VINAFIS and USSEC partner to elevate Vietnam's seafood status

Mr. Nguyen Huu Dung, Secretary General of the Viet Nam Fisheries Society, stated during the signing ceremony that VINAFIS is a social-professional organization that was established with the objective of uniting individuals and organizations in the fisheries sector to offer mutual economic and technical assistance, thereby enhancing the livelihoods of fishery workers in Viet Nam.

The tenets and objectives of the Society are to unite and rally individuals and organizations in the fisheries sector to jointly support professional development, enhance business and production efficiency, protect the legal rights and interests of its members, and contribute to the overall development of Viet Nam's fisheries industry and national growth.

The VINAFIS-USSEC partnership's long-term goals, as stated by Mr. Dung, are to foster sustainable aquaculture and fisheries activities in Vietnam by means of technical training, knowledge exchange, and industry information sharing.

The cooperation will also support the adoption of international sustainability certifications, including initiatives aligned with the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP).

The goal is to enhance the quality of aquaculture feed, environmental responsibility, and industry competitiveness by promoting the use of U.S. soy ingredients in aquaculture feed when feasible.

Furthermore, the partnership will enhance market access, community outreach, and research collaboration in the aquaculture and fisheries sectors.

In order to fortify long-term cooperation and advance mutual interests, both parties will collaborate to coordinate or support industry events, conferences, and workshops.

Additionally, the two organizations will collaborate to conduct a global conference on aquaculture nutrition as part of the First Viet Nam International Fisheries Science and Technology Exhibition - VINAFIS EXPO 2026. USSEC will ensure that the workshop is "valuable" and "impactful" for farmers, businesses, and research institutions in Vietnam and the region by mobilizing the participation of prominent global nutrition experts from its network.

Mr. Timothy Loh, Regional Director for Southeast Asia at the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) commented: "We are proud to collaborate with a variety of partners in our operations."  In particular, USSEC has consistently prioritized partnerships with the Vietnamese fisheries sector.

The operational philosophy of USSEC is clear: to verify the value of U.S. soy products in not only the Vietnamese market but also in other global markets. Simultaneously, it maintains a consistent emphasis on the establishment and reinforcement of robust cooperative relationships in all markets in which USSEC conducts business.

"We are confident in the relationships that have been established over time with Vietnam and will continue to collaborate with our partners to ensure the nutritional security of the entire world," Mr. Timothy Loh stated.

USSEC has not only introduced U.S. soy products in Vietnam but has also implemented numerous practical support activities, including the transfer of new and advanced technology and market information, all of which are aimed at the sustainable development of the Vietnamese fisheries industry, according to the USSEC representative for the past period.

The principle of asserting the transparent quality and value of U.S. soy - products with distinct origins that meet sustainability standards, serves as the foundation of USSEC's operating model. Concurrently, there is an ongoing emphasis on the establishment of mutually beneficial and enduring partnerships.

The shared objective of promoting the sustainable development of Viet Nam's fisheries industry and improving the competitive value of Vietnamese products in the international market is the focus of all cooperative activities between the two parties. As Mr. Timothy Loh underscored, this is precisely the reason why the signing ceremony that takes place today is of such practical and significant importance.

The signing of this agreement is built upon a significant history of cooperation, as the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) celebrated 30 years of operation in Vietnam in 2025. This long-term presence has established USSEC as a key partner to the Vietnamese government and private sector, with a primary focus on the feed and aquaculture industries.

USSEC's strategy in Viet Nam extends beyond trade to encompass technical leadership and sustainable development. Key initiatives include:

• In-Pond Raceway System (IPRS) Technology: USSEC pioneered the introduction of the IPR, an advanced, high-density, sustainable aquaculture technology to Vietnam in 2015. This system promotes efficient water use and helps reduce the reliance on antibiotics.

• Marine Aquaculture: USSEC actively cooperates with the local industry to develop offshore cage farming systems, aiming to create improved, industrialized production models for the blue economy.

• Reducing Carbon Footprint: USSEC works with feed producers to promote the use of U.S. soy meal, which has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to soy from other origins. This helps Vietnamese aquaculture businesses reduce their environmental impact and meet international standards like ASC, BAP, and GlobalGAP.