Expanding blue economy: An Giang’s path to international integration

An Giang is one of the provinces with vast maritime areas in the west, covering about 63,290 km², with a 200 km coastline and more than 140 islands, including Phu Quoc as a renowned tourism hub of the country. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, the province enjoys favorable conditions for trade with SEA nations, while also possessing abundant seafood resources, strong tourism potential, and rich renewable energy reserves. These are significant advantages for An Giang to position the marine economy as a pillar in its development strategy.

According to Mr. Le Huu Toan, Director of the An Giang Department of Agriculture and Environment, after more than five years of implementing Resolution 36-NQ/TW of the Central Government, the province’s marine economy has made major strides. The marine economy now accounts for up to 80% of the province’s GRDP, while per capita income in coastal and island areas is 1.25 times higher than the provincial average. We are restructuring the fisheries sector towards increasing aquaculture and reducing exploitation, with a strong focus on marine resource protection. Mr. Toan emphasized that this is a sustainable approach that both enhances value and aligns with marine ecological conservation.

One highlight is the model of raising cobia and grouper in sea cages at Kien Hai island. Many households have boldly invested in offshore cage farming with dozens of cages, yielding hundreds of tons annually, generating economic value many times higher than traditional fishing. These products serve not only domestic demand but also target exports, contributing significantly to the province’s marine economy.

Mr. Tran Van Thua, a cobia and grouper cage farmer at Kien Hai, An Giang, shared: In previous years, his family mainly relied on inshore fishing, with unstable income, high costs, and declining catches. Since being guided by the local agriculture sector to switch to cage aquaculture, he has invested in more than 10 cages for cobia and grouper. From the first harvest, his family earned nearly 20 tons of fish, generating over 400 million VND in profit after expenses. Currently, cage-farmed cobia and grouper enjoy high economic value and stable markets, with traders buying for distribution to neighboring provinces. According to Mr. Thua, this model not only lifted his family out of poverty but also created local jobs and helped reduce pressure on natural exploitation.

In the coming time, many cage-farming households in Kien Hai, Tho Chau, and Phu Quoc hope for continued government support in capital, technology, and export market expansion, enabling long-term investment.

Alongside aquaculture, marine and island tourism continues to affirm its role. In Phu Quoc alone, 274 tourism projects have been licensed with total registered capital of nearly 388.41 trillion VND. Tourism types, from resort, eco, marine sports, and cultural and festival tourism, are increasingly diverse, attracting over 42.5 million visitors from 2019 to 2024, including more than 2.5 million international arrivals.

Beyond aquaculture and tourism, maritime transport and renewable energy are also prioritized. Seaports such as Phu Quoc International Port and Nam Du deep-water port are effectively operational, meeting the demand for goods and passenger transport. The 220kV Kien Binh - Phu Quoc submarine cable has ensured stable electricity supply for the island and coastal communes, opening opportunities for processing industries and fisheries logistics.

However, according to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province’s marine economy still faces challenges: the pace of high-tech adoption in marine farming remains slow, some seaport investments are incomplete, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing persists, affecting efforts to remove the EU yellow card.

Mr. Ho Van Mung, Chairman of the An Giang People’s Committee, affirmed: Marine economic development must be embedded in an overall strategy, tied to national sovereignty protection, biodiversity conservation, and improved livelihoods. An Giang will steadfastly pursue an approach of both exploitation and conservation, ensuring the sea remains a driver of sustainable development.

In the coming phase, An Giang has set five main pillars for marine economic development. First, promoting high-tech aquaculture, expanding offshore farming models such as cobia, grouper, and lobster, and linking ecological aquaculture with experiential tourism. Second, developing high-quality marine and island tourism, diversifying products, connecting international routes, and building the brand 'Green Phu Quoc - Plastic-Free Tourism.'

Third, upgrading maritime and logistics infrastructure, forming modern service chains from seaports and fishing ports to processing and export. Fourth, boosting coastal industries, particularly seafood processing, shipbuilding, renewable energy, and supporting industries. Fifth, strengthening resource management and marine environmental protection, addressing climate change, developing mangrove forests, and safeguarding coasts and ecosystems.

With this strategy, An Giang aims to make the marine economy a major pillar, contributing to the province’s role as a key economic driver in the Mekong Delta. Mr. Ho Van Mung stressed further: The marine economy is not only a development spearhead but also a strategic mission linked to national sovereignty protection. The province will continue to mobilize all resources while encouraging people and enterprises to participate in marine economic development in a sustainable, effective, and long-term manner.