Vietnam has certified around 71,000 tonnes of rice under its Low Emission Green Vietnamese Rice label, marking a significant step in linking agricultural exports with emissions reduction and sustainability goals. The certification covers roughly 18,000 hectares in the Mekong Delta and positions Vietnam as the first country to export low-emission rice at scale under a nationally backed framework.

The label sits within the government’s One Million Hectare Programme, which aims to convert one million hectares to high-quality, low-emission rice production by 2030. The initiative reflects Vietnam’s effort to maintain its role as a major global rice supplier while aligning with rising climate and traceability expectations in international markets.

A Certification Model Focused on Traceability and Emissions

The Low Emission Green Vietnamese Rice label is issued by the Vietnam Rice Sector Association (VIETRISA) to rice that meets technical standards set under the One Million Hectare Programme. Verification is carried out by commune-level authorities or accredited international bodies.

Certified rice must comply with strict traceability rules covering production zones, rice varieties, and cropping cycles. It must also follow defined low-emission cultivation practices, including improved water management, reduced fertiliser use, and changes to residue handling.

According to VIETRISA Vice Chairman Le Thanh Tung, eight enterprises have received certification, collectively farming about 18,000 hectares. These companies are now exporting close to 70,000 tonnes of certified low-emission rice, out of roughly 400 rice exporters operating nationwide.

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First-Mover Advantage in Low-Emission Exports

Vietnam’s programme gives it an early lead in embedding emissions performance directly into agricultural trade. While participation remains limited at this stage, the exports demonstrate that emissions claims are being tied to verified production practices rather than offsets or marketing narratives.

For global buyers and investors, the label provides a clearer signal of credibility and comparability at a time when food supply chains face growing pressure to decarbonise.

Behaviour Change as the Core Challenge

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan has highlighted that the main constraint facing the programme is not technology, but human behaviour. He noted that discussions often focus on irrigation, fertilisers, and emissions metrics, while overlooking how farmers actually adopt new practices.

Hoan argued that farmers respond more strongly to practical examples than abstract climate data. He stressed the role of media in translating policy into real-world stories that show how reduced seeding density, lower post-harvest burning, or fewer inputs can still deliver healthy crops and stable yields.

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Cooperatives, Credibility, and Long-Term Trust

Agricultural cooperatives were identified as a central pillar of the transition. Hoan cautioned that reform cannot rely solely on administrative directives and called for greater visibility of cooperative models that demonstrate gradual but durable improvements.

For participating businesses, he said financial incentives alone are not enough. Companies must also build trust and a credible social image by making long-term investments alongside farmers. Media coverage, he added, can reinforce this by recognising enterprises that embed sustainability into their brand through real farming practices.

As Vietnam advances toward its 2030 targets, the Low Emission Green Rice programme is emerging as a practical test case for aligning agricultural policy, climate ambition, and export competitiveness. For global food supply chains seeking credible pathways to lower emissions, the Mekong Delta is becoming an early point of reference.

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