The journey to affirming the value of Viet Nam's clean rice

Aspiration to deliver clean rice to the family table

Across the golden, grain-laden fields of the Nine Dragon River Delta (the Mekong Delta), a region blessed by the rich natural environment of the Hau and Tien river systems, an enterprise has quietly but persistently pursued the mission of creating rice that is clean, pure, highly nutritious, and imbued with the soul of Vietnam.

This is the Western Clean Food Safety Company Limited (An Toan Luong thuc sach Mien Tay Co.), a brand intrinsically linked to the more than a century of rice cultivation by the Muoi Mam family line in the Co Do region of Can Tho. From the first generation that sowed the traditional seasonal rice varieties on the alluvial fields in 1890, to the third generation today, this journey is a story of steadfastness and an aspiration to thrive using the native rice grain.

Over the course of more than 130 years, from the wild floating rice to seasonal rice varieties, and then the cross-bred Than Nong rice line, the farmers here have continuously learned and innovated to enhance the value of the Vietnamese rice grain. Notably, since the 1970s, the "Mong Chim Rice" brand became a familiar name on dinner tables in the Mekong Delta, and it maintains its reputation in the market to this day.

Inheriting this essence, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nguyen, the third generation of the family, bravely transitioned the production model, moving the family's agriculture into a new phase: clean, organic, and sustainable farming, with the consultation and guidance of the late Professor Dr. Vo Tong Xuan, and the technical support of Can Tho University, the Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute (Cuu Long Delta Rice Research Institute), and the Vietnam Farm and Agriculture Association.

In 2015, the Western Clean Food Safety Company Limited was officially established, marking a crucial turning point in standardizing the rice value chain toward modernization. With an initial total investment of 68 billion USD, the enterprise quickly affirmed its pioneering position in the clean rice sector by simultaneously developing a 7,200-hectare raw material area, organizing closed-loop cultivation, applying high technology, and gradually forming a "farm-to-table" ecosystem.

Not stopping at production, the enterprise also invested in the Mekong Delta Clean Rice Development Center, where every rice grain is selected, milled, polished, and packaged according to European-standard procedures, under the strict supervision of specialized food safety agencies. From this center, bags of clean rice, such as Thien Nong - CT168, Mong Chim - CT152, Organic MT179, and Than Nong CT504, are created, carrying the dedication of the Mekong Delta farmers to every Vietnamese meal.

Affirming the Position of Viet Nam's Clean Rice

With a vision to become the leading clean rice brand, the Western Clean Food Safety Company Limited launched the "Organic Agriculture" Project in 2025. This project is part of the sustainable green agriculture development plan, implemented across 20 key raw material zones throughout the Delta. The project spans 10,000 hectares and aims to achieve VN Organic, EU Organic, and USDA Organic certifications, with a total investment of up to 14.975 trillion USD, positioning it as one of the largest-scale organic programs in the region.

A distinguishing feature of the project is its circular value chain model, connecting farmers, cooperatives, and the enterprise. Each cultivation area is managed using a digital logbook, QR traceability, and the MRV - GRM process, ensuring transparency throughout the entire journey of the rice grain, from cultivation, harvesting, drying, milling, and packaging to distribution. All by-products, including straw, husks, and manure, are recycled into microbial organic fertilizer, helping to reduce chemical inputs by 20% while also contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions, in pursuit of sustainable development goals.

In parallel, the enterprise will construct a milling plant with a capacity of 200,000 tons/year, an organic fertilizer plant of 50,000 tons/year, along with six clusters of drying kilns and transshipment warehouses capable of storing over 27,000 tons of paddy. Each grain of rice is dried in a closed system to ensure standard moisture content, then passes through a multi-spectral optical sorting line, is polished 2–3 times, and packaged with inert gas to preserve its natural flavor.

The Western Clean Food Safety Company Limited is focused on developing the domestic market, collaborating with supermarket systems, clean food chains, and e-commerce platforms, making it easy for Vietnamese consumers to access genuine "Made in Mekong" clean rice.

Among the diverse product lines, CT168 Thien Nong Clean Rice is still considered the "soul" of the brand. This is a characteristic seasonal rice variety with good salt-tolerance, making it suitable for the Mekong Delta's soil. The grains are pure white and uniform, carrying a subtle aroma of young rice flakes and pandan leaves. When cooked, the rice is fragrant, soft, and maintains its natural sweetness even when cooled. More than just a staple food, CT168 Thien Nong symbolizes the combination of tradition, technology, and social responsibility, earning the trust of consumers both domestically and internationally.

Beyond being delicious, Thien Nong rice is rich in minerals and vitamins: high in magnesium for strong bones, high in fiber to aid digestion, and contains B vitamins to help improve the nervous system, control blood sugar, and manage weight. From the elderly to small children, every family member can consume it daily with confidence. Therefore, in every bag of Thien Nong clean rice, consumers not only find the natural sweetness of the Mekong Delta but also feel the heartfelt dedication of the Vietnamese farmers woven into every grain.

Around the Lunar New Year, when families gather for reunion dinners, the rice grain becomes a symbol of warmth and prosperity. The Western Clean Food Safety Company Limited is spreading the message: "Choose clean rice - live green - live healthy," calling on the community to join hands in building a sustainable agriculture for the health of the Vietnamese people and the green future of the nation.

Through persistence, responsibility, and an aspiration for innovation, the enterprise is continuing the century-old story of the Co Do region, where the rice grain not only sustains people but also elevates the Vietnamese rice brand on the global map.