Viet Nam transforms food system with inter-sectoral coordination mechanism

In the past, Viet Nam’s agriculture thrived under a "production maximization" model, prioritizing high volume and low cost. However, as the world entered a phase of climate volatility, energy crises, and global nutritional pressure, this approach reached its limits. Viet Nam is now compelled to transition toward a more sustainable agri-food system, one that requires coordinated action across sectors, government levels, and partners.

“Transforming the food system is not just about changing production methods, but fundamentally shifting the mindset toward management and coordination,” said Dr. Tran Van The, Senior Technical Expert for the Food System Transformation Partnership (FST-P), opening his presentation at the Viet Nam-Ireland Bilateral Cooperation Conference on Agri-Food System Transformation on the morning of November 4.

According to Dr. The, Viet Nam is one of the few Asian nations to adopt a National Action Plan on a Transparent, Accountable, and Sustainable Food System Transformation (FST-NAP) through 2030. The plan aims to create an agricultural sector that simultaneously ensures food security, contributes to poverty reduction, improves community nutrition, and supports the country's Net Zero 2050 commitment.

Beyond the strategic level, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has launched an inter-sectoral coordination mechanism where ministries, localities, businesses, and international organizations collaborate on the transformation process. This structure includes a National Steering Committee, the FST-P Partnership Office, and five inter-sectoral Technical Working Groups (TWGs) focusing on specific areas: institutional improvement, ecological agriculture, food loss, nutrition and diversification, and responsible distribution and consumption.

“Viet Nam’s distinctive approach is that the transformation is not driven by a single agency, but rather a mechanism of co-governance and companionship,” Dr. The continued. This allows each TWG to focus on a specific “bottleneck” in the value chain while maintaining close links for decision-making.

The plan targets a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2020, a 0.5-1% annual reduction in post-harvest losses, increasing the ratio of processed agricultural products to over 50%, and achieving a minimum of 30% of production based on good practices. All progress is monitored through an M&E indicator system, a toolset currently being finalized for integration into the Ministry’s digital database.

Pilot localities lead the way

Following the initial implementation phase, Dong Thap, Son La, and Nghe An have become the three pioneering provinces to develop provincial-level food system transformation plans. Each province addresses a different context: Dong Thap focuses on the rice-fish value chain, Son La develops eco-agriculture combined with tourism, and Nghe An pilots nutritional agriculture models.

In these provinces, provincial-level technical task forces have been established to identify priorities, build food system profiles, and mobilize local resources. The transformation plan is also integrated into existing poverty reduction and socio-economic development programs, instead of being treated as separate projects. “This enhances sustainability, preventing the plans from being ‘suspended’ due to lack of capital,” Dr. The explained.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that institutional gaps and resource constraints remain. Most localities lack specialized funding and have limited human resources, particularly for communication and monitoring. Some tasks rely on integration with other programs, slowing down the implementation pace. “Food system transformation requires both green finance and the involvement of the private sector,” he stressed.

To overcome these obstacles, the FST-P group is strengthening connections with international partners, especially Ireland through the Ireland-Viet Nam Agri-Food Partnership (IVAP). This support focuses on technical assistance, training, and sharing successful models, from ecological farming and digital transformation to food loss reduction.

Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director General of the International Cooperation Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), commented: “The strength of the transformation lies not in the size of the capital, but in the ability to coordinate. Every partner plays a different role within the same ecosystem.” He referred to this as an "action network," where government agencies, research institutes, NGOs, and businesses jointly develop evidence-based plans.

In practice, this network has expanded to include international organizations such as the FAO, ADB, EU, and WWF, along with numerous Vietnamese businesses in processing, food, and agricultural value chains. Each partner contributes a piece of the puzzle, from farming techniques and safety standards to data governance and carbon credits.

A shift in perception

More importantly, the transformation involves a shift in perception. The FST-NAP is not merely a 10-year plan; it is a pilot step to forge a new way of thinking about agricultural development. Instead of separating individual stages, such as cultivation, husbandry, or processing, Vietnam is seeking to link them into a unified system, where all policies consider the supply chain, nutrition, welfare, and the environment.

Dr. The shared: “Each sector and locality may have different specific objectives, but all are directed toward a transparent and accountable food system. That is the real transformation.”

Irish Ambassador to Viet Nam Deirdre Ní Fhallúin remarked that Viet Nam is a pioneering partner in the region for adopting this approach. She believes Viet Nam's inter-sectoral coordination mechanism provides a crucial foundation for scaling up cooperative models and connecting with other countries in the global food system transformation process.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is expected to finalize the Mid-term Report of the FST-NAP in 2026, evaluating the effectiveness of each technical group and piloting new provincial models. Concurrently, the management agency is considering mobilizing climate finance and green bonds for projects related to circular agriculture, emissions reduction, and nutritional improvement.

“The challenge is no longer a lack of ideas, but how to connect the stakeholders. If farmers, businesses, and policymakers look in the same direction, Viet Nam's food system could progress much faster than anticipated,” Dr. The affirmed.

With over 60% of its population still residing in rural areas and the agricultural sector contributing nearly 12% of GDP, the transformation of the food system is not just a matter of sustainable development – it is the future livelihood of tens of millions of people.