Promoting the image of Vietnamese rice through the Rice Festival

On July 25, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan had a meeting with representatives of Hau Giang province, including Mr. Dong Van Thanh, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Ngo Minh Long, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; and Mr. Le Hoang Xuyen, Chief of Office of the Provincial People's Committee. 

Minister Le Minh Hoan and Mr. Dong Van Thanh, Chairman of Hau Giang People's Committee, agreed that the 6^th Rice Festival will be an opportunity to introduce the image of Vietnam's rice industry and the Mekong Delta region to international partners.

"We need to focus on a variety of product types and brands. We must not view festivals as a common trading platform for businesses as before," emphasized Minister Le Minh Hoan.

According to the leader of the agricultural sector, this is the right time to organize the Rice Festival because the rice industry is enjoying numerous advantages, competitive prices, gathering the attention of governmental leaders at all levels. The event will thus help promote the image of Vietnamese rice, particularly rice of the Mekong Delta region.

Minister Le Minh Hoan proposed inviting international organizations to participate in the Rice Festival in order to give rice producers access to new varieties that are suitable for the needs of each consumer group, through which the value of Vietnamese rice will be highlighted.

Instead of focusing on marketing and directing rice sales, participating businesses and associations can introduce new production and processing technologies, farming processes, and the application of scientific and technological advances.

According to Mr. Dong Van Thanh, rice is a staple product in Hau Giang province's key product group. The province wishes to organize the Rice Festival 2023 to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the province's establishment. Furthermore, the event will be an opportunity for the province to reflect on the development achievements of the Mekong Delta and Hau Giang rice industries.

"The first rice festival was organized in Hau Giang in 2009, and it will be the sixth festival overall in 2023 after being held in other locations throughout the country. The province's goal is to honor the value of the rice grain. However, we will need further consultations and instructions from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The province understands that this event will focus on the spirit of innovation and enhancing value for rice farmers," said Mr. Dong Van Thanh.

Minister Le Minh Hoan affirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will closely coordinate with Hau Giang province to study and organize this historic event. The theme throughout the festival will be "One-Hundred-Year Journey of Vietnamese Rice", from famine to self-reliance and export.

The Minister also made several recommendations regarding the contents of the festival, including orientation for the rice industry; establishing the image of Mekong Delta rice with an emphasis on modern thinking, science and technology. Additionally, the event should also aim to expand its scale in order to attract the participation of international organizations, businesses and associations.

The festival is scheduled for late December 2023 or early January 2024, leaving the organizers with limited time to make preparations. Minister Le Minh Hoan and Mr. Nguyen Van Viet, Director of the Planning Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development agreed on the establishment of a Joint Working Group between the Ministry and Hau Giang province. The group will assume the primary role of consulting and advising on the scale and schedule of the event.

Mr. Le Thanh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, suggested concurrently organizing a forum on the development of the rice market in order to exchange information and knowledge regarding rice branding.