Tran Trong Chien, a long-time consultant with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), was inducted into the U.S.-Vietnam Agricultural Hall of Fame on Sept. 22 at a formal luncheon and awards ceremony. The event was part of Agricultural Month in Vietnam, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the normalization of U.S.-Vietnam trade relations.
Benjamin Petlock, senior agricultural attaché in the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, initiated the hall of fame as a way for the U.S. mission to recognize local partners who have made significant contributions to increase U.S. agricultural exports to Vietnam.
Chien has worked with the Council and the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) since 1996, supporting growth in U.S. exports of corn, soybeans, soybean meal, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), ethanol and other products into the Vietnamese market. The Council recognized Chien for his years of service during a joint officers mission with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) in January 2020.
The Council established a representative office in Vietnam in 1996. Since that time, it has focused technical programs on helping livestock producers and feed millers use U.S. feed grains effectively and manage their operations efficiently. Trade servicing efforts have focused on helping current and potential customers gain familiarity with U.S. marketing systems, including grain quality and price. Chien has been the key person on the ground executing these programs.
About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.