Vietnam prepares for ASEAN Economic Community

Vietnamese workers are also being encouraged to learn foreign languages as the AEC will provide ample opportunity in the future for employment opportunities overseas and in foreign-invested companies in Vietnam./.

The prime minister approved a scheme to develop a Vietnamese rice brand in May. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Ministry of Science and Technology co-organised a conference this morning in the southern province of Kien Giang to kick start this scheme. Over 200 rice exporters and leaders from provinces and localities across the country attended the event.

Although Vietnam is now among the leading rice exporters, its rice lacks competitiveness in the international market. Therefore, the branding project has attracted attention from enterprises and researchers. According to the scheme, jasmine, fragrant and sticky rice from Mekong Delta region have been selected. Rice brands will be developed at enterprise-level, local and national levels. The scheme is intended to ensure that 20% of Vietnam's rice export turnover will be branded by 2020, with the figure set  to increase to 50% by 2030.