The 2nd Vietnam Rice Festival themed ‘Honouring the Jewel of Vietnam - the Green Environment of Yellow Fields’ kicked off yesterday in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang.

The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh, National Assembly Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu, leaders of ministries, localities, Vietnam travel agency and thousands of local people and foreign visitors.

The 2nd Vietnam Rice Festival

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy PM Ninh praised the significant achievements of the country rice’s sector and highlighted the role of Vietnamese farmers, scientists, and businesses who have made contributions to the country’s rice production.

He said that Vietnamese rice has always been closely connected with the country’s founding and defence and it has also contributed to Vietnam’s development and international integration, in addition to helping maintain domestic and regional food security.

Ninh said rice production in Vietnam has increased significantly over the past 25 years and currently records an average yield of 5.4 tonnes per hectare. The total rice output throughout the country has reached 41.4 million tones this year.

The high rice yield over the past two decades has helped turn Vietnam from a country facing severe food shortages in the early 1980s to the second largest rice exporter in the world, the Deputy PM stressed.

He urged for the efficient use of land for rice cultivation, better management of water resources, and using modern technology in production, processing and preserving in order to meet the demands for domestic consumption and for export, as well as to ensure food security.

A variety of events will take place during the four day event, including exhibitions featuring farming tools and models and the development of Vietnamese wet-rice civilisations, seminars on promoting Vietnamese rice in the world market, and business forums for enterprises to exchange experiences, introduce their products, and seek partners.

The festival will last until November 11.