Vietnam pivots to green aquaculture to draw global seafood buyers
Green transition across the seafood supply chain, from farming to processing and distribution, has become a global imperative, said To Thi Tuong Lan, Deputy Secretary-General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
An industrial-scale aquaculture model on Van Phong bay, Khanh Hoa province. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA)💧 - As Vietnam intensifies its shift toward a sustainable economy, its aquaculture industry is emerging as a key player, with a focus on cutting environmental damage while cashing in on the world’s growing appetite for responsibly sourced seafood.
Green transition across the seafood supply chain, from farming to processing and distribution, has become a global imperative, said To Thi Tuong Lan, Deputy Secretary-General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
With global markets demanding stricter environmental rules and low-emission standards, Vietnamese exporters need to provide transparent product traceability, unified green certifications, and a clear roadmap. If not, they will risk being shut out of lucrative markets, she added.
On the tech side, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Van Nha, Director of the Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 3, noted Vietnam’s strengths in marine species, including crustaceans, molluscs, echinoderms, and marine fish. His institute is supplying quality breeding stock to breeders, doubling down on research into high-demand species like babylon snails, oysters, pearl oysters, abalone, barramundi, grouper, lobster, blue swimming crab, mantis shrimp, and sea cucumber to fuel the industry’s growth.
To capitalise on this potential, the Prime Minister has approved a marine aquaculture development scheme through 2030, with a vision to 2045. The plan targets 300,000 hectares of marine farming by 2030, producing 1.4 million tonnes of aquatic products annually and generating up to 1.8-2 billion USD in annual export revenue.
A hi-tech aquaculture model in Khanh Hoa province. (Photo: VNA)
The scheme pivots toward using advanced technology and modern management to improve industrial-scale offshore operations. The goal is to leverage Vietnam’s long coastline, which a recent World Bank survey identified as ideal for farming high-value export species like cobia, snapper, and lobster.
It also calls for integrating resources from established oil and gas, shipbuilding, and maritime transport industries to create a sustainable, high-value marine economy./.
The partnership builds on prior collaboration, with UOB Vietnam previously funding NAVICO’s installation of rooftop solar power systems at its aquaculture facilities.
The UK's University of Stirling has announced a 3.5 million GBP (4.55 million USD) initiative named AquaSoS to develop digital tools to support sustainable aquaculture in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, according to the British Embassy in Vietnam.
The project's primary goal is to enhance the offshore aquaculture in Khanh Hoa province by improving productivity, adding value to the sector, and raising the income of local fish farmers and other stakeholders.
All businesses are eligible to participate in the programme without undergoing any selection or review process. Enterprises can independently launch promotional campaigns with diverse and appealing content for customers and are allowed to apply maximum discounts of up to 100%.
Singapore’s United Overseas Bank (UOB) has boosted its 2025 GDP growth forecast for Vietnam to 7.5% from 6.9%, pointing to the economy’s resilience and dynamism despite tariff risks and uncertainties.
Spanning 8.4ha of gross floor area and rising to 30m, the package requires advanced steel–concrete solutions, synchronised execution and accelerated progress within 330 days.
Through this partnership, VinFast Philippines, a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC, one of Vietnam's largest conglomerates, will leverage on BDO's comprehensive suite of financial solutions including cash management, consumer banking, leasing, and insurance services and create tailored financing programmes for both retail and corporate customers.
Under the new system, passengers without checked luggage simply check in via VNeID or a kiosk, undergo facial recognition at security, and board by scanning their face. Those with baggage drop it at a counter before entering the same automated flow.
Vietnam values its international partnerships, including with the UK, Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang noted, urging UK companies, funds and financial institutions, and those from Europe and worldwide, to continue expanding investment, transferring know-how, sharing management experience and advancing green finance and technology to realise Vietnam’s sustainable development vision.
Vietnamese Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang expressed gratitude for the UK’s active role in supporting Vietnam’s efforts to draft a National Assembly resolution on creating an international financial centre. The City of London, he noted, provided pivotal insights and recommendations to shape the groundwork and development roadmap for this hub.
Vietnam is ready to deepen economic cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China and other partners, embracing a strategy of “harmonised interests and shared risks” as it leverages its fast-growing economy and market of over 100 million people.
Tay Ninh, Nghe An and Quang Tri provinces have strategic locations and significant cooperation potential, said Nguyen Thi Thai Binh, Minister-Counsellor at the Vietnamese Embassy, expressing confidence that with creativity and determination, these provinces and their Korean partners will find ample opportunities for productive collaboration.
Jointly organised by the Vinexad National Trade Fair and Advertising JSC and Yorkers Exhibition Service Vietnam, the event features 1,200 booths of more than 650 exhibitors from 20 countries and territories, including Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, and the US.
Public investment should serve as a key driver of growth, acting as seed capital to catalyse and mobilise all social resources, thereby fostering economic expansion, creating jobs and livelihoods, and improving the material and spiritual well-being of the people, PM Pham Minh Chinh stated.
An official of the Foreign Trade Agency laid stress on the foundational role of rules of origin in international trade, highlighting the importance of capacity building for enforcement officers in the context of deep international integration.
Against the backdrop of the growing comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia, the promotion and export of Vietnam’s agricultural products not only diversify supply sources for the Russian market but also help enhance the brand values and competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises in the market that remains untapped.
International trade is no longer merely an exchange of goods but a strategic lever enabling Vietnamese enterprises to enhance capacity, secure partnerships, and expand globally.
In the first eight months of 2025, Vietnam’s total trade value reached nearly 600 billion USD, up 16.3% year on year. Of this, exports stood at 306 billion USD, a 14.8% increase, already surpassing the full-year target.
Vietnam aims to maintain macroeconomic stability, control inflation below the target, achieve growth of 8.3-8.5%, ensure major economic balances, surpass budget revenue estimates by 25%, and control public debt, government debt, foreign debt, and budget deficit.
Reaffirming Vietnam’s commitment to foreign investors, Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang said government policies always aim to ensure transparency, fairness and a mutually beneficial environment that promotes innovation and safeguards investor rights, making Vietnam a sustainable and long-term investment destination.
The State Bank of Vietnam must launch an official gold price information portal, study the establishment of gold exchanges, and issue guiding documents to implement the Government’s decree on the management of gold trading activities.
According to the World Bank Group, Vietnam will need approximately 368 billion USD in investment for climate adaptation and carbon reduction projects by 2040. Yet, as of the end of 2024, green credit accounted for just 4.5% of the country’s total outstanding loans.
