Trùng Khánh chestnuts from Cao Bằng Province are a local specialty with strong potential for further development. Local growers hope that the Trùng Khánh chestnut brand will be elevated following the product’s recognition under the OCOP (One Commune One Product) program. This would enhance both its market value and reputation.
Trùng Khánh, the hometown of Vietnam’s famous chestnuts, is a district in the northeastern part of Cao Bằng Province. It is located about 62 kilometers from Cao Bằng City via Provincial Road 206. Blessed with a cool climate and fertile soil, the area provides ideal conditions for producing chestnut of exceptional quality.
Even the smallest Trùng Khánh chestnuts are about the size of a person’s thumb. They have thin shells and dark golden kernels with a rich, buttery texture and distinctive aroma. Because the shells are quite hard, the nuts are typically boiled thoroughly before being prepared. Many people score the shells with a few shallow cuts beforehand.
This makes peeling easier after cooking. Once boiled, people often roast the chestnuts briefly to enhance their natural fragrance. They then simmer them with pork trotters to create a hearty stew. They also grind the chestnuts into flour for pastry fillings or simply steam them and enjoy them as a snack.
Trùng Khánh chestnuts
Beyond boiling and roasting, the people of Cao Bằng also remove the shells from roasted chestnuts. They then grind the kernels into a fine paste and mix them with cốm made from the local Pì Pất glutinous rice variety. The result is a traditional delicacy that combines the soft, fragrant texture of young sticky rice with the sweet, nutty flavor of chestnuts, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.
Trùng Khánh chestnuts were among the products that would receive a 2-star OCOP (One Commune One Product) rating in 2020. This local specialty has strong potential to further enhance its brand recognition and market value.
Recognizing the area’s favorable soil and climate for chestnut cultivation, Trùng Khánh District has identified chestnuts as a native specialty crop with significant development potential. The district has introduced support policies to expand chestnut production while promoting the product alongside local tourism attractions such as Bản Giốc Waterfall and Ngườm Ngao Cave.
In communes designated for chestnut cultivation, including Đình Minh, Phong Châu, Chí Viễn, Khâm Thành, Ngọc Côn, and Ngọc Khê, local authorities have assigned annual planting targets of 15–30 hectares per commune. Under the program, the government provides chestnut seedlings, monitors germination rates, and offers technical guidance and technology transfer to support growers.
To date, Trùng Khánh District has more than 200 hectares of chestnut plantations, of which over 170 hectares are in production. In recent years, the district has planted an additional 70 hectares of chestnut trees. According to local growers, demand consistently exceeds supply, with buyers often placing orders before the harvest is even available for sale. However, some households have failed to properly maintain newly planted trees. As a result, poor growth, tree loss, or damage caused by grazing livestock has occurred.
Trùng Khánh chestnut materials
In practice, chestnut cultivation is compatible with the OCOP (One Commune One Product) program. The program promotes rural economic development by leveraging local strengths and increasing product value. The program is a key component of Vietnam’s National Target Program on New Rural Development.
The core objective of the OCOP program is to develop agricultural products, non-agricultural products, and rural services with local competitive advantages through value chain development. This process is led by private enterprises, household businesses, and collective economic organizations.
Local residents hope that Trùng Khánh chestnuts will receive an official OCOP star rating. They believe this will further enhance the product’s brand recognition and market value. This would enable growers to earn higher and more sustainable incomes.
Vietnamese source: https://thuonghieusanpham.vn/nang-tang-san-pham-ocop-phat-trien-thuong-hieu-hat-de-trung-khanh
For more information about Trùng Khánh chestnuts, please contact us:
Company: Agrideco Vietnam Co., Ltd.
Address: No 02, Alley 325 Kim Nguu, Vinh Tuy Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel/Kakao Talk/Whatsapp: +84 989 649 804
Website: https://agridecovietnam.com
Email: agridecovietnam@gmail.com