Can Tho University: Six decades of advancing agricultural science

Building the foundation of national agro-aquatic development

After 37 years of rice exports, Vietnam has made a strong mark on global markets, shipping approximately 150 million tons in total. In the past three years alone, exports have consistently exceeded 8 million tons annually. Notably, Vietnam now leads the world in the segment of soft, lightly fragrant rice, accounting for roughly three-quarters of its total rice exports.

These achievements have been realized on a relatively modest production base of about 1.6 million hectares in the Mekong Delta, with an average yield of 6.3 tons per hectare per crop and a land-use intensity of 2.37 cycles per year. As a result, Vietnam has become the most productive rice producer in Southeast Asia and the only country among the world’s top three rice exporters to achieve such high productivity levels.

Behind these figures lies a sustained commitment to scientific research and human capital development, particularly in rice breeding and agricultural engineering. Much of this work is closely tied to Can Tho University, which has played a central role in training generations of engineers and researchers.

One prominent example is Ho Quang Cua, a Labor Hero and alumnus of the university, who contributed to the development of the ST25 rice variety, named the world’s best rice in 2019. Following this recognition, he established a branded rice product with both domestic and international protection.

He has since developed an enterprise-led agricultural extension model in the Ca Mau Peninsula, applying microbial products derived from research at Can Tho University to improve soil conditions, reduce pests, and enhance production efficiency. This approach has helped position ST25 as a key crop within the region’s distinctive rice - shrimp farming ecosystem, now covering nearly 200,000 hectares and ranking third in cultivated area across the Mekong Delta.

Importantly, the model also contributes to monitoring and forecasting climate change impacts, particularly in vulnerable coastal zones.

Beyond rice, Vietnam’s aquaculture sector has also achieved global prominence. Pangasius exports rank first worldwide, reaching over $2 billion in 2025, while shrimp exports rank third globally at $4.6 billion. These outcomes are closely linked to advances in breeding, reproduction techniques, farming processes, and processing technologies developed by the university’s fisheries faculty.

Despite these successes, maintaining consistent product quality remains a challenge. Ho Quang Cua is currently collaborating with the university’s College of Agriculture to decode the full genome structure of ST24 and ST25 rice varieties. The goal is to develop a genetic-based certification system to verify seed purity and provide standardized certification for high-quality rice products.

Such a system, he argues, would be critical in stabilizing product quality, preventing market inconsistencies, and strengthening consumer trust both domestically and internationally.

He has also proposed establishing a national certification center for ST25 rice in Vietnam, with Can Tho University playing a central role, an initiative aimed at reinforcing the global standing of Vietnamese rice over the long term.

From technology transfer to “exporting” science

From its early years, when specialized research institutes had yet to fully develop, Can Tho University took a pioneering role in training agricultural engineers and conducting applied research tailored to the unique conditions of the Mekong Delta.

A notable example is the expansion of agricultural production on acid sulfate soils in the Long Xuyen Quadrangle and Dong Thap Muoi regions. Initially launched as a bilateral cooperation project between Vietnam and the Netherlands, the initiative later evolved into a multilateral model.

Its success not only rehabilitated vast areas of degraded land but also laid the groundwork for expanding rice cultivation and developing comprehensive technical solutions for water management in acid soils.

According to Ho Quang Cua, Vietnamese scientists eventually moved from receiving international assistance to mastering and adapting these technologies, developing solutions tailored to local conditions and transferring them abroad.

This evolution highlights a broader shift: science and technology are no longer confined to domestic production but are increasingly becoming “exportable products,” contributing to the global recognition of Vietnam’s agricultural expertise.

Human capital as a strategic asset

Today, the Mekong Delta’s estimated 150,000 high-level professionals, many of them trained at Can Tho University, are active across management, research, and production. They play a central role in implementing socio-economic development strategies and driving export achievements that were once difficult to evision.

“This workforce has helped deliver results beyond expectations over 50 years since national reunification,” Ho Quang Cua noted, pointing to improvements not only in economic output but also in rural infrastructure, transportation, and quality of life.

Nguyen Thanh Phuong, Party Secretary of Can Tho University, emphasized that over 60 years, the institution has shaped three strategic pillars: improving training quality to international standards aligned with market needs; advancing science and technology in key and strategic fields; and strengthening linkages among government, scientists, and businesses.

The university has also invested heavily in research infrastructure, including a major seed bank housing more than 3,000 rice varieties, the largest of its kind in the Mekong Delta.

As Vietnam’s agricultural sector transitions from a production-focused model to an economic model emphasizing quality and value, the role of science and technology is becoming increasingly critical.

With its strategic location in the heart of the Mekong Delta and a strong foundation in research and training, Can Tho University is well positioned to expand its role as a center for innovation. The establishment of its College of Agriculture further reinforces its leadership in specialized training and research tailored to regional conditions.

By continuing to integrate scientific research with real-world applications and fostering collaboration across sectors, the university is expected to remain a key driver in elevating the value of Vietnamese agriculture, both domestically and on the global stage.