Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked the finance ministry to release more than 6,930 tonnes of rice from the national reserves for nine provinces during this year's fallow period.

Poor ethnic minorities were supported with rice.

The central provinces of Quang Ngai and Quang Binh will receive more than 1,370 tonnes and more than 1,200 tonnes respectively.

The northern provinces of Ninh Binh and Ha Nam will receive 265 tonnes and more than 1,280 tonnes respectively, and the Kon Tum Central Highlands provinces will get more than 270 tonnes.

The central Quang Tri Province will have more than 660 tonnes, the northern mountainous Lai Chau Province will receive more than 840 tonnes, the southern Ninh Thuan Province will get more than 520 tonnes and the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai will receive more than 470 tonnes.

Dung asked provincial people's committees to receive the rice cargo and deliver it to local residents as per regulations.