Shrimp–Rice Enterprises and Cooperatives Strengthen Market Linkages at Vietnam FoodExpo 2025
Six enterprises and eight cooperatives from the Mekong Delta participated in showcasing ecological shrimp–rice products at the International Food Industry Exhibition – Vietnam FoodExpo 2025, held in mid-November in Ho Chi Minh City.
Rice products: Ecological ST24 and ST25 rice from the shrimp–rice farming model; deeply processed products such as flour, noodles, vermicelli, and pho.
Shrimp products: Black tiger shrimp and whiteleg shrimp for export; dried shrimp, shrimp salt, shrimp crackers, and other deeply processed products.
Vietnam FoodExpo is the largest food exhibition in Vietnam, featuring more than 500 booths from nearly 400 enterprises representing over 30 provinces and cities nationwide, as well as close to 20 countries.
Luu Thi Yen Hang, Director of Hong Tan Rice Company, introduces brown rice and red-striped rice products. In addition to focusing on organic rice production, Hong Tan also provides training for workers on occupational safety and health, and on practices to reduce environmental pollution. Female workers are offered flexible working hours and childcare support to help ease the double burden faced by women.
In 2023, Hong Tan Company achieved the internationally recognized ISO 22000 certification for its food safety management system. Oxfam has partnered with Hong Tan on several rice value-chain projects since 2018.
The six enterprises and eight cooperatives participating in Vietnam FoodExpo 2025 are all producers applying the natural, ecological shrimp–rice model, which is safe for farmers, aims to reduce emissions, and aligns with Vietnam’s international commitments to green agricultural development. These entities are supported by the DGD Project. The fair provided an important opportunity for enterprises and cooperatives to strengthen market linkages, seek consumption partners, and promote sustainable agricultural production models.
Tai Ky Food - Flour JSC is progressing toward a responsible business model, focusing not only on improving production and ensuring occupational safety for workers, but also on building a work environment that respects women—the company’s core workforce.
One of its notable policies allows female employees to leave work one hour earlier on days when they have their menstrual period.
Vinh Loi Agricultural Cooperative, Can Tho, shares information about its ST25 rice product produced in a safe and organic-oriented manner.
The DGD Project is also implementing various support activities to improve production and processing practices, enhance the working environment, working conditions, and human resource policies, and apply ESG frameworks in operations and reporting—aligned with international standards on social responsibility, environmental protection, and quality—thereby helping enterprises become better prepared to integrate more deeply into global supply chains.
Huynh Thi Ly, a member of the Hoa De Agricultural and Fisheries Cooperative, successfully secured project funding in August 2024 to boost women’s income and OSH through improved shrimp production. Her proposal—focused on enhancing productivity and safety—received around 7,000 USD to enhance the processing stage to meet OSH standards such as using shrimp salt roaster, shrimp floss mixer, and vacuum packaging machine.
As a result, the cooperative’s productivity increased fivefold, product quality improved, and monthly income for members rose from 120 to 180 USD while improved OSH for female members of the cooperative.
The DGD Project, funded by the Belgian Directorate-General for Development Cooperation (2022–2026), comprises two components: (i) “Promoting access to social protection and improved working conditions for women farmers and seasonal agricultural workers in the shrimp and rice value chains in Vietnam,” and (ii) “Improving access to international markets for shrimp and rice enterprises through enhanced skills and occupational safety and health at the enterprise level.”
The project is implemented by Oxfam in Vietnam in collaboration with the Farmers’ Union and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Ho Chi Minh City Branch (VCCI-HCM) in the Mekong Delta.