![Jae C. Hong Workers scoop paddy rice into the mouth of a vacuum tube on a boat for processing at Hoang Minh Nhat, a rice export company in Can Tho, Vietnam, on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The Mekong Delta, where 90% of Vietnam's exported rice is farmed, is one of the world's regions most vulnerable to climate change. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/15cf53259bfd498b89b648f4243aabd7/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Workers scoop paddy rice into the mouth of a vacuum tube on a boat for processing at Hoang Minh Nhat, a rice export company in Can Tho, Vietnam, on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The Mekong Delta, where 90% of Vietnam's exported rice is farmed, is one of the world's regions most vulnerable to climate change. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong A large drone carrying fertilizer flies over Vo Van Van's rice fields in Long An province in southern Vietnam's Mekong Delta, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Using less water and using a drone to fertilize are new techniques that Van is trying and Vietnam hopes will help solve a paradox at the heart of growing rice: The finicky crop isn't just vulnerable to climate change but also contributes uniquely to it. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/1bdf2aadfe7f47bf87285c236260b6de/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
A large drone carrying fertilizer flies over Vo Van Van's rice fields in Long An province in southern Vietnam's Mekong Delta, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Using less water and using a drone to fertilize are new techniques that Van is trying and Vietnam hopes will help solve a paradox at the heart of growing rice: The finicky crop isn't just vulnerable to climate change but also contributes uniquely to it. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong Restaurant owner Hien Ky prepares fried rice in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. Vietnam is the world's third largest rice exporter, and the staple importance to Vietnamese culture is palpable in the Mekong Delta. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/810b867d1b9b4339b7bda773bd5da742/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Restaurant owner Hien Ky prepares fried rice in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. Vietnam is the world's third largest rice exporter, and the staple importance to Vietnamese culture is palpable in the Mekong Delta. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong A farmer sprays fertilizer onto the rice fields in Long An province in southern Vietnam's Mekong Delta, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Using less water and using a drone to fertilize are new techniques that Van is trying and Vietnam hopes will help solve a paradox at the heart of growing rice: The finicky crop isn't just vulnerable to climate change but also contributes uniquely to it. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/6aa5dbbfba6f407e9c1b00a0a0b0ff44/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
A farmer sprays fertilizer onto the rice fields in Long An province in southern Vietnam's Mekong Delta, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Using less water and using a drone to fertilize are new techniques that Van is trying and Vietnam hopes will help solve a paradox at the heart of growing rice: The finicky crop isn't just vulnerable to climate change but also contributes uniquely to it. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong A group of people fills the sidewalk outside a restaurant as they share dishes made from rice in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. Vietnam is the world's third largest rice exporter, and the staple importance to Vietnamese culture is palpable in the Mekong Delta. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/7b04c93bede24ce586ffb98c111b8223/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
A group of people fills the sidewalk outside a restaurant as they share dishes made from rice in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. Vietnam is the world's third largest rice exporter, and the staple importance to Vietnamese culture is palpable in the Mekong Delta. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong Incense, placed in a cup of rice, burns on an altar outside a restaurant to seek prosperity in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. Rice isn't just the mainstay of most meals, it is considered a gift from the gods and continues to be venerated. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/8444fd55f86d474f99ed1a72111e94c8/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Incense, placed in a cup of rice, burns on an altar outside a restaurant to seek prosperity in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. Rice isn't just the mainstay of most meals, it is considered a gift from the gods and continues to be venerated. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong A worker carries a bag of rice at a warehouse in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. Vietnam is the world's third largest rice exporter, and the staple importance to Vietnamese culture is palpable in the Mekong Delta. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/1ad749c5f90349acbe74af6179603364/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
A worker carries a bag of rice at a warehouse in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. Vietnam is the world's third largest rice exporter, and the staple importance to Vietnamese culture is palpable in the Mekong Delta. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong A rice shop employee hands a bag of rice to a customer sitting on a scooter in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Vietnam is the world's third largest rice exporter, and the staple importance to Vietnamese culture is palpable in the Mekong Delta. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/bbeb118019d6419caabbe6294249e7e7/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
A rice shop employee hands a bag of rice to a customer sitting on a scooter in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Vietnam is the world's third largest rice exporter, and the staple importance to Vietnamese culture is palpable in the Mekong Delta. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong A worker surveys Vo Van Van's rice fields after spraying fertilizer over the fields using a drone in Long An province in southern Vietnam's Mekong Delta, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Using less water and using a drone to fertilize are new techniques that Van is trying and Vietnam hopes will help solve a paradox at the heart of growing rice: The finicky crop isn't just vulnerable to climate change but also contributes uniquely to it. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/4c67252ea1f247e897f63ba88cfa9906/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
A worker surveys Vo Van Van's rice fields after spraying fertilizer over the fields using a drone in Long An province in southern Vietnam's Mekong Delta, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Using less water and using a drone to fertilize are new techniques that Van is trying and Vietnam hopes will help solve a paradox at the heart of growing rice: The finicky crop isn't just vulnerable to climate change but also contributes uniquely to it. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong Rice is processed at Hoang Minh Nhat, a rice export company in Can Tho, Vietnam, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The Mekong Delta, where 90% of Vietnam's exported rice is farmed, is one of the world's regions most vulnerable to climate change. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/c0960681fd33494792fc29c772547b93/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Rice is processed at Hoang Minh Nhat, a rice export company in Can Tho, Vietnam, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The Mekong Delta, where 90% of Vietnam's exported rice is farmed, is one of the world's regions most vulnerable to climate change. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong Two employees work in a warehouse packed with bags of rice packaged for shipment at Hoang Minh Nhat, a rice export company in Can Tho, Vietnam, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The Mekong Delta, where 90% of Vietnam's exported rice is farmed, is one of the world's regions most vulnerable to climate change. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/cff99c37fe4142a3ad205752c8487d93/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Two employees work in a warehouse packed with bags of rice packaged for shipment at Hoang Minh Nhat, a rice export company in Can Tho, Vietnam, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The Mekong Delta, where 90% of Vietnam's exported rice is farmed, is one of the world's regions most vulnerable to climate change. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong A worker sweeps the floor beneath rice processors in a warehouse at Hoang Minh Nhat, a rice export company in Can Tho, Vietnam, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The Mekong Delta, where 90% of Vietnam's exported rice is farmed, is one of the world's regions most vulnerable to climate change. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/4d54b48ae5c14c3aba37430f8c8f48ca/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
A worker sweeps the floor beneath rice processors in a warehouse at Hoang Minh Nhat, a rice export company in Can Tho, Vietnam, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The Mekong Delta, where 90% of Vietnam's exported rice is farmed, is one of the world's regions most vulnerable to climate change. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong A woman sits on a scooter with a bag of rice purchased from a local market in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Vietnam is the world's third largest rice exporter, and the staple importance to Vietnamese culture is palpable in the Mekong Delta. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/49934a1b66474725a832a98832ba2072/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
A woman sits on a scooter with a bag of rice purchased from a local market in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Vietnam is the world's third largest rice exporter, and the staple importance to Vietnamese culture is palpable in the Mekong Delta. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong Rice shop owner Vo Tan Nha and his wife eat bowls of rice for lunch in their shop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. Rice isn't just the mainstay of most meals, it is considered a gift from the gods and continues to be venerated. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/f5fbb12196014b7eb6b0218d2d6ba590/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Rice shop owner Vo Tan Nha and his wife eat bowls of rice for lunch in their shop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. Rice isn't just the mainstay of most meals, it is considered a gift from the gods and continues to be venerated. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong A worker loads fertilizer into a tank attached to a large drone, preparing to spray it over Vo Van Van's rice fields in Long An province in southern Vietnam's Mekong Delta, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Using less water and using a drone to fertilize are new techniques that Van is trying and Vietnam hopes will help solve a paradox at the heart of growing rice: The finicky crop isn't just vulnerable to climate change but also contributes uniquely to it. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/ac16cff8641a49fca57268e6c8b774d3/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
A worker loads fertilizer into a tank attached to a large drone, preparing to spray it over Vo Van Van's rice fields in Long An province in southern Vietnam's Mekong Delta, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Using less water and using a drone to fertilize are new techniques that Van is trying and Vietnam hopes will help solve a paradox at the heart of growing rice: The finicky crop isn't just vulnerable to climate change but also contributes uniquely to it. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong A family eats dinner outside their shop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Rice isn't just the mainstay of most meals, it is considered a gift from the gods and continues to be venerated. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/bc5013f01c9e47f9929746e080d7d258/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
A family eats dinner outside their shop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Rice isn't just the mainstay of most meals, it is considered a gift from the gods and continues to be venerated. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong A restaurant worker sprinkles crushed pepper over a rice dish in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Rice isn't just the mainstay of most meals, it is considered a gift from the gods and continues to be venerated. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/516adc9a6138462cb31ddb524ee3d90e/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
A restaurant worker sprinkles crushed pepper over a rice dish in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Rice isn't just the mainstay of most meals, it is considered a gift from the gods and continues to be venerated. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Jae C. Hong A security guard walks across a warehouse packed with bags of rice packaged for shipment at Hoang Minh Nhat, a rice export company in Can Tho, Vietnam, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The Mekong Delta, where 90% of Vietnam's exported rice is farmed, is one of the world's regions most vulnerable to climate change. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/7c3db58e304f43498d5f39bf9292c593/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
A security guard walks across a warehouse packed with bags of rice packaged for shipment at Hoang Minh Nhat, a rice export company in Can Tho, Vietnam, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The Mekong Delta, where 90% of Vietnam's exported rice is farmed, is one of the world's regions most vulnerable to climate change. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)