The inspection focused on three main areas: the quality of VMS equipment and connectivity; the operation of digital platforms and fisheries databases; and the interoperability and data-sharing capacity among existing systems. These are considered “bottlenecks” directly affecting vessel monitoring and the prevention of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
According to Mr. Nguyen Phong Nha, Deputy Director of the Authority of Telecommunications and head of the delegation, implementation in Ho Chi Minh City shows that many fishing vessel management software systems are operating separately and lack synchronization. Data among systems are not fully aligned, creating difficulties for authorities in tracking vessel movements, controlling fishing activities, and handling violations.
The inspection also recorded cases of prolonged VMS signal loss on some vessels. Installing two to three monitoring devices on the same vessel has caused overlapping management and made it difficult to determine accurate data. In addition, many docked vessels are still required to maintain VMS signals, leading to power consumption and reduced battery life. Data transmission from service providers to the central management system remains slow and unstable, undermining real-time monitoring efficiency.
Beyond hardware infrastructure, IT applications in fisheries management have also revealed limitations. Port management software and electronic fishing logbooks have been deployed but are not yet interconnected. Multiple systems operate in parallel, with fragmented and non-integrated data. The transition from paper logbooks to electronic logs has caused confusion for some fishermen, particularly in offshore areas with weak signals where data transmission is challenging. Notably, the current port management software only updates sanction results and does not yet meet data-sharing requirements for modern management tools such as electronic fines, reducing deterrence effectiveness and transparency in law enforcement.
Based on these findings, the Ho Chi Minh City Sub-Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance proposed that the delegation consider adjusting certain regulations to better reflect actual offshore fishing conditions, such as reducing the frequency of voyage reporting and allowing flexible handling of signal loss caused by objective factors. The agency also proposed adding procedures for using data from technical devices as evidence, strengthening data application, and encouraging the installation of backup satellite communication devices to ensure uninterrupted information flow.
A representative of the delegation stated that the inspection aimed to identify practical difficulties and promptly address technical bottlenecks, while urging enterprises to enhance systems and improve connectivity quality. On that basis, the delegation will compile recommendations and advise the Government and relevant ministries on improving mechanisms and policies to enhance fisheries management through digital technology.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
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