Int’l rice festival opens in Hau Giang province

Themed “Centennial Journey of Vietnamese Rice”, the event drew the attendance of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan, Secretary of Hau Giang Provincial Party Committee Nghiem Xuan Thanh.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said that Viet Nam emerged as one of the leading countries in rice export in both quantity and quality. Especially, ST25 is honored as the world’s most delicious rice.

The minister underlined the importance of flexible adaption towards sustainability in response to challenges of climate change, market upheavals as well as supply chains.

In his online speech from Ha Noi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said the festival popularizes the images of Viet Nam, its friendly and hardworking people, and a rice culture that spans thousands of years.

Viet Nam, said the Prime Minister, is the first country to build the One Million Hectareas of High-Quality Rice Project to improve people’s lives. The project represents its responsibility for the global community in responding climate change and building a low-emission agriculture.

The first International Rice Festival 2023 takes place in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang from December 11 to 15.

The event targets to enable organizations, localities, businesses, and farmers to access new production knowledge and scientific and technical advances in digital transformation.

The festival features various activities, including exhibition booths introducing rice products, One Commune One Product (OCOP) items, culinary delights made from rice, machinery and equipment for rice production. There is also an exhibition titled "Viet Nam's Rice Road" along the embankment of Xa No canal, showcasing the journey of Viet Nam's rice cultivation.

The festival draws the participation of about 200 international delegates from 39 countries and territories around the world.

Viet Nam’s rice exports this year to the end of November hit a record high since 1989 with an export volume of nearly 7.8 million tons and turnover of US$4.4 billion./.