Vietnam’s seafood industry achieves sustainable growth: The mark of a journey

Phase before 1975

As a coastal nation with natural advantages and aquatic resources to develop its fisheries economy, Vietnam’s fishing profession has very early origins. Before the 1950s, Vietnamese fishing was largely self-sufficient, production was primitive and manual, and fishing was considered a sideline occupation in agricultural production.

From the 1950s, along with the restoration and development of the economy in the North, the Party and State began paying attention to developing the fishing profession; the fisheries economy initially contributed significantly to the national economy.

When visiting fishing villages and fishermen on Tuan Chau and Cat Ba islands in late March to early April 1959, President Ho Chi Minh reminded that “Our silver sea belongs to our people”.

In 1960, the Department of Fisheries was established, marking the formal birth of Vietnam's fisheries industry. The fisheries economy began developing into a technical economic sector with industrial fishing organisations such as the Ha Long, Viet-Duc, and Viet-Trung fishing fleets, the Ha Long canned fish factory, and the widespread establishment of cooperatives.

By 1975, marine fish catch reached nearly 100,000 tons, seafood purchasing and processing exceeded 51,000 tons, aquaculture achieved 1,800 tons, and 356 fishing cooperatives had been formed and developed.

Phase 1976–1986

With the liberation of the South and national reunification on April 30, 1975, a new opportunity opened to develop the fisheries industry.

In 1976, the Ministry of Fisheries was established. In 1981 it was reorganised into the Department of Fisheries, and the fisheries sector entered a phase of comprehensive development - covering capture, aquaculture, processing, export and fisheries logistics; promoting scientific and technological research and application; and beginning to integrate with the global fishing profession.

Occupational structures and capture targets were adjusted to serve export. Aquaculture, including export-oriented shrimp farming, began receiving attention. Processing capacity expanded with new items for domestic and export markets.

By 1986, total fisheries output exceeded 840,000 tons (with capture nearly 600,000 tons, aquaculture over 240,000 tons), seafood purchases over 370,000 tons, multiple export processing plants reached USD 100 million, and there were 563 cooperatives and 2,321 fisheries enterprises and facilities across the country.

Phase 1987–1995

From 1991, the industry focused on the fisheries development strategy with three key government-assigned goals: ensuring food security, serving exports and creating jobs for coastal residents.

In 1993, the 5th Plenary Session of the 7th Central Committee decided to make fisheries a spearhead economic sector. Successfully applying a new production-market mechanism became a crucial turning point for the industry's development.

By 1995, total fisheries output reached 1.34 million tons (capture 928.8 thousand tons; aquaculture 415.3 thousand tons); exports totalled USD 550 million. From 1980–1990, export turnover grew at an average of 48.29 % per year, and from 1991–1995, export growth remained at 15.97 % per year.

By 1990, the fisheries industry was honoured with the Ho Chi Minh Order; in 1992, the Vietnam Fisheries Union and the Vietnam Fishing Association were established.

Phase 1996 to present

The Fisheries Law of 2003 and the Fisheries Law of 2017 (replacing the 2003 law), along with other legal documents, provided an important legal basis for the fisheries sector to continue strong development and maintain high growth.

The prime minister approved the fisheries industry under the Fisheries Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2045. This strategy positions fisheries as a commodity-scale, high-yield, reputable economic sector that deeply participates in global supply chains with high competitiveness and sustainability.

To implement the fisheries-related portions of the Vietnam Blue Economy Development Strategy to 2030 with a vision to 2045, the Government has issued many important policies, including two national planning schemes, four national programmes and nearly ten schemes/projects.

Challenges remain, such as complex developments in the East Sea, natural disasters and disease risks, severe climate change impacts, including drought and saline intrusion in the Mekong Delta, high production costs affecting international competitiveness, the EU "yellow card" affecting exports and national reputation, underinvestment compared to the sector’s potential, and increasing technical barriers from importing countries.

In 2007, the Ministry of Fisheries merged with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). In March 2010, the Prime Minister established the Directorate of Fisheries under MARD. In March 2013, the Fisheries Surveillance Force was formed.

The fisheries industry has increasingly integrated internationally; export markets have expanded through the effective operation of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). In 2022, fisheries output reached over 9.06 million tons, more than five times that of 1996. Vietnamese fisheries products were exported to over 170 markets; export turnover first exceeded USD 1 billion in 1999 and nearly USD 11 billion in 2022, making Vietnam the world’s third largest seafood exporter (after China and Norway).

In this phase, the fisheries industry was honoured with the Gold Star Order (2007). The Directorate of Fisheries received the First-Class Labour Order from the State President (2019).