Ireland-Viet Nam Agri-food Partnership: Growing together for a sustainable future

Vietnam and Ireland are two nations with deep agricultural roots. Though half a world apart, both share the same passion: producing safe, sustainable food for people and the planet. 

Ireland is a world leader in sustainable food systems, innovation, and co-operative models, while Vietnam is a dynamic, tropical food supplier with vast potential and determination to transform 

The two countries are building a new model of North-South partnership, one that advances global food systems transformation to sustainably feed the world today and the future and leave no one behind.

Ireland–Vietnam Agri-food Partnership: Growing Together for a Sustainable Future

In March 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Ireland’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland (DAFM) and Vietnam’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (now Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), affirming their shared commitment to bilateral cooperation for sustainable growth together in agri-food sector.

Interview: Dr. HOANG TRUNG, Deputy Minister, MAE:

Proposed answer: “Agriculture contributes just under 12% to Vietnam’s GDP, but its importance goes far beyond numbers. It plays a foundational role in our country’s development. Food security has always been a top priority in both our Government’s and Party’s policies. But for us, agriculture is more than just a sector — it’s our home, our livelihood, the air we breathe, and the land we grow up on. Transforming our food systems is not just a policy direction, but a strategic commitment. It’s about ensuring not only food security, but also safeguarding our way of life and our cultural heritage”.

Funded by Irish Aid through the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam, the Ireland–Vietnam Agri-food Partnership, or IVAP, was created to unlock the partnership potential that advances resilient and inclusive production, market and governance systems across the agrifood industry. 

IVAP is managed by Sustainable Food Systems Ireland, a consortium of five Irish Government organisations, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, IVAP engages leading organizations, research institutes, the private sector and government agencies from both countries to foster innovative research and development collaboration for advancing capacity and technology adaptation focusing on three key pillars:

• Food Systems Transformation Governance and Policy
• Food Safety and Sustainability
• Innovations and Cooperative Development

Since its launch, IVAP has achieved remarkable milestones. 

As direct support for capacity development and governance of the Food Systems Transformation Partnership, the programme has

• Assisted the Government of Vietnam in the development of a food systems transformation monitoring & evaluation framework and a baseline study is being followed
• Funded regular and demand-based support for the coordination and deployment of the National Food Systems Transformation Partnership and its technical working groups with a combination of high international and national expertise. 
• As one of the signatories to the Vietnam’s National Food Systems Transformation Partnership Irish Embassy and SFSI have been going side by side with MAE, together with other partners. All IVAP activities contribute directly to the deployment of the national food systems transformation strategy and its action plan.

Interview: Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director-General of International Cooperation Department, MAE, Director of Food Systems Transformation Secretariat:

Answer suggestion: “Agri-food is a complex and interconnected system that involves multiple stakeholders across various sectors. To effectively manage and transform this system, a robust monitoring and evaluation framework is essential. It enables us to benchmark progress, identify gaps, highlight opportunities for intervention, and support both strategic and timely decision-making. We greatly value the technical and human resource support provided by IVAP, which has been instrumental in strengthening the capacity of the Food Systems Transformation Partnership and Secretariat.”

At the technical level, the Programme has made significant contributions to advancing food safety, sustainability, capacity development, partnership building, and innovation. These include:

• A research project on zoonotic disease surveillance within the pork value chain across multiple countries.
• Biosecurity research, capacity development, and policy-informed support projects.
• Studies on food safety and capacity-building for food safety risk management systems.
• A food waste survey and policy-informed study on urban food systems in Hanoi.
• Annual postgraduate fellowships that support the next generation of food systems leaders in Vietnam.
• And a series of short training courses and study tours focused on food systems, sustainable livestock, and cooperative development.

Interview: Dr. NGUYEN VIET LONG - Lead of International Cooperation Department, VNUA

Proposed answer: “VNUA has had the privilege of sending three promising students to the University of Galway, one of Ireland’s most renowned educational institutions, where they successfully completed their Master’s programs. Looking ahead to 2026, we plan to send PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows. Through IVAP, we’re not only enhancing our human resource capabilities, but more importantly, we’re building strong global partnerships with leading Irish educational and research institutions, such as the University of Galway and University College Dublin (UCD). These partnerships will lay the foundation for future collaborations in training, research, and development.”

Looking ahead IVAP will expand its efforts to:

• Foster innovation ecosystems and support cooperative development as a driver for sustainable and inclusive transformation
• Intensify support for food systems transformation governance and policies 
• Building partnerships between Irish and Vietnamese institutions for collaborative education, training, research and development
• Explore possibilities for triangulation partnership, that contribute to visualize Irish Vietnamese Agri-food partnership as a genuine champion in bilateral partnership for food systems transformation.

Interview: H.E. Ms. DEIRDRE NÍ FHALLÚIN - Ambassador of Ireland to Vietnam

Proposed answer: “Ireland envisions IVAP as more than just a platform for sharing expertise; it is a model of mutual learning and growth. As a well-known Vietnamese proverb says: ‘One tree cannot become a forest, but three trees together can form a range of mountains’ (Một cây làm chẳng nên non, ba cây chụm lại nên hòn núi cao). Vietnam and Ireland complement each other uniquely in the agri-food sector. By working together, we can unlock vast potential to increase access to safe, healthy, and sustainable food for global consumers. The success of IVAP shows that there are no limits to what can be achieved through global partnerships in agri-food systems.”

From the green fields of Ireland to the vibrant farms of Vietnam, this partnership is planting seeds for a shared future in which knowledge, innovation, and solidarity drive sustainable food systems for all.

On-screen text: Ireland–Vietnam Agri-food Partnership (IVAP) 2024–2028 | Growing Together for a Sustainable Future

Logos: 

Ireland | Vietnam

Irish Aid, MAE, MOF 

SFSI 

VCA, ISPAE, NIAS, VNUA

DAFM, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, Teagasc, ICOS, UoG