Canada - Viet Nam exchange experiences on fishing vessel management and the fight against IUU fishing22-01-2026

On the afternoon of 22 January 2026, the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance under the received and held a working session with a delegation from Global Affairs Canada, combined with a visit to the Fishing Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). The meeting focused on exchanging experiences in the management and monitoring of fishing activities, the prevention and control of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, while also opening up potential directions for cooperation in fishing vessel monitoring technologies, sustainable fisheries management, and the enhancement of law enforcement capacity at sea.

Department of Fisheries and Surveillance: a year of transformation in 2025 toward the aspiration of sustainable development10-01-2026

On 7th January 2026, the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance successfully convened the Conference to Review the Implementation of Tasks in 2025 and to Deploy the Work Plan for 2026.

Department of Fisheries and Surveillance holds working session with the Vietnam Tuna Association on the Skipjack Tuna purse seine fishery improvement project toward MSC sustainability certification06-01-2026

Against the backdrop of mounting challenges facing Vietnam’s fisheries sector in general, and the tuna industry in particular, in the context of increasingly demanding international markets, a working meeting between the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance and the Vietnam Tuna Association (VINATUNA) has laid the foundation for a strategic roadmap aimed at removing technical barriers and enhancing the overall competitiveness of Vietnam’s tuna sector, with a specific focus on skipjack tuna products.

Determination to remove the EU’s “yellow card” on IUU fishing: the 23rd meeting affirms powerful progress03-12-2025

On the evening of 25 November 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh personally chaired the 23rd online meeting of the National Steering Committee for Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. Conducted in an atmosphere of utmost urgency and uncompromising resolve, the gathering did not merely review the implementation status of assigned tasks but also powerfully reaffirmed the unwavering political commitment of the entire Vietnamese leadership to have the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning completely lifted within this very year, thereby safeguarding the sustainable exploitation of the nation’s precious fishery resources while simultaneously protecting and enhancing Vietnam’s international reputation and standing in global maritime governance.

Vietnam accelerates implementation of the Kunming - Montreal global biodiversity framework in the fisheries and aquaculture sector28-11-2025

On November 27, 2025, in Hanoi, a significant national workshop entitled “Promoting Biodiversity Conservation in the Fisheries Sector through the Approach of the Kunming - Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in Vietnam” was successfully organized. The event was co-hosted by the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) in close collaboration with prestigious international partners, including the French Development Agency (AFD), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The workshop served not only as a platform to present the draft National Action Plan for the fisheries sector until 2030 but also as a strong demonstration of Vietnam’s unwavering political commitment to protecting precious marine and coastal ecosystems while striving to achieve a harmonious balance between robust economic development and long-term environmental conservation.

Ca Mau Crab Festival 2025 - fragrance of the mangrove forest, taste of the open28-11-2025

On the evening of 16 November 2025, under a sky lit with thousands of colorful lights, the second Cà Mau Crab Festival 2025 officially opened at Phan Ngọc Hiển Square in An Xuyên Ward, Cà Mau City, under the evocative theme “Cà Mau Crab: Fragrance of the Mangrove Forest – Taste of the Open Sea”.

Vietnam hosts landmark conference on environmental protection in fisheries activities 202527-11-2025

Vietnam’s fisheries sector, one of the country’s most vital economic pillars and the world’s fourth-largest seafood exporter, took a decisive step toward a greener future as the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in collaboration with the Canadian Embassy in Vietnam and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), successfully organised the Conference on Environmental Protection in Fisheries Activities 2025. Held on 26 November 2025 in Hanoi, the high-level event brought together government leaders, diplomats, international organisations, scientists, industry associations, and hundreds of stakeholders to review three years of implementation of Decision 911/QĐ-TTg (the national scheme on environmental protection in fisheries 2021-2030) and chart a concrete roadmap for the crucial 2026-2030 period.

Digital transformation in the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment – outstanding achievements in implementing the Government’s Project 0621-11-2025

In the year 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) has accomplished numerous outstanding and remarkable achievements in the national digital transformation journey, which stands as one of the most crucial pillars in constructing a digital government, a digital economy, and a digital society. Despite facing an enormous workload, particularly in highly complex fields such as land management and fisheries, the MAE has still managed to deliver significant and impressive results, thereby laying a solid and robust foundation for the next phase of development.

Strengthening aquaculture disease management for sustainable development20-11-2025

In the context of Vietnam’s aquaculture sector achieving numerous positive production results in recent years, the persistent complexity and unpredictability of aquatic animal diseases have created an urgent imperative for comprehensive innovation in disease management, surveillance, monitoring, and prevention-control strategies. The sector must shift toward a more proactive, modern, scientifically based, technologically advanced, and nationally unified approach.

Perfecting the legal framework for the fisheries sector: strong decentralization – reducing procedures – removing bottlenecks20-11-2025

In the context of Vietnam’s fisheries sector developing in a modern, sustainable, and deeply integrated direction with the international community, the urgent need to complete a legal framework that is truly suitable with practical management and production realities has become more pressing than ever before. Following the implementation of the two-tier local government model, the tasks of state management, cutting and simplifying administrative procedures have gained even greater significance in the overall process of building normative legal documents.

80th Anniversary of the traditional day of Viet Nam’s Agriculture and Environment Sector celebrated in grandeur19-11-2025

12 November 2025 – The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment solemnly held the Ceremony commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Sector’s Traditional day (14 November 1945 – 14 November 2025) and the First National Patriotic Emulation Congress this morning at the National Convention Centre. The event was graced by the presence of Party General Secretary Tô Lâm, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, current and former Party and State leaders, underscoring the strategic importance of the sector in national construction and defence.

Department of Fisheries and Surveillance launches emulation movement for transparent and sustainable development of the marine economy19-11-2025

To concretize major policies of the Communist Party and the Government on breakthrough development in science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) has officially launched the emulation movement titled “Promoting the Application of Science and Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation in the Fisheries Sector”.

FAO supports Vietnam in implementing the port state measures agreement (PSMA) to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing14-10-2025

In the context of globalization and mounting international pressure to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, strengthening national capacity to fulfill international commitments, particularly under the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) has become more urgent than ever. To assist Viet Nam and other countries in effectively implementing the PSMA, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has decided to launch the Global Capacity Development Programme to Support the Implementation of the PSMA, with funding provided by FAO.

Combating IUU fishing: Strengthening capacity for Administrative sanctions29-06-2025

To effectively and substantively combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing while decisively addressing the European Commission’s (EC) “yellow card” recommendations, Vietnam has placed significant emphasis on handling administrative violations in recent times. As a result, the number of fishing vessels violating IUU regulations - particularly those encroaching on foreign waters, crossing permitted maritime boundaries, or losing Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) connectivity - has significantly decreased compared to the same period in 2024. To further enhance the effectiveness and enforcement of laws against IUU fishing, on June 25, 2025, the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance held a working session with the Department of Legal Document Review and Administrative Violation Management (under the Ministry of Justice). The session was co-chaired by Mr. Tran Dinh Luân, Director of the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance, and Mr. Ho Quang Huy, Director of the Department of Legal document review and Administrative violation management, with the participation of key leaders and officials from both agencies. The two sides exchanged updates on the situation and work plans related to the enforcement of laws against IUU fishing at the local level and agreed on coordinated efforts to inspect and guide local authorities and law enforcement agencies in the coming period.

Vietnam Fisheries and Surveillance sector joins forces to combat human trafficking19-06-2025

On June 15, 2025, the Prime Minister of Vietnam issued Decision No. 1137/QĐ-TTg, unveiling a comprehensive plan to observe “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons” and “National Day Against Human Trafficking” on July 30, 2025. The initiative carries the theme “Human Trafficking is an Organized Crime – End Exploitation.” Following this, on June 16, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment released Decision No. 2161/QĐ-BNNMT, outlining the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 313/QĐ-TTg, which focuses on enforcing the 2024 Law on Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking.

Vietnam launches pilot program for electronic fishing, purchase, and transshipment logbooks on fishing vessels19-06-2025

In a significant move to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and address the European Commission’s (EC) “yellow card” warning, Vietnam has officially initiated a pilot program to implement electronic logbooks for fishing, purchase, and transshipment activities on fishing vessels. This advanced system is designed not only to modernize fisheries management but also to enhance transparency, facilitate traceability of seafood origins, and support both fishermen and regulatory authorities in ensuring compliance with international standards.

Comprehensive strategies to elevate aquaculture efficiency in the Red River Delta05-05-2025

On April 25, 2025, in Hai Duong City, the National Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Surveilance and the Hai Duong Province Department of Agriculture and Environment, convened a pivotal symposium titled “Solutions to enhance aquaculture efficiency in the Red River Delta (RRD).” This significant gathering attracted a diverse array of participants, including industry experts, policymakers, business representatives, cooperative leaders, and local aquaculture farmers. The primary objective of the symposium was to deliberate on integrated, actionable strategies to address prevailing challenges, foster sustainable development of the aquaculture sector, boost productivity, elevate product quality, and secure sustainable livelihoods for communities across the RRD.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development inspects efforts to combat IUU fishing in Phu Yen province01-03-2025

On the afternoon of February 26, 2025, a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), led by Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien who also serves as the Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing conducted a crucial working session in Phu Yen Province. The visit aimed to comprehensively evaluate the province's implementation of anti IUU fishing measures and to provide direct guidance on addressing existing shortcomings. This effort aligns with Vietnam’s overarching national goal of having the European Commission’s (EC) “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood exports lifted by the end of 2025.

The Department of Fisheries strengthening collective power - unity - consensus21-02-2025

The Department of Fisheries is a strong and united organization, emphasizing the collective power of its officials, civil servants, and employees. Currently, the Department of Fisheries consists of 200 individuals, with 169 active trade union members in Hanoi. These members consistently fulfill their duties with dedication, demonstrating flexibility, creativity, and expertise to adapt to the unique challenges of their working environment. Through continuous efforts, they contribute significantly to the overall success and development of the fisheries sector.

Vietnam’s shrimp industry seizes opportunities, transforms challenges into growth momentum14-02-2025

In midFebruary 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the People's Committee of Bac Lieu Province, organized the "Development of the Brackish Water Shrimp Industry in 2025" conference. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien and Vice Chairman of Bac Lieu Provincial People's Committee Ngo Vu Thang co-chaired the event.

9