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The Ultimate Guide to Vietnam’s Top 11 Rice Varieties: A Consumer’s Favorite

Rice is an integral part of the diet for many, especially in Vietnam. We are here to showcase the top 11 Vietnamese rice varieties that are beloved by consumers across the nation. Get ready to indulge in the ultimate guide to the finest rice grains Vietnam has to offer!

Administrator

23 July, 2024

Vietnam is a country renowned for its ancient rice civilization, producing some of the world’s most delectable rice varieties. So, which Vietnamese rice varieties are consumer favorites? Let’s find out in the article below!

1 ST25 Rice

– ST25 rice, named after the place of its research and production, Sóc Trăng, in southern Vietnam, is a fragrant rice variety developed over 20 years by engineer Hồ Quang Cua, Dr. Trần Tấn Phương, and engineer Nguyễn Thị Thu Hương. ST25 rice boasts superior qualities and an exquisite fragrance.

In 2019, ST25 rice was crowned the world’s best rice at the 11th World’s Best Rice Contest organized by The Rice Trader, surpassing rice varieties from Thailand and Cambodia. The following year, it bagged the second prize at the “World’s Best Rice 2020” contest held in the United States.

What sets ST25 rice apart is its exceptional nutritional content. It contains 10 times more antioxidants than regular rice, along with essential amino acids and minerals. Its grains are slender, translucent, and devoid of the typical white belly. It exudes a fragrant aroma reminiscent of young rice and cooks into delectably sweet, sticky rice. Notably, its high protein content makes it suitable for diabetics, the elderly, and children.

Reference price: Approximately 35,000 VND/kg ($1.50/kg)

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ST25 Rice

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2 ST24 Rice

ST24 rice, another creation of engineer Hồ Quang Cua, is ranked among the world’s top 3 rice varieties. Grown predominantly in Sóc Trăng, its grains are slender, translucent, and emanate a subtle pandan leaf fragrance when cooked, resulting in fragrant and sticky rice even when cooled. Its high nutritional content promotes satiety and is suitable for the elderly and diabetics, making it a popular choice for families.

Reference price: Approximately 36,000 VND/kg ($1.55/kg)

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ST24 Rice

Additionally, there is a specialty clean rice variety from Sóc Trăng that has gained popularity among consumers – ST21 rice, also known as Long Lài rice. Produced from the ST rice variety unique to Sóc Trăng province, ST21 rice is the result of engineer Hồ Quang Cua’s meticulous selection and crossbreeding of fragrant specialty rice varieties. Consequently, ST21 rice boasts superior nutritional content, delightful flavor, and widespread cultivation, making it a familiar choice for Vietnamese consumers.

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3 Jasmine 85 Fragrant Rice

Jasmine 85 is a prevalent rice variety in Vietnam, mainly cultivated in the Mekong Delta region during the winter-spring and summer-autumn seasons. It is a stable yield variety, producing slender, translucent grains with a distinctive aroma and a subtle natural sweetness that appeals to many palates. It is widely produced and exported to numerous countries worldwide.

Reference price: Approximately 14,000 VND/kg ($0.60/kg)

Jasmine 85 Fragrant Rice

4 Fragrant Lai Rice

Fragrant Lai rice hails from the fertile, alluvium-rich land of Long An province and is typically harvested from September to November on the lunar calendar. Its grains are slender and translucent, exuding the distinctive fragrance of jasmine flowers and offering an irresistible flavor. This rice variety boasts a natural subtle sweetness and retains its sticky and soft texture even when cooled.

Reference price: Approximately 20,000 VND/kg ($0.85/kg)

Fragrant Lai Rice

5 Thai Fragrant Rice

Thai Fragrant Rice, propagated from Thailand, is widely cultivated in the northern and southwestern regions of Vietnam. Its grains are small, slender, and evenly white, emitting a mild fragrance when cooked. Its affordability and quality make it a popular choice among Vietnamese consumers.

Reference price: Approximately 23,000 VND/kg ($1/kg)

Thai Fragrant Rice

6 Tai Nguyen Fragrant Rice

Tai Nguyen Fragrant Rice, originating from the fertile land of Long An, can only be grown once a year, resulting in highly nutritious grains. Its grains are slender, translucent, and slightly opaque, cooking into soft, fluffy, and sweet-smelling rice. It is a favorite among those who prefer dry rice.

Reference price: Approximately 17,000 VND/kg ($0.75/kg)

Tai Nguyen Fragrant Rice

7 Bac Huong Rice

Bac Huong rice is a favorite among the people of Nam Dinh province, primarily cultivated in Hai Hau and Giao Thuy districts. As it is grown in various regions, finding authentic Bac Huong rice with its original flavor can be challenging. Nonetheless, it remains a popular choice in northern Vietnam. Its grains are small, slender, and translucent, yielding sweet and sticky rice even when cooled.

Reference price: Approximately 22,000 VND/kg ($0.95/kg)

Bac Huong Rice

7 Tam Xoan Hai Hau Rice

Tam Xoan Hai Hau rice, originating from the fertile land of Nam Dinh, is beloved across Vietnam. Its grains are small, slender, and characterized by a distinctive greenish-white hue. This rice variety impresses with its rapid cooking time, sticky texture, and alluring fragrance.

Reference price: Approximately 23,000 VND/kg ($1/kg)

Tam Xoan Hai Hau Rice

8 Ham Chau Rice

Ham Chau rice is a short-day rice variety with a growing season of approximately 90 days and remarkable adaptability to challenging soil conditions, including saline-alkali land. Its grains are short and translucent, cooking into soft, fluffy, and sweet rice. It is an excellent choice for those who prefer dry, soft, and fluffy rice.

Reference price: Approximately 13,500 VND/kg ($0.60/kg)

Ham Chau Rice

9 Nang Xuan Rice

Nang Xuan rice is a hybrid variety resulting from the crossbreeding of Tam Xoan Hai Hau rice from Vietnam and Khao Dawk Mali rice from Thailand. This unique combination gives Nang Xuan rice slender, translucent grains that, when cooked, offer the sweetness of Tam Xoan Hai Hau and the softness and stickiness of Khao Dawk Mali. Moreover, it blends the delicate fragrances of young rice and pandan leaves from these two varieties, making it a trusted choice for many consumers.

Reference price: Approximately 23,000 VND/kg ($1/kg)

Nang Xuan Rice

10 Lai Mien Fragrant Rice

Lai Mien Fragrant Rice, originating from the Khao Dawk Mali and RD15 rice varieties of Thailand, is ranked among the world’s best rice varieties. Grown only once a year, it ensures exceptional quality and nutritional content. Its grains are uniformly slender, round, and translucent, without the typical white belly. When cooked, it emits a mild fragrance and yields soft, sticky, and fluffy rice with a subtle sweetness. Its taste and texture have earned it a place in the hearts of many rice connoisseurs.

Reference price: Approximately 28,000 VND/kg ($1.20/kg)

We are a trusted source for purchasing various high-quality and affordable rice varieties.

Lai Mien Fragrant Rice

We hope that through this article, you can find the perfect rice variety to suit your taste and elevate your daily meals!

Frequently asked questions

The top rice varieties in Vietnam are those that are widely consumed and loved by the Vietnamese people. These include the following:
– Vietnamese Jasmine Rice (Rice Type 1): Known for its fragrant aroma and delicate flavor, it is a long-grain rice variety that is popular for everyday meals.
– Sticky Rice (Rice Type 2): Used in making traditional dishes like xoi (sticky rice dumplings) and banh chung (sticky rice cakes), this short-grain variety has a glutinous texture and a sweet taste.
– Red Sticky Rice: Used in desserts and often served during special occasions, this rice variety has a nutty flavor and a reddish-purple color.
– Northern Mountainous Rice: Grown in the mountainous regions of Vietnam, this rice is known for its firm texture and sweet taste. It is often used in dishes like com (rice salad) and xoi ngo (mountainous sticky rice with sesame).
– Southern Rice: Grown in the Mekong Delta region, this rice variety is known for its soft texture and slightly sticky quality. It is often used for making dishes like broken rice (com tam) and porridge (chao).
– Fragrant Rice (Hua Dao): This rice variety has a strong aroma and a delicate flavor, often used in high-end restaurants and exported to demanding markets.

To cook Vietnamese rice to perfection, follow these tips:
– Rinse the rice: Before cooking, rinse the rice multiple times until the water runs clear to remove any excess starch. This ensures a fluffier texture.
– Water ratio: For long-grain rice, use a 1:1.5 ratio of rice to water. For sticky rice, use a 1:1 ratio, and for Southern rice, a 1:1.25 ratio is ideal.
– Soaking: Soaking the rice for 30 minutes before cooking can help improve the texture, especially for sticky rice varieties.
– Cooking method: Use the absorption method by bringing the rice and water to a boil, then reducing the heat to low, covering, and simmering until the water is absorbed. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking.
– Resting: After cooking, let the rice rest, covered, for about 10 minutes. This helps to distribute the moisture evenly and results in a better texture.

There are numerous traditional Vietnamese dishes that feature rice as a key ingredient. Here are some examples:
– Com (Rice Salad): A simple dish of steamed rice mixed with various herbs, vegetables, and meat, often served with a dipping sauce.
– Xoi (Sticky Rice Dumplings): Sweet or savory dumplings made with sticky rice and filled or topped with ingredients like mung beans, coconut, or fried shallots.
– Banh Chung (Sticky Rice Cake): A traditional cake made with sticky rice, mung beans, and pork, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.
– Com Tam (Broken Rice): A dish made with broken grains of rice, often served with grilled pork, egg, and a side of vegetables and dipping sauce.
– Chao (Porridge): A comforting rice porridge often served with various toppings and side dishes, such as fish, pork, or preserved eggs.

While it is possible to substitute Vietnamese rice with other types of rice, the resulting texture and taste may differ. Here’s a quick guide:
– Long-grain rice: You can substitute Vietnamese long-grain rice with other types of long-grain rice, such as basmati or American long-grain. The texture will be similar, but the aroma and flavor may vary.
– Sticky rice: Thai sticky rice or Japanese sweet rice can be used as substitutes for Vietnamese sticky rice. However, adjust the water ratio as these varieties may require slightly more or less water.
– Red sticky rice: There is no direct substitute for red sticky rice, but you can try using brown sticky rice or black sticky rice for a similar chewy texture and nutty flavor.
– Northern mountainous rice: Try substituting it with other varieties of firm-textured rice, such as brown rice or wild rice, for a similar chewy bite.

You can purchase authentic Vietnamese rice varieties from specialty Asian grocery stores or online retailers that import Vietnamese food products. Look for brands that specifically offer Vietnamese rice, as the packaging may be in Vietnamese. Additionally, some larger supermarkets with well-stocked international sections may carry Vietnamese rice. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask the store owners or managers about the availability of Vietnamese rice varieties.