Vinh Long expands export-standard plantations

Over 33,000 ha of code-issued raw material areas

According to Mr. Le Van Dung, Deputy Director of the Vinh Long Department of Agriculture and Environment, as of May 2026, the province has more than 223,324 ha of perennial crops, with an estimated output of over 2.557 million tons. Among these, coconut remains the key commodity, with a total area of 122,870 ha.

Currently, 21,772 ha of coconut area have been granted growing area codes, accounting for approximately 17.78% of the country's total coconut area. More than 30,708 ha of coconut plantations have obtained organic certification, with an average output of around 337.8 million fruits per year. For fruit trees, the province has over 98,103 ha, of which approximately 10,000 ha have been granted growing area codes, equivalent to 17% of the total fruit-growing area.

To date, Vinh Long has been issued 1,006 codes for growing areas and packing facilities, with a total area of 33,960.12 ha. Of these, 733 growing area codes totaling 27,349.64 ha export durian, rambutan, longan, sweet potato, pomelo, and coconut to international markets, including China, the U.S., New Zealand, the EU, South Korea, and Australia.

In addition, the province currently has 202 domestic growing area codes covering 6,610.48 ha, along with 71 packing facility codes serving the export of key agricultural products such as durian, coconut, rambutan, and mango. Under the 2026 plan, communes and wards across the province will continue to register for growing area codes, with a total area of over 4,921 ha, of which coconut accounts for more than 4,334 ha.

In developing organic raw material zones, the province's coconut areas are applying multiple international standards, such as USDA (the U.S.), JAS (Japan), and EU organic standards, as well as organic standards of China, South Korea, and Taiwan. The province aims to expand its organic coconut raw material areas by an additional 14,820 ha by the end of 2026, raising the share of organic coconut area to approximately 37% of the province’s total coconut area.

According to Mr. Le Van Dung, as many import markets tighten regulations on traceability, pesticide residues, and phytosanitary requirements, failure to promptly organize production in line with processes and establish growing area codes could put local agricultural products at risk of losing export opportunities.

From growing area codes to a shift in production mindset

Beyond the provincial level, many localities are proactively developing growing area codes for high-potential crops to meet requirements for official exports. In Tam Binh commune, on May 8, 2026, the commune's Economic Division, in coordination with the Farmers' Union and the Vinh Long Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, launched the establishment of a growing area code for red-fleshed jackfruit in My Phu 3, My Phu 4, and My Phu 5 hamlets.

Following the deployment session, 23 farmer households agreed to form a production linkage and appoint a team leader to manage the growing area and complete registration dossiers for code issuance. According to the specialized sector, growing area codes not only enable traceability but also help control production processes, prevent the mixing of products from outside designated raw material zones, and meet phytosanitary and food safety requirements of major import markets.

Alongside the development of growing area codes, technical training activities to serve exports are also being intensified across localities. On May 8, 2026, in Giao Long commune, the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP) in Viet Nam, in collaboration with Chanh Thu Group, organized a training session on requirements for official exports of green-skinned pomelo to the Chinese market, with participation from specialized agencies, cooperatives, and a large number of growers.

At the program, the Regional Plant Production and Plant Protection Station X (Vinh Long Province) disseminated standards for official pomelo imports into China. The Southern Fruit Research Institute provided guidance on safe cultivation practices, fruit-bagging techniques, and production record-keeping while emphasizing the need to control pesticide residues in line with the requirements of import markets.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Thu, General Director of Chanh Thu Fruit Export-Import Co., Ltd., stated that the company will continue to accompany growers in developing standardized raw material zones, supporting consumption linkages, and improving product quality to meet official export requirements.

Following the theoretical session, experts directly guided farmers in practicing fruit bagging techniques in orchards to reduce pest damage, enhance appearance, and improve the quality of pomelo for export. Through these hands-on activities, many growers are gradually shifting their production mindset, accessing professional farming practices, and better meeting the standards of import markets.

Establishing growing area codes is a matter of survival

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Chau Van Hoa stated that establishing growing area codes is no longer merely an administrative procedure but has become a matter of survival to safeguard the reputation and brand of agricultural products of Viet Nam in general and Vinh Long province in particular.

Accordingly, the Provincial People’s Committee has assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment to intensify training and guidance for farmers and enterprises on measures to control cadmium residues in durian, as well as other prohibited residues in export agricultural products.

The Department is also required to urgently finalize development plans for each crop and livestock category associated with infrastructure and consumption linkage chains, while reviewing and advising on support mechanisms for the establishment of growing area codes, organic raw material areas, VietGAP and GlobalGAP certification, traceability systems, and brand protection for the province’s key agricultural products.

For cooperatives facing difficulties related to land, facilities, and headquarters, the Provincial People's Committee has assigned the Department of Finance to coordinate the review and propose appropriate support solutions in accordance with Decree No. 113/2024/ND-CP and relevant regulations.

In addition, the province will continue to review the implementation of Resolution No. 36/2025/NQ-HDND and compile statistics on demand for cooperative support in training, digital transformation, the application of science and technology, market access, and investment in infrastructure and production equipment.

People's Committees at the commune level are required to grasp crop areas within their jurisdictions to determine the scale of growing area codes, while strictly managing raw material areas to prevent overlaps and disputes among enterprises. Commune-level chairpersons will take responsibility if disputes over raw material areas arise, undermining trust among farmers and businesses.

From traceability requirements to the standardization of production processes, growing area codes are increasingly becoming a "passport" for Vinh Long's agricultural products to expand export markets and enhance their competitiveness in the international market.