ASSET - ‘policy laboratory' for agroecology of Viet Nam and ASEAN

At the closing workshop of the project Agroecological and Safe Food System Transitions (ASSET) on October 21, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao The Anh, Chairman of the Viet Nam Rural Development Science Association (PHANO) and former Vice Director of the Viet Nam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS), said that Viet Nam is shifting its agricultural mindset from “increasing output” to “enhancing value and sustainability.” Agroecology, he noted, has become an inevitable direction, one that restores soil health, reduces emissions, and raises farmers’ incomes.

Since 2018, a series of policies have been introduced to support this transition, such as Decree 109 on organic agriculture, schemes promoting biological plant protection products, circular economy in agriculture, and soil health strategies. Most recently, the National Action Plan for Sustainable Food Systems to 2030 (Decision No. 300/QD-TTg) identified agroecology as a central pillar of Viet Nam’s agricultural transformation.

According to Dr. Dao, for policies to work in practice, cooperation among all stakeholders, government, scientists, businesses, and farmers is crucial. This multi-actor approach has been demonstrated through ASSET, where interdisciplinary working groups developed solutions around four key themes: nutrition and food diversity, loss reduction, agroecological development, and responsible consumption.

From field implementation in Son La, Dien Bien, Thai Binh, and Ben Tre provinces, ASSET showed that agroecology can take many adaptable forms: organic farming to reduce chemical inputs, regenerative agriculture for soil cover and moisture retention, rice-shrimp models in coastal areas, or ecological livestock systems that recycle waste into fertiliser and energy. “What matters most,” Dr. Dao said, “is that every locality finds its own path, while upholding the principle of respecting nature and linking farmers’ livelihoods with environmental protection.”

However, scaling up remains challenging. Current models are fragmented and lack unified statistical criteria; ecological zone databases and mapping are incomplete; green finance and agricultural insurance mechanisms are still limited; and communication on agroecology’s benefits has not yet gained sufficient traction. “In many places, this is still treated as a movement, when it should be viewed as a long-term development strategy,” he stressed.

Dr. Nguyen Mai Huong from the Institute of Strategy and Policy for Agriculture and Environment (ISPAE) said that agroecological transformation is not merely a technical issue but a matter of policy choice. Viet Nam has emerged as a leading contributor to the ASEAN Policy Guidance on Agroecological Transitions, with lessons from ASSET’s pilot sites in Son La and Dien Bien informing the regional consultation and framework-building process.

She added that the project’s research results also helped establish the Technical Working Group on Agroecology under Viet Nam’s National Action Plan for Sustainable Food Systems (NAP-FST). “Intersectoral governance and multi-level dialogue, from farmers to ASEAN-are the keys to connecting practice with policymaking,” Dr. Huong emphasised.

Viet Nam’s experience in linking agricultural production with tourism, developing territorial brands, and digitising agricultural trade is now serving as a reference point for other countries. The nation is considered a “policy laboratory” for ASEAN, where innovations in ecological models, green finance, and risk management are first tested before being replicated elsewhere.

In the coming period, Viet Nam will focus on two main directions: strengthening the policy framework and developing the market. Institutionally, the country aims to adopt a national strategy on agroecology, set measurable targets, and increase investment in research and training. At the market level, diversification of products and integration of agroecology with tourism, regional branding, and green credit will be prioritised.

According to Dr. Dao The Anh, the essence of agroecological transformation lies not only in cultivation techniques but in the spirit of collaboration. “We need a stronger multi-stakeholder coordination mechanism, where farmers, scientists, and businesses come together to shape the future of Viet Nam’s green agriculture,” he said.

ASSET (Agroecological and Safe Food System Transitions) is an international collaboration led by VAAS in partnership with GRET, CIRAD, and ASEAN counterparts since 2020. The project promotes the transition to agroecological and safe food systems through on-farm models, institutional innovation, and multi-level policy linkages.

Drawing from research and practice in Son La, Dien Bien, and other provinces, Vietnam contributed directly to drafting the ASEAN Agroecology Policy Guidance (2024), which outlines seven strategic levers for action:

- Planning agroecological transitions

- Working with farmers

- Promoting transitions along agri-food value chains

- Building capacity and sharing knowledge

- Multi-stakeholder engagement

Developing research programs

- Financing agroecological transitions