Ready for the first Mekong Delta Delicious Rice Competition in 2026.

On the morning of April 24th, reporters from the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper observed at Hung Vuong Square (Bac Lieu ward, Ca Mau province) that the booth display within the framework of the Science, Technology, Culture, Tourism Week and the First Mekong Delta Delicious Rice Competition in 2026 had been basically completed.

The space dedicated to the rice, salt, and OCOP (One Commune One Product) products features 130 booths, bringing together numerous businesses, cooperatives, and production groups from provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta region. Photo: Trong Linh.

On-site observations show that all booths have been completed and products neatly arranged by the participating units, ready to welcome visitors. Particularly noteworthy is the rice, salt, and OCOP product section, featuring 130 booths and bringing together numerous businesses, cooperatives, and production groups from provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta region.

Mr. Ho Quang Cua, the "father" of the ST25 rice variety, which has been honored three times as " World's Best Rice" (2019, 2023, 2025), was present at the fair. Photo: Ngoc Han .

At the booths, many specialty rice products, fragrant rice, and high-quality rice such as ST24, ST25, BL9 Dai Thom 8… were displayed attractively, accompanied by information on traceability, production processes, and quality certifications. In addition, production models and applications of science and technology in rice cultivation were also introduced, attracting the attention of local people and businesses.

According to the Organizing Committee, by April 23rd, all participating units had completed submitting their rice samples for the competition in accordance with regulations. Preparations for the judging process are complete, ensuring it will proceed as planned on April 25th.

Observations at the exhibition area showed that many businesses brought typical rice products to the competition, clearly demonstrating their development orientation towards high quality and sustainability.

Rice varieties and rice grains are displayed at the booth of the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Environment. Photo: Trong Linh .

Mr. Nguyen Luu Tuong, Director of Best Rice Co., Ltd., said that the company is participating with its ST25 ecological rice product from Ca Mau - considered the quintessential rice variety of the region. The product is cultivated in areas bordering forests and the coast using a shrimp-rice farming model, concentrated in Khanh Binh commune with an area of ​​over 10,000 hectares.

According to Mr. Tuong, in addition to serving the domestic market, the product is currently being exported to many markets such as the US, Canada, Australia, and Singapore, and is preparing to expand to China and some Middle Eastern countries. "Through this competition, we hope to bring Ca Mau rice closer to consumers both domestically and internationally, affirming the value of Vietnamese rice," Mr. Tuong shared.

"Ong Dien Rice" product of Misun Group Joint Stock Company. Photo: Trong Linh.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ta Van Lam, Director of Technical Affairs at Misun Group Joint Stock Company, stated that the company offers "Ong Dien Rice," produced using a biological farming process without the use of chemical fertilizers. The soil improvement process utilizes biological preparations, biochar, and organic fertilizers; the growth stage applies nutrients from natural sources to ensure quality and safety for consumers' health.

Currently, the product is cultivated on an area of ​​over 418 hectares in many localities such as Lang Tron ward; Hoa Binh, Vinh Thanh, Vinh Phuoc, Hong Dan communes... with an average yield of over 700 kg/hectare. According to Mr. Lam, the goal when participating in the competition is not to focus on competition but to spread the value of clean, healthy rice and develop according to OCOP standards in the future.

Visitors view the BL9 rice product display booth at the fair. Photo: Trong Linh .

Ms. Truong Thi Thien Trang, Director of Phu Long Cooperative (Vinh Phuoc commune, Ca Mau province), said that the cooperative is participating in the competition with its "Anh Ba Ca Mau" rice product, produced from the ST25 rice variety using the commune's characteristic rice-shrimp farming model. According to Ms. Trang, the cooperative has meticulously prepared from seed selection and production organization to product completion, aiming to bring the best quality rice samples to the competition.

"Through this competition, we hope that 'Anh Ba Ca Mau' rice, made from the local ST25 rice variety, will become more widely known, thereby expanding the market and increasing the value of Ca Mau rice," Ms. Trang shared.

The display model simulates the rice-shrimp farming model in Ca Mau. Photo: Trong Linh.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kieu Khuyen, Deputy Director of the Ca Mau Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, said that preparations for the agricultural sector's booth have been completed, with a focus on characteristic farming models and high-quality local rice varieties.

At the booth, three exemplary production models were showcased: rice-shrimp farming, rice-fish farming, and rice cultivation adapted to reduce emissions, reflecting the province's orientation towards sustainable agricultural development. In addition, many typical rice varieties and rice samples were displayed, providing information on growing areas, production volume, and potential for consumption linkages.

According to Ms. Khuyen, as of now, 28 rice samples from 28 units have registered to participate in the competition; Ca Mau province alone has 13 participating units, including 10 cooperatives and 3 businesses.

The first Mekong Delta Delicious Rice Competition in 2026 is expected to be a prestigious platform that will help honor the region's outstanding rice products, while promoting production-consumption linkages and enhancing the value and brand of Vietnamese rice in the market.

Source: https://sonnmt.camau.gov.vn/tin-hoat-dong/san-sang-cuoc-thi-gao-ngon-dbscl-lan-thu-i-nam-2026-298725