Vietnam Presents 5,000 Tons of Rice to the People of Cuba

 On April 6, 2023, at the Hai Hung Regional State Reserve Department, the General Department of State Reserves, together with representatives from the Americas Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Finance, and the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Vietnam, held a symbolic ceremony to present 5,000 tons of rice as a gift from the Party, the Government and the People of Vietnam to the People of Cuba.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. La Van Thinh, Deputy Director General of the General Department of State Reserves, stated that during the visit of Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz to Vietnam in October 2022, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced a donation of 5,000 tons of rice to the people of Cuba as “a gift from the Party, the Government and the People of Vietnam to the People of Cuba.”

Based on the assignment from the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance, the General Department of State Reserves tasked the Hai Hung Regional State Reserve Department with releasing 5,000 tons of national reserve rice, arranging transportation and delivering the consignment to Cuba.

The Hai Hung Regional State Reserve Department completed all procedures related to the aid shipment, including cargo insurance, carrier selection, warehouse release, loading operations and transportation of the 5,000 tons of rice from the national reserve warehouses to Hai Phong Port and from Hai Phong Port to Mariel Port, Cuba.

The 5,000 tons of rice will be shipped in four batches. Each batch consists of 50 containers, equivalent to 1,250 tons of rice, transported from Hai Phong Port to Mariel Port, Cuba.

However, to export goods to international markets, most commodities—such as agricultural products including rice, coffee, cashew nuts, cassava chips and wheat; and wood-based items such as handicrafts, wooden pallets and timber products—must undergo fumigation and be issued a fumigation certificate. This prevents infestation of insects, mold and pests that may affect product quality, and is also required under national and international quarantine regulations.
Vietnam Fumigation Joint Stock Company (VFC) is currently the largest fumigation service provider in Vietnam, covering the fumigation of stored commodities and import–export cargo. As a member of the International Maritime Fumigation Organization (IMFO), VFC fully meets all fumigation requirements requested by customers.

During the preparation and cargo preservation process, the Northern Branch of Vietnam Fumigation Joint Stock Company (VFC-North) was assigned to carry out container lining, moisture-control placement and fumigation, contributing to safeguarding the quality of the donated rice consignments.

During the day, the planned 50 rice containers will be inspected and accepted at Hai Phong Port, and the entire aid shipment is expected to arrive at Cuba’s port in July 2023.