VASEP held the 7th General Assembly, term 2025–2030 with the motto: “Proactive adaptation – Innovation – Sustainable development”

Ho Chi Minh City, 12 June 2025 - In a solemn atmosphere, on June 12, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) held the 7th General Assembly, term 2025–2030 in Ho Chi Minh City. The event took place right after the Political Bureau issued Resolution 68-NQ/TW (May 4, 2025), identifying the private economy as an important driving force for growth, opening up new expectations for the seafood business community.

The leader of VASEP emphasized in his opening speech at the Congress: “This is an important occasion for the entire industry to look back on the past 5 years, and at the same time discuss and agree on strategic directions for the next period. The common goal is to enhance the role of the Association, strengthen the strength of member businesses and promote sustainable development of the Vietnamese seafood industry in the new context.”

Overcoming the waves and reaching far: the mark of the 2020–2025 term

The 2020–2025 period is a period of great turmoil. COVID-19 has disrupted supply chains, geopolitical conflicts and trade barriers have increased, and climate change has become more severe. However, the Vietnamese seafood industry has held firm and achieved many successes.

After the difficult period of 2020-2021, in 2022, seafood exports reached a record of 11 billion USD - a feat in the context of global instability. 2023 continued to be a challenging year with large inventories, falling import prices and the IUU yellow card not being removed, but the industry still maintained its growth momentum. 2024 marked a victory in the shrimp anti-subsidy lawsuit in the United States - the lowest tax rate among the investigated countries - creating momentum for recovery, bringing exports back to the 10 billion USD mark.

Under the direction of the VASEP Executive Board, with the support of the Government and the business community, and the cooperation and support of the business community - fishermen - localities, the seafood industry has made many outstanding marks. Many product groups such as shrimp, pangasius, tuna have become billion-dollar industries. Enterprises invest heavily in deep processing, value-added products and meet the standards of high-end markets.

Concurrently, the Association has proactively implemented many activities to support members: policy review, trade promotion, training, communication information and market connection. In particular, the Prime Minister's Conference with VASEP in April 2023 is an important milestone, demonstrating the deep concern of the Government and the Prime Minister for the seafood industry and the Association's bridging role in reflecting and proposing solutions to remove difficulties for businesses, developing the market and improving the position and capacity of the industry.

New challenges and opportunities in the 2025-2030 term

Entering the new term, the seafood industry faces many new challenges, requiring innovative thinking, long-term strategy and close connection between the parties. New generation free trade agreements (EVFTA, CPTPP, UKVFTA, etc.) continue to open up opportunities for tariffs, but at the same time pose higher requirements for traceability, green development and social responsibility.

One of the major challenges today is the reciprocal tax imposed by the United States on Vietnamese goods, including seafood. This is not only a cost obstacle, but also requires businesses to improve their trade defense capacity and adjust their supply chains towards transparency and sustainability.

In addition, production costs continue to escalate, international competition is fiercer from countries such as India, Thailand, Ecuador. Climate change reduces the resources and quality of raw materials. The IUU yellow card also continues to be a major challenge in exports. Green, clean, socially responsible, and low-emission standards are no longer a trend, but a mandatory requirement of the market.

Motto in the new period

In that context, the 7th General Assembly determined the motto for action throughout the term as: "Proactive adaptation - Innovation - Sustainable development."

This is not just a slogan, but a strong commitment to action of the entire Association and the member business community.

At the Congress, delegates discussed and decided on many important contents:

• Improving the Association's operating apparatus;
• Developing strategies and action plans in line with reality;
• Strengthening the connection of the business community;
• Innovating services, improving the quality of consulting and supporting members;
• Promoting policy dialogue, international connection and effectively responding to trade barriers.
• Promoting innovative initiatives in production, processing and distribution in the direction of green - clean - circular;
• Accompanying businesses in building transparent supply chains, developing responsibly, aiming to achieve environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.

The goal by 2030 is to develop the Vietnamese seafood industry in a modern, sustainable direction, with global competitiveness, with export turnover reaching 14-16 billions USD.