In 2010, WWF, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and the Vietnam Fisheries Society (VINAFIS) signed a Cooperation Agreement to support efforts to improve environmental and social responsibility in the pangasius industry in order to achieve ASC certification. Parties to the Cooperation Agreement committed to supporting pangasius producers to achieve 100 per cent of farmed pangasius production for export under one of several certification schemes by 2015, with 50 per cent of this under the ASC by 2015, and 10 per cent by 2012.
About 30 of Vietnam’s biggest pangasius producers are supported by the parties to the Cooperation Agreement; WWF, VASEP, VINAFIS – and in close cooperation with the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV), Anova and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) – in their efforts to achieve ASC certification.
The event - organized by the Vietnam Directorate of Fishery (D-Fish), VASEP, VINAFIS and WWF, in close cooperation with IDH and SNV - brought together responsible pangasius producers and international buyers to applaud producers achieving ASC certification and to sign purchase agreements.
“These pioneering companies are setting an example for the wider industry. If the market responds appropriately, a major shift of the industry to responsible farming methods will be triggered,” said Dr. Nguyen Huu Dzung, VASEP Vice President. “Adopting responsible practices will also increase the future sustainability of the industry in Vietnam, protecting income and employment for the long term.”
Corporations including Vinh Hoan, Hung Vuong, NTACO and Hoang Long, recently achieved ASC certification and are among the biggest pangasius producers in the Mekong Delta. The ASC certification guarantees that the pangasius is farmed in a responsible manner with minimal negative impact on the environment, farm staff and surrounding communities.
Among the producers attending the event, Huong Vuong Corporation was the first producer to express its commitment to ASC, and recently achieved ASC certification for its farm in Phu Tuc in the Mekong Delta.
“Complying with the ASC standard is not only environmentally responsible, it’s also good for business as it opens doors to new markets in Europe and the US,” said Mr. Duong Ngoc Minh, Chairman of the Management Board of Hung Vuong Corporation. “With ASC-labeled products we can grow our business while assuring consumers they’re buying a responsibly farmed product.”
Most of Vietnam’s pangasius farms are located in the Mekong Delta provinces of An Giang, Dong Thap and Can Tho. Farms vary in size from less than 1 hectare in size, to more than 100 ha. The sector is a major provider of employment in these provinces, particularly in the processing plants that fillet and freeze pangasius for export.
“Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production system in the world, and its rapid expansion has not come without impacts,” said Chris Ninnes, ASC’s CEO. “ASC certification recognises and rewards farms that are following responsible practices. This includes conservation of water resources, no misuse of antibiotics, responsible use of feed, and behaving in a socially responsible manner.”
More than 90 per cent of world exports of pangasius is sourced from Vietnam. In 2011, Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached USD1.85 billion representing 1 per cent of GDP - making it an important sector for Vietnam.
“Farmed seafood already accounts for about half of all the fish and shellfish we eat,” said Jose Villalon, WWF’s Vice President of Aquaculture and Chairman of the ASC Board. “When done responsibly, aquaculture presents a solution to meeting the increasing food demand of a growing global population. WWF applauds producers in Vietnam who have achieved ASC certification and we are committed to working with industry leaders eager to embrace sustainability.”
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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