Genomic breakthroughs and value chain integration: Solution for conserving Vietnamese swiftlet’s nests

Status as the ‘capital’ and dual survival challenges

Speaking at the scientific workshop, “Protecting and Developing a Sustainable Swiftlet Population,” hosted by the Khanh Hoa Salanganes’ Nest Company, Mr. Trinh Minh Hoang, Deputy Minister of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, affirmed that Khanh Hoa is dubbed the "salanganes’ nest capital," the largest in Southeast Asia, possessing the most abundant natural island swiftlet population in the country.

Salanganes’ nests are not only a valuable specialty product but also the crystallization of a labor tradition, a cultural symbol, and a distinctive brand, contributing to protecting the ecosystem and the nation's maritime sovereignty.

He noted that the salanganes’ nest industry is developing robustly, becoming a high-value-added sector while simultaneously posing urgent demands for management, planning, science and technology, and sustainable development.

Although Vietnam’s salanganes’ nest industry has reached an annual output of about 270 tons of raw nests and has officially opened exports to the Chinese market, this development is facing serious hurdles.

Ms. Trinh Thi Hong Van, Chairwoman of the Board of Members of Khanh Hoa Salanganes’ Nest Company, pointed to challenges stemming from spontaneous development, a lack of comprehensive planning, and weak linkages throughout the value chain.

She argued that most swiftlet houses are built in residential areas, complicating quality control and product traceability efforts.

Environmental and biological impacts are also evident: climate change is altering foraging routes and threatening habitats, while the use of pesticides is reducing the insect supply, directly affecting the swiftlet population’s reproductive capacity.

Ms. Van also mentioned competition for food sources between farm-raised and island swiftlets, as well as the complicated situation of illegal swiftlet hunting, which affects nest yield, causes economic damage, and creates ecological imbalance.

Building a gene bank and applying big data

To address biological and environmental challenges, Dr. Nguyen Van Long, Director General of the Department of Science and Technology (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), proposed a comprehensive action strategy grounded in science and technology.

He affirmed that the edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) is a rare species, and conserving its genetic resources is a vital scientific mission. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is strongly applying modern science and technology in the conservation and sustainable development of the swiftlet population.

Especially in the era of genomics and climate change, research on phylogeny, gene convergence, and the ecological adaptability of the edible-nest swiftlet needs to be promoted. Sequencing and analyzing the genome will not only help identify the population's genetic structure but also provide the scientific basis for conserving purebred gene sources, restoring natural populations, and adapting to climate fluctuations.

A strategic goal proposed by Dr. Long is to establish a national gene bank for swiftlets, integrating biotechnology to propagate and restore natural populations, while also serving research on phylogeny and gene convergence.

In parallel, high-tech applications must modernize management and monitoring. Specifically, this involves using drones, AI cameras, and IoT sensors to monitor habitats and populations, while leveraging Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyze behavior and accurately forecast future swiftlet population dynamics.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment also proposed that state management agencies promptly complete the national legal framework, particularly by developing a national strategy for the conservation and sustainable development of Viet Nam’s swiftlet population.

Perfecting the value chain and the “Four no’s” mission

From a management and enterprise perspective, perfecting institutions and strengthening linkages are crucial factors for sustainable development.

Dr. Nguyen Van Long proposed promoting the “four-stakeholder” linkage (State - Scientists - Enterprises - Farmers) to form a synchronized salanganes’ nest value chain, from harvesting and processing to consumption. Concurrently, community awareness must be raised to prevent illegal hunting and habitat destruction thoroughly.

Regarding this issue, Ms. Trinh Thi Hong Van affirmed that Khanh Hoa Salanganes’ Nest Company views the protection of the swiftlet population as a core mission, the foundation for its existence and sustainable development.

However, for sustainable development, she argued that the State, businesses, scientists, and the community must collaborate. Leading enterprises like Khanh Hoa Salanganes’ Nest Company play a pivotal role in conservation, research, deep processing, product standardization, and spearheading the national value chain to affirm the position of the Vietnamese Salanganes’ Nest brand internationally.

She also put forth specific solutions to standardize State management, such as: strengthening oversight by issuing swiftlet house codes, building a national database and product traceability system; and strictly controlling the construction of swiftlet houses in residential areas to ensure biosafety.

Regarding the market, the Company committed to investing in deep-processing technology, diversifying its product line (functional foods, cosmetics) to increase value, building a national Brand identity system for “Vietnamese Salanganes’ Nests,” and expanding export markets.

Finally, Ms. Van emphasized the community's role in conserving natural habitats. She called on residents to strictly adhere to the “Four No’s”: No illegal hunting, No illegal trading, No illegal transportation, and No illegal consumption of swiftlets.

This synchronized collaboration, from strategic planning, science and technology, and state management to community awareness, is the key to Viet Nam’s salanganes’ nest industry achieving sustainable development and affirming its global position.

According to data from the Department of Animal Production and Health, as of October 2025, the country has 29,266 swiftlet houses, with an average growth rate of 6% per year during the 2021–2025 period; the swiftlet population has appeared in 23 out of 34 provinces and cities, with an estimated raw nest output of 234.6 tons. Khanh Hoa alone has 1,425 swiftlet houses, with an output of 14.1 tons, accounting for 6.02% of the national total.