The fact that many Vietnamese products, including rice, do not have their own trademark in the international market prompted Vo Minh Khai, General Director of the Ca Mau-based Vien Phu Organic and Healthy Foods Joint Stock Company, to establish a trademark for his company’s organic rice. The rice has become more popular for several reasons, including clear labels of origin and production that follows organic standards or national and international standards like VietGap and GlobalGap. Khai told VOV: "A lack of its own trademarks is one of many causes of the numerous difficulties facing Vietnam’s agriculture. My company specializes in producing organic rice to US and European standards which are certified by an international organization. I hope this will create public trust in Vietnamese products and secure firm footholds for them in international markets."

Vien Phu's organic rice on display

Khai says organic rice contains many natural biological substances that are good for health and help prevent diseases. He decided to grow organic rice in U Minh Ha, Khanh An commune, U Minh district following standards and requirements set by the US Agriculture Department and the European Union. Khai says his company’s 3-ha farm now produces 3 kinds of organic products that will be certified by a Dutch organization: "Our farm produces organic rice for people diagnosed with diabetes, obesity, cancer, or cardiovascular problems. We also provide seafood for European markets and vegetables and fruits for domestic markets. Production of all 3 of these products must follow US and EU standards and be certified by a Dutch organization. It’s fair to say that our product quality is on a par with that of the US and the EU."

Vien Phu Company's green farm. Photo: vienphugreenfarm.com

Since 2013, Vien Phu Company’s organic rice, under the trademark “Milky rice”, has been available in domestic and foreign markets including the US, Europe, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea. In 2014 alone, Vien Phu green farm produced 1000 tonnes of rice. Ngo Thanh Phong is Deputy Chairman of Khanh An communal People’s Committee: "Mr. Khai’s rice production model without the use of chemical substances or fertilizers ensures product quality. His company has created jobs for many local people. This model should be expanded to boost local economic development."

Ca Mau province has set a target of at least 14 communes fulfilling criteria set in the national new rural development program in 2015. Companies like Vien Phu have contributed significantly to this effort.