The Vice- Chairman of People’s Committee of Hau Giang province, Trinh Quang Hung: the Festival will create tradename for Vietnam rice

The first Vietnam Rice Festival in Hau Giang is ready for the opening day. All preparation work is being completed urgently. Mr. Trinh Quang Hung, the Vice Chairman of People’s Committee of the province, and also the head of the Festival organization board says:

The first Vietnam Rice Festival is to respect the civilization of Vietnam wet rice which is attached to the long-time cultural tradition of the nation. This first Vietnam Rice Festival will contribute to improving the transfer of technology and scicence in agriculture production and developing trade and Vietnam rice export. In there, we try to build trade name of rice in the Mekong Delta and Hau Giang, one of the centres trading Vietnam rice. Besides, this Festival also creates motive power for development of a new province and the interest for Hau Giang.

• The rice yield in Hau Giang is still low in comparison with that of other provinces in the Mekong Delta. So what is the reason for Hau Giang to be honored in organizing the Festival?

To me, it is not always to organize the rice Festival in the province with large rice cultivating area and rice high yield. For example, Singapore and Japan are not rich in natural resources and potential, but they can develop many aspects etc. however, the main reason for Hau Giang to organize this Festival is that Hau Giang is located in the centre of sub-area of western Lower Mekong River, the rice producing region of the Mekong delta. Hau Giang was the early place to export rice in the country. In 1940 decade of the previous century, near the Xa No canal is the big rice storehouse in Bay Ngan and this is also the place exporting much rice to the world. That is not the decisive reason for organizing the Festival but it is the interesting detail for this Festival.

• How are the preparation work for organizing the first Vietnam Rice Festival carried out?

The preparation time is very short, but we are very happy that the preparation work is completed basically. At the present, the installation and organization work, decoration, exhibition fair are under construction. In there, centre area for exhibiting trading information of rice market until now is registered by 400 stands in accordance with the design. With the participation of 30 provinces and cities and 300 agencies, domestic and foreign units organizations, enterprises. The exhibiting area of “Vietnam rice” with 1,800 m2 is under construction as planed. Besides, areas which exhibit indoor models; machine; industrial and consuming goods fair, Vietnamese goods to the rural area; street decoration, lamp, main greeting gate, central greeting gate and other greeting gate in the area of organizing the Festival are in the final stage of completion.

• Please tell us the main programs and activities of this Festival.

This is the important event for economy, culture and society in Hau Giang. The Festival has nearly 20 activities in which the main ones are: festival opening, closing, introducing the specific artistic value of the Mekong river which are attached to the wet rice civilization and the cultural features of each area and region in the country. Four workshops include international workshop on rice export, Investment promotion workshop, workshop of “Xa No canal, the rice way of Hau Giang”, the Vietnam wet rice workshop. There are 500 stands. Besides 300 stands of enterprises trading in food and enterprises producing machine and equipment used in rice production, there are more than 100 exhibition stands of provinces, cities, indoor and outdoor exhibition areas, Vietnam food exhibiting area, Vietnam rice area etc.

Besides, there are secondary activities such as: granting golden cup to Vietnam rice exporting prestigious enterprises, good agriculture encouraging activity prize, actors’ and actresses’ musical instrument playing and singing festival, reappearing floating market, organizing food and drink festival, Ngo wooden boat race, organizing traveling tours, a series of 30 cars parading for welcoming the festival from HCMC, ceremony of attaching the board of project in celebration of Thang Long-Ha Noi commemoration for 1000 years.

* Can you tell me what Hau Giang should do to improve the rice quality in the market after the festival?

Firstly, the agriculture should make a further plan for the high yield and quality rice production zone. There should be an investment in equipments, machines to improve the rice quality. The preservation and process of products should be done well. The fair, equal combination should be made to ensure the rice farmers’ interest.

* Can you make an appraisal for the chance of Hau Giang as well as Vietnam rice in the Festival ?

Although it is impossible to be expected how many rice can be sold, how many contracts can be concluded in the festival, the marketing for Vietnam rice trademark can be done, which expresses Vietnam people’s pride on the agriculture including the rice production. Through the Festival, The rice trademark for Hau Giang as well as the Mekong Delta is introduced to the domestic and international customers; introducing the rice trade, production to everyone in order that Hau Giang rice is thought of whenever it is mentioned. And forming the rice market, the rice distribution center in the country and the exporting market; developing exchanges, trade of rice in the coming days.

* Thank you !

By HOANG TRUNG