Vietnam, the world’s second-largest rice exporter, has accumulated 45 percent of a targeted 1 million ton stockpile in a bid to prevent local prices from slumping at harvest time, the Vietnam Food Association said.

 The Central Highland province of Dak Lak came alive last Saturday with the spectacular opening ceremony of the biennial Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival that drew the participation of more than 500 performers and artisans and was broadcast live to an estimated 20,000 viewers nationwide.