According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, by the end of 2024, Vietnam’s total rice export turnover reached approximately US$5.7 billion, marking a significant increase in both volume and value. The average export price exceeded US$600 per tonne, the highest in years.

Vietnam’s agricultural journey has been marked by both hardship and resilience. In early 1945, the country suffered one of its worst famines, claiming more than 2 million lives. In response, President Ho Chi Minh's call “Every inch of land is gold” became a rallying cry for improving national food security.

However, a major turning point came on April 5, 1988, with the introduction of Resolution 10, which allowed farmers long-term land use rights and autonomy in production. As a result, rice output surged from 18.2 million tonnes in 1986 to 24.5 million tonnes in 1990. Notably, in 1989, Vietnam exported its first 1.4 million tonnes of rice, a milestone marking the country’s entry into the global rice market.

Fifty years ago, the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s primary rice-growing region, produced just about 5 million tonnes annually, mostly in a single-season crop with yields below 3 tonnes per hectare. The establishment of the Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute (CLRRI) in 1977 changed that trajectory. A wave of scientific advancements and high-yield rice varieties were introduced, many of which were resistant to salinity, pests, and acidic soils. Today, average yields have risen to 6.2 tonnes/ha, and many localities now cultivate 2–3 rice crops annually, transforming the Mekong Delta into one of Southeast Asia’s most advanced rice-producing regions.

Do Ha Nam, chairman of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA), noted that since 1989, Vietnam has exported more than 158 million tonnes of rice to over 150 countries and territories, accounting for around 15% of the global rice market. Key importers include the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, with exports to Malaysia doubling in 2024 alone.

In June 2024, Vietnam made headlines by exporting the first-ever shipment of its Green - Low Emission Rice to Japan. This is the world’s first officially labelled low-emission rice export, produced under the One Million Hectare High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice Project for the Mekong Delta, a milestone in green agriculture and international sustainability commitments.

According to Le Thanh Tung, Secretary General of the Vietnam Rice Industry Association, the project aims to ensure food security while promoting sustainable, environmentally friendly rice cultivation. The initiative helps farmers increase income, adapt to climate change, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that meet Vietnam’s international commitment.

At a recent press conference announcing activities commemorating the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2, 1945 – 2025), Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien affirmed agriculture has always been a pillar of the economy, ensuring food security for over 100 million people under all circumstances, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite global market fluctuations, rising input costs, and the impact of climate change, Vietnam’s rice sector has consistently demonstrated its resilience and vital role in economic stability and rural development.

With a strong foundation built on progressive policies, technological innovation, and a green growth orientation, Vietnam is on track to develop a modern, sustainable, and globally competitive agriculture sector. The success of the rice industry not only ensures domestic food security but also reaffirms Vietnam’s position on the global agricultural map.

Vietnamese rice export prices reach new global high

VOV.VN - Vietnam's rice export prices have reached the highest levels globally, surpassing those of other leading rice exporters such as India, Thailand, and Pakistan, reported the Vietnam Food Association (VFA).