Hanoi, Viet Nam, March 23, 2026 — The Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), in collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the World Bank, convened a technical workshop on “Promoting branding for low-emission agricultural products in Viet Nam”. Held in hybrid format in Hanoi, the workshop formed part of the Facilitating Low-Carbon and Green Agriculture Transformation project, supported by the World Bank through the Korea–World Bank Partnership Facility (KWPF) and implemented by GGGI.

As Viet Nam advances its 2050 net-zero commitment, the crop sector is expected to play an important role in reducing emissions while responding to rising market expectations around sustainability, low-emission production, and traceability. This direction is also reflected in recent policy efforts, including the One Million Hectares High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice Program in the Mekong Delta by 2030 and the Scheme on Emission Reductions in Crop Production for 2025–2035, with a Vision to 2050.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu, Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, emphasized that green production must be linked more closely to market value, with branding for low-emission agricultural products serving as an important breakthrough point.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu, Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Photo: GGGI

Mr. Guo Li, Senior Agriculture Economist at the World Bank, echoed the importance of stronger market positioning for low-emission agricultural products, highlighting certification and branding as important tools to strengthen their recognition and competitiveness in international markets.

GGGI Country Representative, Mr. Juhern Kim, highlighted that advancing low-carbon agriculture will require stronger project design and financing approaches that can support implementation at scale, while introducing GGGI’s efforts in Viet Nam through multiple entry points, from technical assistance, pilot business models, and ag-tech startup acceleration to the mobilization of green finance.

The workshop examined how low-emission agricultural products can gain stronger recognition in the market. Presentations drew on lessons from the Republic of Korea, shared by Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI), on linking emission-reduction practices with certification, labeling, and branding; the role of carbon finance, presented by GGGI, in supporting green transition and value creation; and local implementation experience from the Vietnam Rice Sector Association (VIETRISA) on the development of the “Vietnam Green Low-Emission Rice” model. Professor Bui Ba Bong, former Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Chairman of VIETRISA, noted that eight enterprises have already been certified under the model trademark, showcasing early progress in translating low-emission production into market recognition.

Delegates at the workshop “Promoting branding for low-emission agricultural products in Viet Nam.” Photo: GGGI.

The follow-up panel discussion pointed to several areas that will be important for moving this agenda forward in Viet Nam. These include stronger standards and certification systems, more reliable and cost-effective MRV, and closer value-chain linkages to support implementation and market uptake. Participants also highlighted the need to better connect branding, market development, and supporting finance, alongside stronger coordination among the government, the private sector, and international partners.

The workshop brought together 160 representatives from central and provincial government agencies, research institutions, universities, businesses, industry associations, international organizations, and development partners — including Intellectual Property Office/Ministry of Science and Technology, National Agricultural Extension Center, Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment, Field Crops Research Institute, GIZ, Oxfam, IRRI, FAO, SNV, Vinarice — presenting diverse policy, technical, market, and implementation perspectives.

The event formed part of the Facilitating Low-Carbon and Green Agriculture Transformation project, funded by the World Bank through KWPF and coordinated by GGGI in partnership with MAE and domestic stakeholders. The initiative supports Viet Nam in strengthening policy foundations, technical advisory support, and knowledge sharing for greener, lower-emission agriculture, while also contributing to broader efforts around the country’s one-million-hectare high-quality, low-emission rice program.