Vietnam's ST25 rice named world’s second best

The competition was part of the 2026 World Rice Conference organized from Wednesday to Friday in Manila, bringing together samples from leading rice-producing nations.

Myanmar claimed the top prize for the first time in 15 years, while the Philippines took third place. 

India and Thailand shared fourth place.

The judging panel, composed of international chefs and rice experts, evaluated entries both as raw grains and cooked rice.

Criteria included grain uniformity, length, aroma, texture, and taste.

Each year’s entries come from the latest harvest, meaning consistency across seasons is critical for maintaining a high ranking.

ST25 rice, developed by Vietnamese agricultural engineer Ho Quang Cua and his team after more than 30 years of research, has become a symbol of Vietnam’s premium rice industry.

It previously won first place in 2019, 2023, and 2025 (the latter shared with Cambodia), and third place in 2017.

This year’s second-place finish reinforces its reputation for quality and consistency.

The Ong Cua rice brand has secured trademark protection in Vietnam, the U.S., the UK, the European Union, Australia, Hong Kong, and mainland China.

It is distributed in markets such as the U.S., Australia, and Canada through official partners.

At this year’s conference, Ong Cua rice showcased its story and product to international buyers and experts, further strengthening Vietnam’s presence in the global rice trade.