Vietnamese agricultural products with the aspiration for transformation.

Faced with competitive pressure and market fluctuations, the rice industry urgently needs to shift from increasing production to improving quality. Developing high-quality rice-growing areas and strengthening production linkages towards low emissions are creating a sustainable path for Vietnamese rice.

With green growth becoming the new standard in the global market, Vietnamese agricultural products are gradually transforming towards sustainability. From production to processing, many sectors are strengthening supply chain linkages, developing green raw material areas, and aiming to reduce emissions to enhance competitiveness in the international market.

Part 1: Promoting sustainable linkages in the rice industry

Rice-growing areas ensure a reliable supply of raw materials for processing and export, enhancing the efficiency of the rice value chain.

Increase connections

According to data from the Customs Department, by the end of the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam exported 1.74 million tons of rice, worth 826.2 million USD; an increase of 2.3% in volume but a decrease of 8.7% in value compared to the same period in 2025. The average export price of rice decreased by 10.7%, indicating increasing competitive pressure.

Currently, white rice still accounts for over 60% of total rice exports, while fragrant and specialty rice varieties only account for about 26%. With Thailand, India, Pakistan, and Myanmar continuing to maintain their price and supply advantages, the Vietnamese rice industry is forced to shift towards high-quality, low-emission rice that meets traceability requirements. Free trade agreements such as EVFTA, UKVFTA, and CPTPP are opening up many opportunities for high-quality, low-emission rice to access demanding markets.

In line with the shift towards high-quality rice varieties such as ST24, ST25, and Japonica, as outlined in Decision No. 583/QD-TTg dated March 26, 2023, of the Prime Minister on the strategy for developing Vietnam's rice export market until 2030, the agricultural sector needs to promote deep processing, invest in logistics infrastructure, apply science and technology, and embrace digital transformation to improve quality, reduce costs, and expand markets.

A stable supply of harvested rice helps increase rice exports.

However, the procurement chain remains dependent on traders, while the costs of materials, fuel, and logistics are constantly increasing. Furthermore, the regulations on cashless payments under Government Decree No. 320/2025/ND-CP, dated December 15, 2025, are creating many obstacles in the procurement, processing, and export of rice in the Mekong Delta region.

According to Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan, Standing Committee Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, to remove bottlenecks in the value chain, it is necessary to flexibly adjust payment regulations in rice procurement, strengthen linkages between farmers, cooperatives, and businesses to reduce dependence on traders. At the same time, it is important to develop standardized raw material areas linked to traceability and emission reduction; strengthen inspection and control to prevent price manipulation and hoarding; and support businesses in expanding markets and improving processing and export capabilities.

Developing a "green rice" raw material area.

Along with restructuring the agricultural sector, many localities are stepping up the development of raw material areas linked to the Project of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Oanh, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Thien Oanh Agricultural Production, Trade and Service Cooperative, introduces rice products purchased from the 1 million hectare linked project area.

For the 2025-2026 Winter-Spring crop season, the province has over 8,300 hectares participating in the project, achieving 99% of the registered plan. Of this, over 1,200 hectares are applying the "High-Quality and Low-Emission Rice Production Process" model. Simultaneously, a digital transformation application model is being implemented on 200 hectares at Tan Dat Agricultural Production and Service Cooperative (Trung Ngai commune) and Hau Thanh Agricultural Cooperative (Long Ho commune). To date, the area implementing the project, including pilot and expanded models, has reached nearly 5,100 hectares.

Phu My Chau Agricultural Cooperative (Chau Thanh commune) participated in the project with 70 hectares. Mr. Tran Van Cong, Director of the Cooperative, said: Applying the sparse sowing method helps reduce the amount of seeds, pesticides, and labor, while improving rice yield and grain quality. As a result, the product is purchased at a price 10-15% higher than conventional production. Currently, the Cooperative has 120 members producing 46 hectares of seed rice and 167 hectares of high-quality rice, and is building a 4-star OCOP rice value chain in an organic direction.

In Hung My commune, Thien Oanh Agricultural Production, Trade and Service Cooperative has established a 232-hectare raw material area with rice varieties ST24, ST25, OM4900, and Nang Hoa 9. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Oanh, Chairwoman of the Cooperative's Board of Directors, said: Thanks to good control of the production process, the cooperative purchases rice at a price 1-2 thousand VND/kg higher than the market price. Currently, the cooperative's Huong Tra rice product has achieved OCOP 3-star standard, creating an important foundation for brand building and meeting market demands. The unit is aiming to invest in drying, preservation, and packaging systems to complete the value chain.

Farmer Nguyen Van Phuc (Hung My commune), a member of the cooperative, has participated in the project with 2.5 hectares for 5 consecutive seasons. According to Mr. Phuc, production following the project's process significantly reduces the amount of fertilizer and pesticides used, resulting in lower input costs but higher selling prices than the market, thus giving him peace of mind in production.

According to Mr. Tran Van Hieu, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hung My commune, after the successful pilot project in the 2024 Summer-Autumn crop, the model of high-quality, low-emission rice production will continue to be maintained and expanded. Specifically for the 2026 Summer-Autumn crop, the commune has 3 cooperatives registered to participate in the project with 586.95 hectares, attracting 439 households to participate in production.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Le Van Dung, the province is implementing support policies in accordance with Resolution No. 09/2025/NQ-HĐND, dated July 30, 2025, of the Provincial People's Council on the development of high-quality rice cultivation areas. This includes support for seeds, materials, the construction of high-quality rice production models, and investment in infrastructure serving concentrated production areas. Alongside this, training in emission reduction techniques such as alternating wet and dry irrigation is being intensified to reduce costs and save water. The establishment of standardized cultivation areas, granted cultivation area codes and low-emission certifications, creates favorable conditions for attracting businesses to participate in consumption linkages and expanding the export market for "green rice".

Towards a sustainable value chain

In reality, the cooperative model plays a crucial role in building concentrated raw material areas and linking consumption. Currently, the province has 15 cooperatives applying high technology; 85 cooperatives participating in value chain linkages according to Government Decree No. 98/2018/ND-CP dated July 22, 2021; and many cooperatives building production models associated with OCOP, green agriculture, and emission reduction.

To support the collective economic sector, the Provincial Cooperative Development Support Fund is providing loans totaling 10 billion VND to 20 projects to expand production linkages, invest in machinery, and improve processing capacity. Simultaneously, additional capital has been allocated to increase the fund's size to 50 billion VND, creating more opportunities for cooperatives to develop production and participate more deeply in the value chain.

According to the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Chau Van Hoa, in the coming time, departments and localities will focus on supporting cooperatives with capital, infrastructure and mechanization; promoting the construction of contiguous rice-growing areas, granting planting area codes, traceability and geographical indications.

Strengthening linkages between cooperatives and businesses aims to form a closed value chain from production to consumption. Simultaneously, the province is implementing the Crop Production Development Plan until 2030, with a vision to 2050, striving to achieve a rice cultivation area of ​​332,000 hectares and a production of nearly 2 million tons by 2030. The focus is on developing 50,000 hectares of specialized high-quality, low-emission rice farming areas, contributing to increased income and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for farmers.

Text and photos: MY NHAN

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/kinh-te/202605/nong-san-viet-voi-khat-vong-chuyen-minh-0494341/