Tapping into seaweed 'gold mine': Massive potential of foreign currency

Seaweed in general and sea grapes in particular are not only nutritious food sources but also a comprehensive solution for Vietnam's economy, environment, and society. Mr. Le Ben, Deputy Director of Tri Tin Co., Ltd. and Vice President of the Vietnam Seaculture Association, affirms this.

As a pioneer in introducing sea grapes to Vietnam, Mr. Le Ben shared in-depth perspectives on the journey to affirm quality and the massive potential of seaweed, which is globally recognized as a "third-generation raw material."

Affirming quality through international standards

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More than 20 years ago, a Japanese partner introduced Mr. Le Ben to sea grapes, a nutritious delicacy in Japan. Originating from the Philippines, this seaweed was considered expensive, as it could only be cultivated in Okinawa (the southernmost region of Japan), which has relatively warm temperatures but unfavorable climatic conditions, leading to modest productivity and quality. From that, Mr. Le Ben thought about bringing sea grapes to the coastal waters of his hometown in Dong Ninh Hoa ward.

In 2004, 200 grams of sea grape seeds imported from Japan took root and thrived in shrimp and sweet snail farming ponds that had previously experienced losses. After two years of dedicated research and propagation, the first batch of sea grapes cultivated by Mr. Le Ben was successfully exported to Japan in 2006, affirming its quality in this market. Japanese customers subsequently sent experts to inspect the seaweed ponds in Ninh Hai and signed a consumption contract with Tri Tin Co., Ltd., opening enormous opportunities for Khanh Hoa sea grapes.

In 2007, Mr. Le Ben's elevated net-covered cultivation method won the Vietnam Fund for Supporting Technological Creations (VIFOTEC) Award. He is now researching another technique of farming sea grapes in square mesh trays suspended about 30 cm above the pond bottom. This method yields 50–60 tons/ha, nearly double the productivity of traditional bottom-pond farming. "This method keeps both productivity and quality consistently at the highest level while significantly reducing the labor required for harvesting," he said.

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Beyond farming techniques, Tri Tin Co., Ltd. has adopted deep processing and strict quality management processes, achieving international certifications such as HACCP, HALAL, and Code TS 611. These certifications have enabled Tri Tin sea grapes to be directly exported to many demanding markets, such as Japan, the U.S., South Korea, and China.

Notably, Tri Tin dehydrated sea grape product was recognized as Khanh Hoa province's first 5-star OCOP product in 2023. In addition, the company's seaweed product line was honored as a National Outstanding Rural Industrial Product in 2025. These achievements stand as clear proof of the quality and innovative capacity of Vietnam’s sea grape industry.

Creating a sustainable source of foreign currency

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Tapping into seaweed 'gold mine': Sea grapes reach out to the world

After many years of research, Mr. Ben realized that seaweed is now considered a third-generation raw material in the world, thanks to its ability to address food security challenges and adapt to climate change.

In economic terms, Mr. Ben affirmed that seaweed in general and sea grapes in particular deliver outstanding economic efficiency compared to terrestrial crops, with annual income ranging from VND 350–700 million/ha. Intensive farming models have already achieved yields of 50–70 tons/ha/year, with targets set to exceed 100 tons/ha in the near future, creating a massive and sustainable source of foreign currency. For Tri Tin Co., Ltd., annual revenue has reached around VND 12 billion, of which 80% comes from export activities.

Although the domestic price of raw seaweed ranges from VND 28,000 to 30,000/kg, deep-processed products have significantly higher value. According to Mr. Ben, dehydrated sea grapes are currently sold on international markets at a price of around USD 17/kg. This difference highlights the importance of investing in deep processing technologies, transforming fresh sea grapes into dehydrated products, seaweed snacks, or cosmetic items such as serums and sea grape-based lotions.

In addition, sea grapes offer outstanding environmental benefits. They do not compete with agricultural land, require no freshwater resources, and play a crucial ecological role by releasing oxygen, preserving marine biodiversity, and forming seagrass beds that support marine ecosystems while causing no pollution to the marine environment.

Tapping into the seaweed "gold mine"

However, the Vice President of the Vietnam Seaculture Association frankly pointed out that Vietnam’s seaweed industry, particularly the sea grape industry, has yet to develop on par with its potential. The reasons lie in fragmented operations, weak linkages between stakeholders, and a lack of stability in farming areas.

To ensure the industry's strong and sustainable growth, Mr. Ben emphasized the need for a synchronous implementation of solutions. Most importantly, farmers must change their mindset, moving beyond small-scale, independent operations to form cooperative groups or closed linkage chains with enterprises. Such collaboration would strengthen capital resources, technological investment, and quality control. Additionally, it is necessary to focus on science, technology, and deep processing so that Vietnamese products exported to global markets represent the highest value.

Finally, Mr. Ben urged local governments to play a guiding role by ensuring stable farming zones, granting clear usage rights, and implementing strict quality control measures to prevent substandard products from damaging the reputation of Vietnamese seaweed in international markets.

Besides, prioritizing seaweed development in coastal areas unsuitable for other industries would be a strategic direction, generating dual benefits for both the economy and the environment.

* USD 1 = VND 26,124 (Source: Vietcombank)