Vietnam’s rice export during the renovation period - Achievements and posing issues

Abstract

Vietnam’s rice export in the renovation period began in the late 1980s, during the country’s national renovation period. Since then, Vietnam has risen to become one of the world’s top three rice-exporting nations, contributing significantly to economic growth, improving farmers’ incomes, and ensuring national food security. However, Vietnamese rice exports still face numerous challenges, including climate change, high logistics costs, lack of a strong national brand, and low added value. This article reviews the development process of Vietnam’s rice exports, clarifying key driving factors such as the contract-based production policy, land reforms, trade integration, and the role of farming households. The article also proposes solutions for restructuring production to meet market demands, investing in processing and logistics, building a Vietnamese rice brand, improving institutional frameworks, and accelerating industrialization, shifting the focus toward developing industry and technology linking with modernizing agriculture and rural areas.