing area for Thai Hung Trading Joint-Stock Company in Quan Chu Commune. (Photo: A tea-growing area in Quan Chu Commune)

Established as organic agriculture was becoming an inevitable trend in modern farming, the Organic Agriculture Chapter of Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry quickly affirmed its role as a dynamic scientific and professional organization that connects expertise, promotes organic values and supports producers.

During its operations, the Chapter has actively participated in training programs, provided policy input and social review, expanded its membership network, and connected organic agriculture initiatives across localities. In his capacity as Vice Chairman of Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association, Professor Dao Thanh Van, Ph.D., and other members have participated in numerous domestic and international scientific forums, including the 7th Asian Organic Agriculture Conference in China, and helped organize the 8th Asian Organic Agriculture Conference in Ninh Binh.

Beyond research and training, the Chapter has conducted field surveys and provided advisory support to organic production models across the province. Its recommendations on technical practices, production management and brand development have helped raise product value, expand markets and gradually establish large-scale organic growing areas.

Notably, in 2025, the Chapter participated in surveys and provided advice on developing a 300-hectare organic tea-growing area for Thai Hung Trading Joint-Stock Company in Quan Chu Commune. This demonstrated the effectiveness of connections between scientists and businesses and highlighted the potential to develop organic growing areas linked to large-scale commodity production.

Professor Dao Thanh Van, Ph.D. (in red), Chair of the Organic Agriculture Chapter of Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, beside an ancient tea tree on Mount Bong with a trunk circumference of approximately 90 - 100 cm and a height of 25 - 30 m, at an elevation of 690 m above sea level (file photo)

Alongside its advisory work, the Chapter has consistently regarded scientific research as the foundation for long-term development. Its survey and discovery of the ancient tea population on Mount Bong, together with its proposal for a provincial-level research project to conserve and develop valuable tea genetic resources, opened new avenues for harnessing indigenous resources and combining biodiversity conservation with economic and ecotourism development. The Chapter also coordinated training courses and field visits for technical personnel, cooperatives, businesses and farmers, thereby gradually improving awareness of organic agricultural production principles, standards and techniques.

After three years of operation, the Chapter's membership increased from 35 to 55, bringing together scientists, businesses, cooperatives and individuals dedicated to organic agriculture. The Chapter also made important contributions to the province's organic agriculture movement. By 2026, nearly 200 hectares of crops in the province had been certified under organic agriculture standards, including 178 hectares of tea. Under the Scheme for the Development of Key Agricultural Products, the province aims to have 300 hectares of certified organic tea and 70% of its tea-growing area meet organic and safety standards, in accordance with Resolution No. 11-NQ/TU dated February 3, 2025 of Thai Nguyen Provincial Party Executive Committee on tea industry development for the 2025 - 2030 period.

Thai Nguyen Organic Agriculture Association - A bridge for green agriculture

First Congress of Thai Nguyen Organic Agriculture Association for the 2026 - 2031 term

Development in practice called for a province-level association with legal status and the capacity to connect organizations and individuals working in organic agriculture, thereby contributing to the policy of developing ecological agriculture, modern rural areas and civilized farmers.

In response to this need, in March 2026 the Standing Board of the Chapter approved the policy of preparing a Scheme to establish Thai Nguyen Organic Agriculture Association. With guidance and support from departments, boards and sectors and the consensus of organizations and individuals across the province, the Establishment Campaign Committee moved swiftly to complete the required dossier.

On June 18, 2026, the Chairman of Thai Nguyen Provincial People's Committee signed Decision No. 1893/QD-UBND recognizing the Establishment Campaign Committee for Thai Nguyen Organic Agriculture Association. This was the formal first step toward establishing a socio-professional organization for organic agriculture in the province.

On July 26, 2026, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee subsequently issued Decision No. 2288/QD-UBND authorizing the establishment of Thai Nguyen Organic Agriculture Association. On August 28, 2026, the Association formally held its First Congress for the 2026 - 2031 term. This important milestone opened a new stage in the development of organic agriculture in the province. The Association's establishment not only met the need to bring stakeholders together but also created an additional mechanism to promote research, training, science and technology transfer, policy advice and the development of organic agricultural value chains.

Executive Committee of Thai Nguyen Organic Agriculture Association being introduced at the Congress

Going forward, the Association will continue to serve as a bridge among the State, scientists, businesses and producers; promote research, training, technology transfer and policy advice; develop organic agricultural value chains; and expand domestic and international cooperation, thereby helping strengthen the Thai Nguyen organic agricultural produce brand and extend its reach.

From the first organic farming models implemented nearly 30 years ago to the establishment of growing areas, research and training networks and, now, a province-level association, organic agriculture in Thai Nguyen is gradually entering a new stage of development.

Built on this foundation, the establishment of Thai Nguyen Organic Agriculture Association represents not only the result of a carefully prepared process but also the beginning of a new journey: a journey of innovation; a journey of science and creativity; a journey of responsibility for public health and the living environment; and, above all, a shared journey to nurture organic and ecological agriculture for a green, prosperous and sustainable future.