According to The Rice Trader's confirmation published on August 30, 2026, ST25 developed by engineer Hồ Quang Cua and produced by Doanh nghiệp tư nhân Hồ Quang Trí was Vietnam's sole recipient of 'World's Best Rice' in 2019, 2023 and 2025. This does not mean every product named ST25 may claim association with all three awards.
What does The Rice Trader confirm?
After differing market claims about 'World's Best Rice', organizer The Rice Trader issued a confirmation signed by Chairman and CEO Jeremy Zwinger. The published text states ST25 developed by engineer Hồ Quang Cua and produced by Doanh nghiệp tư nhân Hồ Quang Trí was Vietnam's sole recipient in 2019, 2023 and 2025.
It also states no other Vietnamese company, brand or rice variety received or jointly received the title in those three years. Crucially, this concerns the competition sample, developer and producer associated with the award, not every market product using the ST25 variety name.
Three milestones: 2019, 2023 and 2025
In Manila, Philippines in 2019, ST25 first won the top title, becoming the first Vietnamese rice variety to win. In Cebu, Philippines in 2023, it won again after blind tasting in which international chef judges did not know the sample's variety, company or country.
At the 2025 competition in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, first prize was shared by Vietnam's ST25 and Cambodia's Phka Romdoul. Jeremy Zwinger later presented ST25's trophy in Cần Thơ on February 2, 2026, marking its third top finish.
Why can the ST25 name be used misleadingly?
ST25 is first a rice variety name. The commercial chain also includes producers, distributors, package brands and award identifiers. When these information layers are mixed, consumers may assume any ST25-named product is the award winner.
A credible promotional claim must answer three questions: which product competed, whom the organizer confirmed and which year the claim concerns. Missing any layer makes it easy to use the title beyond its actual scope.
Behind the title lies long-term research
Engineer Hồ Quang Cua and colleagues spent decades breeding aromatic ST rice varieties in Sóc Trăng. ST25 did not emerge from a short communications campaign but from selection, crossing, testing and adaptation to regional production conditions.
Three international awards enhance Vietnamese rice's commercial value while making provenance and award integrity more urgent to protect. If the market cannot distinguish the award-linked product, decades of research value may be diluted.
Business lesson: credibility needs evidence
An award can accelerate awareness, but the evidence system maintains long-term trust. Businesses must manage award names, years, badge images and the connection between current products and competition entries.
Buyers and partners can check safely by consulting the organizer, matching company names in confirmations and reviewing provenance. A title's value is not how prominently it appears on packaging but whether it can be verified when customers ask.
- The Rice Trader confirms Hồ Quang Cua and DNTN Hồ Quang Trí's ST25 is associated with the three awards
- The 2025 title was jointly awarded to Vietnam's ST25 and Cambodia's Phka Romdoul
- Rice variety names, product brands and rights to use award identifiers must be distinguished
An award creates lasting value only when the business proves provenance, the recipient and permitted usage scope. Greater reputation requires stronger evidence.
Suggested actions
Sources and updates
Original editorial work by Bài Học Kinh Doanh based on The Rice Trader's confirmation published by Dân Trí on August 30, 2026; the 2025 trophy presentation was cross-checked with VietnamPlus on February 2, 2026 and The Rice Trader's official website. This clarifies market information, not replaces legal conclusions on intellectual property or trademark usage rights.
Last updated: 31 Aug 2026
Bài Học Kinh Doanh Editorial Team
Editorial Team | Bài Học Kinh DoanhBan Biên tập Bài Học Kinh Doanh tổng hợp và biên tập các nội dung về kinh doanh, thị trường, quản trị, công nghệ và khởi nghiệp, với mục tiêu giúp người đọc hiểu rõ vấn đề, nhìn thấy bài học phía sau dữ kiện và có thêm cơ sở cho các quyết định thực tế.
View author profile
