Soc Trang’s rice variety recognised as best in world
The Soc Trang-based ST24 rice variety was honoured as having the best flavour in the world, as it received the World’s Best Rice 2019 award at the 11th Annual World’s Best Rice Contest in the Philippines on November 12.
Engineer Ho Quang Cua, a member of Soc Trang's group of scientists that developed the ST24 rice variety (Source: VNA)
Soc Trang (VNA) – The SocTrang-based ST24 rice variety was honoured as having the best flavour in theworld, as it received the World’s Best Rice 2019 award at the 11th AnnualWorld’s Best Rice Contest in the Philippines on November 12.
The contest was part of the 11th World RiceTrade Conference held by rice industry analysts The Rice Trader from November10 to 13, which attracted hundreds of major rice enterprises and traders alongwith scientists worldwide.
Vietnam’s rice competed with strong rivalsfrom Thailand and Cambodia in the contest, in which the jury and internationalchefs inspected the visual aspects of the rice submitted, as well as performeda sensory evaluation of the rice (pre-cooked and cooked), before unanimouslyannouncing Vietnam’s ST24 as the winner of this year’s contest.
This is the first time ever that aVietnamese rice variety has been honoured as the best in the world after 10seasons of the annual contest.
ST24, developed by a group of scientists ofthe Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang, could be cultivated in up to threecrops per year.
In 2017, ST24 came third in the 9th World’sBest Rice event in Macau, China.
Director of Soc Trang Department ofAgriculture and Rural Development Luong Minh Quyet said cultivation areas of STrice line have been expanded annually, with ST24 accounting for over 10,000 ha./.
Export prices for Indian and Thai rice increased this week on the back of an appreciation in their domestic currencies, while that of Vietnam went down over quiet demand.
The Mekong Delta, the country’s rice granary, will see summer – autumn rice output increase by 150,000 tonnes this year, the Plant Cultivation Department has estimated.
Ensuring food security is an urgent issue at present with food supply sources and access to safe food supplies being seriously affected, especially by climate change, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Quoc Doanh said at a forum in Hanoi on November 5.
The Nguyen Du Lao-Vietnamese bilingual school has positioned itself as a prestigious education establishment, nurturing generations of Vietnamese and Lao students while preserving Vietnamese culture and language as well as strengthening the special bonds between the two countries
For households of people with meritorious service and relatives of fallen soldiers, the province supported the construction and renovation of 2,374 houses, achieving 100% of the set target, 342 newly built and 2,032 renovated.
Held under the theme “Pride and Aspiration”, this year's “Glory to Vietnam” programme aimed to inspire the Vietnamese people's ambition to reach new heights during the era of integration and development.
According to the Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC), this year’s campaign provided long-term aid for 3,785 individuals and organisations. Support included houses, clean water systems, school meal facilities, books, and livelihood assistance, with a total value of more than 118 billion VND.
The programmes have brought about positive changes to rural infrastructure, comprehensively improved the material and spiritual lives of farmers, and contributed to Vietnam's economic restructuring, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.
The festival highlighted the contributions and robust development of Vietnam's revolutionary press over the past century while promoting press products and showcasing the creativity of Vietnamese journalists.
The programme on sustainable poverty reduction has achieved its annual targets for reducing the poverty rate as assigned by the National Assembly and the Government. It has fulfilled five specific objectives and five five-year goals, and met nine out of 12 indicators related to addressing basic social service shortages.
UNICEF stands ready to support the Government in implementing this important law and in continuing to invest in teachers as the cornerstone of a resilient, inclusive, and high-quality education system for all children.
PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted how Vietnam's revolutionary press has continuously evolved and strengthened over the past century, affirming its role as a sharp and vital political, cultural, and ideological weapon serving the Fatherland and the people in the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Engineer Ho Quang Cua, a member of Soc Trang's group of scientists that developed the ST24 rice variety (Source: VNA) 
