Ho Chi Minh City’s ornamental fish sector rakes in nearly USD 15 million annually

Long considered the cradle of ornamental fish farming and trading in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City has seen the sector evolve from an elegant pastime into a robust commodity production industry. Today, it contributes significantly to the economic value of the city's urban agriculture.

According to Dinh Cong Khanh, head of the Aquaculture Management Division at the Ho Chi Minh City Sub-Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, the city is home to nearly 300 production facilities and households. These operations are primarily concentrated in the Cu Chi and Binh Chanh districts. The sector currently exports an average of 15 million fish annually, generating a turnover of approximately USD 15 million.

"The total area dedicated to ornamental fish farming in Ho Chi Minh City currently spans about 90 hectares, utilizing diverse methods ranging from glass and cement tanks to traditional earthen ponds," Khanh explained. He noted that the city produces over 100 million fish each year, with high-value varieties such as Discus, Koi, Angelfish, Neon Tetras, and Guppies enjoying strong demand not only domestically but also in numerous international markets.

In the first 10 months of 2025, Ho Chi Minh City exported 11.39 million ornamental fish, achieving an export turnover of USD 12.89 million - a rise of over 7% compared to the same period last year. The export market has expanded to include more than 50 countries, with Europe absorbing over two-thirds of the total volume. Key enterprises driving the brand’s global reach include the Saigon Aquarium Corporation, Thien Duc Company, Saigon Ornamental Fish Cooperative, Asia-Pacific Ornamental Creature Cooperative, Saigon Vina Ornamental Fish Cooperative, and Hong Anh Arowana Company.

Hoang Thi Hue, a representative of the Saigon Ornamental Creature Cooperative, a leading exporter in the city, highlighted the dominance of the European market, which accounts for approximately 60% of their exports. She emphasized that increasing demands for species diversity and technical standards are compelling facilities to invest heavily in water filtration systems, disease prevention protocols, rearing processes, and specifically, selective breeding.

Beyond production, the sector is bolstered by robust promotional and professional exchange activities. Tan Xuyen, head of the Ho Chi Minh City Ornamental Fish Association, stated that the organization coordinates annually with the Department of Agriculture and Environment and other entities to host large-scale competitions. These events attract hundreds of artisans from Vietnam and abroad, serving not merely as a stage to honor craftsmanship but also as a vital opportunity for networking and trade promotion to introduce the city’s fish to regional and international markets.

Despite its significant potential, the sector faces hurdles. Ngo Dang Linh, Director of the Saigon Vina Ornamental Fish Cooperative, pointed out that certain import markets enforce rigorous requirements regarding quarantine documentation and origin traceability. Linh explained that without full quarantine certification meeting international standards, businesses are forced to route shipments through a third country. This workaround increases costs, thereby reducing competitiveness and profit margins for farmers. Consequently, export volumes have not yet surged to their full capacity, even amidst substantial market demand. Many businesses and cooperatives are currently expanding their scale and species variety while seeking new markets to develop the industry in line with its potential.

The city’s fisheries development strategy through 2030 identifies ornamental fish as a pillar of its specific urban economy. The Ho Chi Minh City Sub-Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance has proposed various measures to stimulate production and exports. Khanh revealed that the city aims to develop the sector toward high-tech, sustainable practices linked with eco-tourism. The goal is to establish concentrated farming zones covering approximately 100 hectares, producing 300 million fish annually. Of this output, the city expects to export over 100 million fish, targeting a turnover exceeding USD 100 million.

Having evolved into a signature export product, ornamental fish now provide a stable source of foreign currency and employment for thousands of workers. Ho Chi Minh City is actively shaping the industry as a key link in its unique urban economic chain, blending high-tech production with creativity and eco-tourism. The ultimate objective is to not only lead the nation in scale but to firmly establish the Vietnamese ornamental fish brand on the global export map.

*USD 1 = VND 26.334 (Vietcombank, December 16, 2025)