Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam, in partnership with agri-tech company Rize Vietnam and global innovation studio Ben & Archie, has launched a new sustainable rice farming project in Ben Luc Commune, Tay Ninh Province. Operating under the innovative EkoClimate concept, the project is part of the broader EkoCenter strategy, Coca-Cola’s flagship community engagement initiative, and underscores the company’s long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability and community development in Vietnam.
The EkoClimate initiative aims to support 42 smallholder rice farmers in transitioning to Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) techniques across 50 hectares of farmland in the upcoming rice season (May–August 2025). AWD is a proven water-saving method that reduces methane emissions by allowing rice fields to dry intermittently, as opposed to keeping them continuously flooded. To further enhance these outcomes, the project will implement both AWD and Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) techniques in rice production, to ensure food safety by setting pesticide limits while helping farmers reduce costs by 20-30% per season, reducing waste and preserving crop quality. This climate-smart approach not only minimizes greenhouse gas emissions but also increases farmer income through lower production cost and sells rice at premium-price.
To complement on-the-ground implementation, the program also includes a Community Engagement Workshop designed for participating farmers and their families. The workshop serves as a platform for raising awareness about sustainable agriculture, collecting feedback from the community, and co-developing localized climate resilience solutions.
In addition to the practical benefits for farmers, the project contributes to Vietnam’s growing momentum in developing low-emission rice as a strategic crop for the future. As the Mekong Delta grapples with rising sea levels, soil salinity, and increasingly erratic weather patterns, shifting to sustainable models can play a pivotal role not only in national food security, but also in supporting climate action across the entire Mekong region.
Mr. Bui Khanh Nguyen, Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability at Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam, shared: “As Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam’s new Tay Ninh plant enters full operation, we are proud not only to create employment opportunities for the local workforce, but also to continue delivering positive, lasting impact to the communities around us. This new initiative is an exciting expansion of our EkoCenter network. Through EkoClimate, we’re further extending our sustainability efforts to tackle climate challenges and empower local communities.”
The program brings together strong expertise from both local and international partners.
Rize Vietnam, a Singapore-based agri-tech company with operational entities in Vietnam and Indonesia, plays a pivotal role in providing farmers with hands-on agronomic support and advisory services. Their mission centers around enabling sustainable farming while improving farmer livelihoods and climate resilience.
Meanwhile, Ben & Archie, a consulting and creative firm dedicated to driving sustainable innovation across Southeast Asia. It works with startups, corporates, and public institutions to design open innovation programs, deliver strategic advisory, and create high-impact design solutions. By bridging sectors and ecosystems, Ben & Archie transforms bold ideas into scalable and responsible ventures. Their mission is to accelerate innovation that is locally rooted, globally relevant, and built for the future.
Together, Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam, Rize, and Ben & Archie aim to pilot a replicable model for low-emission, climate-resilient rice farming—one that can be scaled to benefit more communities across the Mekong Delta and beyond.
“Rice farmers are the stewards of one of the world’s most important crops — yet they are both contributors to and victims of climate change. Supporting them is essential to securing a more sustainable and resilient food system.” said Siem Schreurs, Head of Partnership at Rize.
EkoClimate is the latest innovation within Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam’s EkoCenter program, which has operated in Vietnam since 2015. Originally launched as hubs to provide underserved communities with access to clean drinking water, digital education, and entrepreneurial training, EkoCenters have since expanded their role in supporting sustainable development. Flagship EkoCenters currently operate in Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City, and now with Tay Ninh, Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam is bringing new focus to climate action and sustainable agriculture in the Mekong Delta.
This transformation of the EkoCenter model highlights Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam’s long-term vision to create shared value by addressing local needs and contributing to national development priorities. Whether by empowering women, supporting informal waste collectors, enhancing access to safe drinking water, or now enabling sustainable rice farming, Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam continues to place communities at the heart of its business strategy.
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About Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam Ltd. (Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam)
Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam operates plants in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi, creating approximately 4,000 direct jobs and indirectly generating employment six to eight times that amount through its supply chain activities. Aiming to be a comprehensive, consumer-focused beverage company, Coca-Cola continuously enhances and offers a variety of high-quality beverages, including low-sugar and sugar-free product lines, while diversifying designs and increasing business coverage across Vietnam. Coca-Cola’s brands in Vietnam include COCA-COLA, COCA-COLA LIGHT, COCA-COLA ZERO SUGAR, SPRITE, FANTA, NUTRIBOOST, MINUTE MAID SPLASH, MINUTE MAID TEPPY, SCHWEPPES, DASANI, AND AQUARIUS, AS WELL AS FUZETEA+ BOTTLED TEA, GEORGIA CANNED COFFEE, MONSTER, AND THUMPS UP CHARGED.
Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam is a member of the Swire Coca-Cola Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Swire Pacific Limited, since the completion of the merger in January 2023.
About the EkoCenter initiative
EkoCenter is an initiative launched by Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam in 2015, based on a triangle collaboration model involving businesses, local governments, and non-governmental organizations. This model aims to empower communities and foster sustainable economic activities.
As of now, the project operates 8 centers across Vietnam, managed by Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam and its partners. These centers have driven positive changes in local communities and implemented initiatives tailored to the specific needs of each region. Key examples include:
- EkoArt Hanoi – Empowering Women in the Digital Age: Established in 2016, the Hanoi EkoCenter has been a vital resource for women in the community. It has provided opportunities for economic empowerment through innovative programs, such as kiosk-based sales models at the center, vocational training, economic skill enhancement classes, and e-commerce training for women.
- EkoCircular Da Nang – Enhancing Welfare for Informal Waste Collectors: Since early 2024, the Da Nang EkoCenter has collaborated with the Waste Collector Network (a community supported by the ReForm Plastic social enterprise) to introduce initiatives aimed at improving the lives of informal waste collectors in Da Nang, aiming to raise awareness of the critical role these individuals play in society.
- EkoSchool Ho Chi Minh City – Open up Learning for Disadvantaged Children: Beginning in the summer of 2024, Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam, in partnership with the People’s Committee of Linh Trung Ward in Thu Duc City and the Green Connect social enterprise, launched the STEAM Summer Experience Program 2024. This free program for disadvantaged students offers a supportive environment for learning and skill development in science, technology, mathematics, programming, engineering, and arts.
- EkoClimate Tay Ninh – Contributing to Climate Change Adaptation Locally and Regionally: As the newest center, established in January 2025, the Tay Ninh EkoCenter has the capacity to provide up to 6,000 liters of clean drinking water daily. It also serves as a hub for Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam and its partners to support community resilience, particularly in addressing climate change challenges in Tay Ninh and the broader Mekong Delta region.
Through these centers, Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam continues to deliver essential infrastructure and services, aligned with local needs, while advancing sustainability and community support initiatives nationwide.
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