Rice quality matters: Prime Minister Phuc

Since taking office in 2016, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has helped drive an industry-wide discussion and led the effort to improve the quality of rice grown in Vietnam.

With more than 50% of Vietnam rice being sold on the export market, improving its quality is imperative for maintaining exports, as well as competing domestically with an increasing population of discriminating consumers.

The Vietnam government continues to be committed to improving rice quality, working with public breeding partners as well as buyers to develop better varieties and implement innovative technologies that bring value not only to the end buyers and end users, but to the farmer as well.

New high-yielding varieties capable of producing the appearance and cooking properties desired by important foreign and domestic buyers are needed, said Dang Quang Vinh, a researcher at the Central Institute for Economic Management.

Mr Vinh noted the rice currently produced in Vietnam is not competitive in some markets such as those in Central America that prefer parboiled rice, which possesses superior cooking and processing properties.

Quality improvements could also be achieved by developing semi-dwarf varieties that possess better milling traits and better long-grains offering excellent blast resistance and good grain quality with yield potential that rivals the highest-yielding cultivars currently produced anywhere.

In addition, Mr Vinh suggested that rice farmers consider the use of bubble dryers to improve the quality of local rice.

The post-harvest loss rate currently stands at 13.7%, which is too high and much greater than that of Thailand at 6.1% and India at 6%, said Mr Vinh, noting that a sizable portion of the loss results from poor drying techniques.

He said bubble dryer technology, powered by solar energy prevents contamination, aflatoxin in maize, reduces cost and enhances profit.

He made the comments at a training workshop in Hanoi, adding that the bubble dryer, is ‘green dryer’ technology that uses solar radiation to power a system to blow hot air to dry rice.

It is said to reduce moisture levels in rice from 22% to between 12 and 13% in as little as 24 hours.

Mr Vinh lamented that though new farming technologies were in existence, Vietnamese farmers underutilize them and said it was time they welcomed innovation for growth in the segment.

He said the bubble dryer is proven technology that is currently in use by smallholder farmers and farmer groups around the globe and urged local farmers to take advantage of the technology.

Dang Kim Son, former director general of Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development in turn said the focus should be to help increase earnings for smallholder farmers.

He also hinted at plans to offer technical training for actors in the rice value chain saying that without trained farmers, the country could not achieve food security.  He underscored the need for regular capacity building for farmers.

Vietnamese farmers need to learn and use new farming techniques. They must know about seed quality, types of soil and chemical application not only dropping the seed in the soil.

VOV

Other News

Data-driven land valuation to curb speculation: Experts

Data-driven land valuation to curb speculation: Experts

From a property-market perspective, Do Thi Thu Giang, National Director of Valuation and Advisory at Savills Vietnam, said the orientations under Resolution No. 21-NQ/TW could make the market more transparent and efficient, with property values increasingly tied to actual development and use potential.

Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW sets new growth drivers for Vietnam

Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW sets new growth drivers for Vietnam

Science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and AI must be translated into higher productivity rather than pursued as ends in themselves. At the same time, people should be placed at the centre of development, not merely viewed as a resource but as the ultimate objective of development policies.

Expo to open door for Vietnamese suppliers to enter US market

Expo to open door for Vietnamese suppliers to enter US market

US retail giant Target is seeking Vietnamese suppliers of household goods, home textiles, children’s products, personal care and beauty products, with a focus on companies capable of manufacturing and developing products that meet requirements on quality, design and supply chain management.

2026 Banking Sector Digital Transformation to open in Hanoi

2026 Banking Sector Digital Transformation to open in Hanoi

The annual event, which will be held on August 18-19, 2026, at the ICE International Exhibition Centre, 91 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hanoi, is expected to attract around 324 delegates and feature 21 booths representing credit institutions, payment intermediary service providers, and technology companies.

Vietnam – one of most attractive destinations for leading US semiconductor companies: expert

Vietnam – one of most attractive destinations for leading US semiconductor companies: expert

Vietnam has built a solid semiconductor and electronics industry before joining ITSI, attracting major US semiconductor companies. Intel Products Vietnam is one of Intel's largest assembly and testing facilities worldwide, while chip design companies such as Synopsys, Cadence, Marvell and Qualcomm have established engineering and research centres in the Southeast Asian country.

Vietnam targets higher-quality FDI under Resolution 10

Vietnam targets higher-quality FDI under Resolution 10

During the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam attracted more than 38 billion USD in registered FDI, up nearly 58% year-on-year. More importantly, the increase was driven by large-scale, high-tech projects rather than a surge in the number of new investments, signalling a significant improvement in the quality of capital inflows.

Manufacturing, engineering drive hiring growth in H1: report

Manufacturing, engineering drive hiring growth in H1: report

Manufacturing and engineering posted the strongest recruitment growth, with hiring demand surging 70% year-on-year, driven by production expansion, supply chain restructuring and sustained investment inflows in high-tech manufacturing.

Government proposes special mechanisms to unblock APEC 2027 projects in Phu Quoc

Government proposes special mechanisms to unblock APEC 2027 projects in Phu Quoc

The projects in Phu Quoc have been implemented under tight deadlines. Since May 2025, the Prime Minister has directed preparations for APEC 2027, including accelerated infrastructure development on the special zone. An Giang province and investors have subsequently launched a number of major projects involving complex technical requirements and demanding construction schedules.

Financial market reform plan targets high, sustained growth through 2045

Financial market reform plan targets high, sustained growth through 2045

The plan seeks to develop a balanced and modern financial market that is closely integrated with regional and global markets, strengthens the mobilisation and allocation of domestic and foreign capital, and enhances the market’s role as a key provider of medium- and long-term capital for the economy and as a major driver of sustained high economic growth.

An Giang aims to become leading maritime economic hub

An Giang aims to become leading maritime economic hub

Under the province's master plan for 2021–2030 with a vision to 2050, An Giang will prioritise investment in five strategic sectors: strategic infrastructure; processing industries and clean energy; trade, services, logistics and border-gate economy; high-quality tourism; and high-tech agriculture, ecological development and the circular economy.