Sun Wah, MAE developing value chain transparency solutions

The bilateral meeting focused on cooperation in product traceability and agricultural data governance; the application of science and technology in production and processing; the development of smart agriculture; and environmental protection.

Digital transformation across value chains

Deputy Minister Vo Van Hung highly appreciated the cooperation activities between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Sun Wah in recent years, not only in trade but also in value chain development, brand building, and market expansion for Vietnamese agricultural products, particularly in the Chinese market.

According to Deputy Minister Vo Van Hung, Viet Nam’s agriculture sector is undergoing a strong transformation from a production-oriented mindset to an agricultural economy based on value chains and sustainable value creation. Requirements related to food safety, brand building, traceability, circular economy, green economy, and emissions reduction are increasingly becoming core elements of the sector.

The Deputy Minister proposed that both sides continue to expand trade promotion activities, exhibitions, and efforts to promote the image of Vietnamese agricultural products, while strengthening cooperation in science and technology transfer, particularly by drawing on the experience of major Chinese partners in livestock, aquaculture, and crop production.

In addition, the two sides should further promote the application of science and technology, digital transformation, traceability systems, and the development of agricultural databases, while coordinating to propose suitable strategies to advance sustainable agricultural production and maximize benefits and efficiency for businesses and farmers.

Starting from the seafood sector, Sun Wah has now expanded strongly into coffee, cashew nuts, durian, and many other agricultural products. Beyond trade activities, the group has also implemented various training and technical transfer programs for farmers. Chairman Jonathan Choi said that training courses on ancient tea trees in Kunming have attracted many Vietnamese tea growers seeking to learn about cultivation, processing, preliminary treatment, and packaging techniques.

Regarding fresh flowers, instead of only exporting to Viet Nam, Sun Wah hopes to jointly develop high-value flower varieties for cultivation in Da Lat. Mr. Jonathan Choi also noted that the soil and climate conditions in Yunnan and Guangxi are similar to those in several Vietnamese localities that cultivate medicinal herbs.

Priority cooperation from Sun Wah’s 4 strategic companies

At the meeting, four strategic subsidiaries of Sun Wah presented proposals for cooperation to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Mr. Liu Minyuan, General Director of Yunnan National Tea Company under Sun Wah, proposed jointly developing a capacity-building training system along the tea value chain for Vietnamese tea growers and establishing a national tea ceremony system based on national standards.

According to Mr. Liu Minyuan, “Viet Nam has the opportunity to build a national tea brand model associated with raw material area standards, quality grading systems, traceability, digitalization, and packaging standards.” He also proposed developing tea tourism models combining culture and experiential activities to increase the value of the tea industry.

Regarding cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence solutions for agriculture, Mr. Zhou Yuanliang, representative of Inspur Intelligent Terminal Equipment Co., Ltd., said the company is ready to cooperate in applying AI and remote sensing technologies for smart management of light, temperature, water, air, and soil in agricultural production. Solutions for aquaculture and livestock farming also integrate advanced technologies such as water quality monitoring, intelligent oxygen aeration, precision feeding, and disease prevention systems.

Mr. Li Gang, CEO of Lingnong Agricultural Technology, shared microbial solution technologies to help reduce pesticide residues, aligning with the trend toward sustainable, green agriculture. These biological products can improve soil quality, restore fertility, regulate soil microbial ecosystems, and reduce soil degradation caused by intensive farming. In addition, they provide natural antibacterial effects, strengthen plant resistance, limit the spread of harmful fungi, reduce diseases such as root rot and wilt, and help cut pesticide use by around 30–40%.

In the environmental sector, Mr. Fang Lei, General Director of the Viet Nam Representative Office of MCC Group, said the company hopes to cooperate with Vietnamese agencies in studying integrated management models suited to local conditions, combining water environment treatment with old urban renovation and ecological landscape development. According to him, inland river management should not stop at dredging or the construction of wastewater treatment plants, but requires comprehensive planning and long-term operational mechanisms.

After listening to the presentations, Deputy Minister Vo Van Hung highly appreciated the Chinese side for bringing forward concrete cooperation proposals aligned with Viet Nam’s orientations toward green agriculture, digital transformation, and sustainable development.

According to the Deputy Minister, “The proposals focus on issues we are currently prioritizing, such as the development of specialty tea regions, nature-based farming practices, cultivation area management, traceability, modernization of agricultural data management, and water pollution treatment.”

Concluding the meeting, the Deputy Minister proposed that both sides organize thematic conferences, networking activities, and study visits soon to exchange experiences and translate cooperation ideas into concrete action programs.