Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector: Notable Achievements and Future Development Directions
Introduction: During the recent Party Congress of the Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance on June 27, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien highlighted the pivotal role of science and technology in shaping Vietnam’s fisheries sector. He called for the industry to adapt and innovate in response to real-world challenges, emphasizing advancements across various facets including production, breeding, feed, mechanisms, and infrastructure.
Current Achievements in Fisheries
As reported, the total aquatic production in Vietnam reached an impressive 9.7 million tons in 2024, with export turnover exceeding USD 10 billion. This remarkable achievement positions Vietnam among the top three seafood exporters globally. It’s noteworthy that approximately 30% of the sector’s added value can be attributed to technological advancements. Key breeding species such as disease-resistant pangasius, white leg shrimp, and golden pompano have been successfully developed.
Innovations for Sustainable Development
To ensure sustainable development, the industry has begun integrating new technologies including digital traceability, water treatment solutions, disease warning systems, and digital ecosystems. These innovations lay a strong foundation for the future of Vietnamese fisheries.
Marine Aquaculture Growth
Marine aquaculture, categorized as one of the three strategic pillars of the fisheries sector, saw significant growth with production reaching 832,000 tons in 2024. This marks an impressive increase of nearly 39% since 2020, alleviating pressure on wild capture fisheries while simultaneously improving the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Efforts Against Illegal Fishing
Strides made in combatting Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing have shown promise, with the number of vessels violating regulations decreasing drastically—from 258 in 2016 to just 14 in the first half of 2025. In 2024 alone, fines for violations surpassed VND 10 billion, reflecting Vietnam’s commitment to addressing the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning.
Future Development Plans (2026-2030)
Looking ahead, the sector aims to tackle existing challenges in breeding, feed supplies, and infrastructure development. For the shrimp industry—one of the key export sectors—the continued reliance on imported 260,000 broodstock pairs annually highlights a significant dependency. Furthermore, many farming regions are still burdened by inadequate electricity and drainage systems. Plans are in place to develop independent economic sectors for species like pangasius, tilapia, seaweed, and algae.
Focus on Ecological Farming and Technology Integration
There is a strong emphasis on scaling up ecological and organic farming models, while also integrating advanced technologies such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and blockchain throughout the production chain.
Policy Improvement for Global Competitiveness
Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien underscored the importance of continuously improving the legal framework, incorporating green economy principles and emission reduction targets, and establishing traceable value chains to enhance Vietnam’s competitiveness in the global market.
