However, they all are small-scale projects with an average amount of US$4.4 million per project, according to International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
There are 18 countries and territories injected money in fisheries projects in Vietnam. However, these projects have not created good link in the whole production and supply chain.
So far, Vietnam still has weak capacity to attract foreign investments, which does not meet potentials of local fishery sector, especially those in the Mekong Delta. The main reason is that the country has not national strategy for localities to attract and manage foreign investments.
In addition, foreign investors are hesitant to pour money in fisheries activities as they considered that it is a risky business sector. Weaknesses in infrastructure are also their concern.
In the coming time, provinces in Mekong Delta should kick off a strategy to develop Vietnam fisheries by 2020 in order to have more foreign investments in high tech and sustainable projects. The policies to create a favourable investment environment are needed to meet demands of foreign investors.
Moreover, it is necessary to know trend and demands of international investors and undertake trade promotion programs to get more ODA fund. The diversification of investment models must be also focused, especially the public-private partnership (PPP). This is a new investment model which is now popular in the agricultural sector through cooperation between the State and private companies.
Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries (D-Fish) and Metro Cash & Carry will cooperate with some players in the sector like Cargill and Fresh Studio to undertake a pilot fish farming program under the METROGAP. The program involves 2,000 farming families in Can Tho city.
Two key fish hubs must be developed in the provinces of Kien Giang and Can Tho to attract FDI and ODA funds in order to enhance the growth of the Mekong Delta’s fishery sector, boosting seafood export value and creating more jobs for local workers, especially those in rural areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
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