Ha Tinh expands mollusk farming

Tapping into natural advantages

In recent years, alongside traditional clam farming, many coastal localities in Ha Tinh have proactively capitalized on natural advantages such as extensive tidal flats, good water circulation, and waters rich in alluvium and plankton to expand the farming of high-value mollusks such as oysters and mussels.

In Thach Khe commune, where aquaculture areas have been methodically planned, many households have boldly invested in large-scale oyster rafts and adopted a suspended-rope farming method to make use of naturally available food sources in the water.

A pioneer in this field is Mr. Hoang Van Dao in Dinh Hoe village. In 2025, after visiting several Northern provinces to learn from their experience, Mr. Dao invested in nearly 15 oyster farming rafts on an area of more than 1 ha in the Cua Sot River area. According to him, although the initial investment cost is relatively high, the farming process is not overly complicated and does not require industrial feed, significantly reducing production costs.

"We have developed and strictly followed the technical procedures, selected suitable seed, and made good use of natural conditions. As a result, our family can harvest and sell tens of tons of commercial oysters each crop, with very promising initial economic efficiency," Mr. Dao said.

Also boldly shifting toward estuarine oyster farming, Mr. Truong Van Tao in Dinh Hoe village said after visiting an oyster farming model in the former Cam Xuyen district in 2025, he decided to invest VND 700 million in a system of bamboo stakes, suspended ropes, and oyster seeds.

According to Mr. Tao, the most attractive aspect of this occupation is that there is no need to purchase feed for the oysters. Over the 11-12-month farming cycle, the oysters grow by feeding on natural plankton carried by the tides. At harvest time, traders purchase each oyster rope that meets quality standards for around VND 250,000.

"Oyster farming mainly relies on natural food sources, so the costs incurred during the care stage are much lower than those of other aquaculture models. Moreover, oysters have better resistance to disease than other mollusk species currently farmed in Ha Tinh, making them highly suitable for replication," Mr. Tao emphasized.

His family currently farms two oyster varieties. These varieties include Pacific oysters imported from Ninh Binh, which reach a large commercial size and are sold in the shell, commanding a higher value; and a local oyster variety propagated by local farmers, which is smaller but well adapted to natural conditions, has firm meat, and is favored by the market.

Not only in Thach Khe, but mollusk farming is also developing strongly in the Loc Ha commune. After years of fishing at sea, Mr. Tran Van Phuc has shifted his investment toward farming green mussels. This species is well suited to coastal waters because it does not require industrial feed and can fully utilize natural nutrients.

By strictly following technical procedures, from seed nursing to farming-area management, Mr. Phuc's family can harvest more than 4 tons of commercial mussels per crop, generating profits of over VND 100 million.

According to Mr. Phuc, besides their economic efficiency, mollusks also play an important role in improving water quality. Their natural filtration process helps absorb suspended organic matter, contributing to pollution reduction while creating habitats for other aquatic species.

Long-term development requires compliance with planning

Ha Tinh currently has more than 420 ha of mollusk farming, accounting for over 15% of the province's total marine and brackish-water aquaculture area. In addition to clams, localities such as Loc Ha and Thach Khe communes, as well as Hai Ninh and Tran Phu wards, are gradually expanding oyster, mussel, and sweet snail farming to increase production value and diversify farming species.

However, despite these positive results, mollusk farming still faces considerable challenges. In some areas, spontaneous farming persists, with farmers failing to comply with zoning plans, while the stocking density remains high. Management techniques also remain inconsistent, increasing the risk of environmental pollution and disease outbreaks.

Additionally, the impacts of climate change are causing abnormal fluctuations in salinity, temperature, and water quality, directly affecting the growth rate and survival rates of farming species. Linkages between producers and purchasing enterprises remain limited, while product outputs are not yet truly stable, reducing the sector's competitiveness.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thinh, Head of the Economic Division of Thach Khe Commune, said that the prerequisite for sustainable mollusk farming is synchronous and methodical planning. During the expansion process, farmers need to concentrate their production, stock seed only after receiving the permits, and step up the application of science and technology as well as advanced technologies to improve production efficiency.

"We are focusing on reviewing and completing aquaculture zoning plans, ensuring safe water flows, strengthening control over unauthorized farming sites, and encouraging local residents to adopt modern production processes," Mr. Thinh said.

The authorities of Loc Ha commune, Hai Ninh ward, and Tran Phu ward have also been coordinating with functional agencies to review all areas eligible for aquaculture and incorporate them into the zoning plans, while resolutely handling spontaneous farming activities that affect the environment and waterway traffic.

When farming-area planning is implemented in a synchronous manner, production techniques are standardized, and consumer markets are closely connected, mollusk farming will not only provide stable livelihoods for coastal residents in Ha Tinh but also contribute to protecting the ecological environment, paving the way for green, efficient, and sustainable aquaculture development.

$1 = VND 26,260 - Source: Vietcombank