Vietnam White Rice: A Global Favorite Food

Have you ever heard of ST25 rice – the most delicious rice in 2019 and 2023? Developed over 20 years by engineer Ho Quang Cua and originating from Vietnam, ST25 rice stands out for its sweet and smooth flavor. It is highly desirable in the global market and represents Vietnamese excellence in rice production. When it comes to white rice export, we can’t help but mention Vietnam, one of the leading countries in the white rice exporting industry.

1. White Rice plays an important role in many aspects of life

White rice is either a staple food or a role of the Vietnamese culture and cuisine. For thousands of years, wet rice cultivation has been a cornerstone of Vietnamese agriculture. Rice, with its long, flattened grains, is the most common type and boasts high nutritional content. 

The Mekong River Delta, known as the “rice bowl” of the country, yields up to three rice crops per year due to its fertile soil and abundant water supply. Modern machinery has been applied, combined with hardworking farmers has increased the productivity of this staple grain incredibly.

People divide Vietnamese rice into main 2 kinds:

• Regular rice (Non-glutinous rice): Long and flattened grains, regular rice serves as the main Vietnamese meal. Besides, people use regular rice to make dishes like pho, rice porridge, rice noodles…and so on.
• Sticky rice (Glutinous rice): is a favorite in Vietnamese cuisine, its unique texture and ability to hold flavors make it indispensable. People use this rice in making Chung cakes, xoi – sticky rice and numerous dishes on important occasions.

In this post, we mainly discuss regular rice and its role in life in many aspects.

2. Vietnam’s reputation as a leading Rice producer

For years, Vietnam has achieved significant success in rice exports. In 2023, rice exports reached 4.78 billion USD, increasing by 36.6% compared to the previous year. This is the highest export productivity in many years of the Vietnamese rice industry. Moreover, Vietnam accounts for about 15% of total global rice exports. Currently, Vietnam is the world’s 5th largest rice producer and the world’s third-largest exporter.

Vietnam’s white rice has expanded its market to more than 180 countries. In particular, demanding markets such as Europe, America, Korea, Australia, and the Middle East are also tending to favor high-quality Vietnamese rice.

Vietnam, with its lush green rice paddies stretching across the Mekong Delta and other fertile regions, has earned a stellar reputation as a leading rice producer. Here’s why:

Abundant rice fields: Vietnam’s favorable climate and diverse topography allow for year-round rice cultivation. The Mekong River Delta, in particular, stands out as the “biggest paddle field” of the country, producing up to rice crops annually.

Quality and quantity: Vietnamese rice is known for its excellent quality, long grains, and distinct flavor. Vietnam consistently exports large quantities of rice to various markets worldwide.

3. Main Rice cultivation regions in Vietnam

Where in Vietnam do people grow rice most?

Rice cultivation typically thrives in warm climates with optimal growth temperatures ranging between 20°C and 40°C. The plant is highly adaptable but prefers regions with abundant sunlight and a long growing season. Additionally, rice requires high humidity and annual rainfall above 100 cm. In areas with less rainfall, irrigation can support rice growth. The delta with a big river is always the ideal region for rice cultivation.

 In Vietnam, there are 3 main regions where people produce the most amount of rice.

• Southern Delta (Mekong Delta): Warm and humid climate with abundant sunshine. Dominates rice coverage.
• Northern Delta: Experiences tropical monsoons and cold winters. Home to rainfed and flood-prone rice varieties.
• Highlands of the North: Ideal for upland rice varieties. However, people are almost impressed by the breathtaking scenes there.

The growing seasons and harvesting process of Vietnam Rice

Rice growing seasons: Vietnam has two main rice crops. Each lasts for 3 months.

• Winter-Spring rice crop: From February to May.
• Summer-Autumn rice crop: July to October.
• Additionally, the Mekong Delta enjoys a Winter cropping season.

When it comes to growing rice, this process requires a lot of time and labor. The farmers have to take care of the rice plant for a long time in order to ensure they survive under the harsh conditions of the weather and disease. They’re one of the most hard-working people in the world. The basic phases of cultivation of this plant include:

• Prepare the paddy
• Plow and prepare seedlings
• Transplant seedlings
• Take care of plant
• Harvest and post-harvest work

However, applying new technology in producing rice helps the farmers a lot in saving time, and labor also making more interest. This is also good because it stabilizes the productivity and quality of white rice. Due to that, Vietnam is strongly at the top of the leading rice exporting countries.

4. People love which kinds of Vietnam Rice?

In Vietnam, there are many categories of white rice. People grade them by their grain length, for example: short – medium and long grain. Among all kinds of rice in Vietnam, the below kinds of white rice stand out due to their exceptional flavor and quality:

ST25 Rice: This exceptional rice gained international acclaim when it was crowned the world’s best rice in 2019 and 2023. Its long, slender grains exhibit a subtle floral aroma. When cooked, ST25 grain remains firm and separate. However, when eaten, it is very delicious and has a sweet taste. In particular, this type of rice has a high protein content so it is suitable for people with diabetes, both the elderly and children.

Jasmine Rice: Known for its fragrant aroma and its grains are shorter but plumper than long-grain rice. When cooked, it releases a delicate floral scent reminiscent of jasmine blossoms.

Besides the 2 above kinds of rice, there are many kinds that Vietnam exports and people all around the world love such as Japonica, DT8, OM5451, IR 504… and so on

5. The allure of Rice – A daily food

When mentioning Asian people, we can realize the common point of them is they have white rice for their meals. Why does white rice become an irreplaceable food for Asian people? Besides it can grow widely in many Asian countries, there are other reasons:

Flavor: Vietnamese white rice has a mild, neutral taste. When carefully chewing, the sweetness appears because the rice grains contain carbohydrates. So, this flavor allows it to complement a wide range of dishes. It serves as a canvas for flavorful sauces, meats, and vegetables.

Health Benefits: White rice offers essential nutrients and benefits:

• Easy digestion: The refined texture of white rice makes it gentle on the stomach, making it suitable for people of all ages.
• Energy source: White rice is an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, providing sustained energy throughout the day.
• Low-fat content: It contains minimal fat, making it heart-friendly.
• Vitamins and minerals: White rice provides B vitamins, including thiamine (B1) and niacin (B3), which support metabolism and overall health.

6. Vietnam White Rice: A key player in food security

Vietnam, with its lush green rice paddies stretching across regions like the Mekong Delta, plays a crucial role in global food security. Here’s why:

Rice consumption continues to rise worldwide, with over 520 million metric tons consumed annually. More than 50% of the world’s population relies on rice for daily sustenance, providing roughly 20% of global calories.

India’s Export Restrictions: India, the largest rice exporter, faced drought conditions and announced a halt to non-basmati rice exports in 2023 to ensure domestic supply. This move impacted global rice prices and highlighted the importance of prioritizing domestic markets during supply shortages.

Vietnam is the third-largest exporter of rice globally, annually harvesting over 8 million tons of this staple grain. With high productivity and quality of white rice, Vietnam commits to supplying rice, contributing significantly to food security.

So, Vietnam’s white rice not only supplies to the Vietnamese but also contributes significantly to global food security by fostering trade partnerships and ensuring stable supplies.

Rice – A Global Favourite Food

Vietnam white rice, with its rich history and cultural significance, has become a global favorite food. From the lush rice fields of the Mekong Delta to the bustling rice factories, HAVIGO Company Limited plays a pivotal role in bringing this staple grain to the world. We commit to quality, trust, and success that resonates through every polished grain of rice we export.

Havigo Company Limited operates in the field of agricultural export. We wish to bring high-quality Vietnamese agricultural products such as spices, rice, beans, and fruits… to the world. We supply you with high-quality products at the best price. If you find interest in importing White Rice, please contact us for better support via WhatsApp: +84 979 58 58 56.