Impact of Typhoon Yagi and Recovery Efforts
Van Don District, home to the largest offshore aquaculture area in Quang Ninh, suffered severe damage following Typhoon Yagi. Official reports indicate that over 5,400 hectares of oyster farming rafts were impacted, along with 6,400 fish cages and floating farms sustaining significant damage.
However, thanks to timely support from local authorities and the resilience of cooperatives and businesses, Quang Ninh Province and Van Don District swiftly implemented relief policies for affected stakeholders. The acceleration of sea area allocation has enabled cooperatives and enterprises to resume production promptly.
As of now, more than 5,400 hectares of oyster farming facilities have been restored, with over 2,600 hectares of new oyster seeding surpassing pre-typhoon levels. Additionally, all 6,400 damaged fish cages and floating farms have been rehabilitated.
Vision for sustainable development
During his visit, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha toured exemplary aquaculture cooperatives, including Trung Nam aquaculture cooperative, and high tech oyster and marine fish farming models in Van Don District. He commended local authorities for integrating scientific and technological advancements to enhance productivity and product quality.
At Trung Nam Aquaculture Cooperative, he reviewed the implementation of a technical oyster farming process aligned with national agricultural extension guidelines. The cooperative, comprising seven members, operates on nearly 48 hectares, producing over 1,000 tons of Pacific oysters annually. Their farming methods align with technical standards to optimize economic efficiency, ensuring factors such as harvest timing, shell size, coloration, fat content, and reproductive success (above 75%) are meticulously managed. Additionally, strong linkages between the cooperative, processing units, and purchasing entities have secured stable production and daily product sales.
Visiting Bai Tu Long fishing village Cooperative, the Deputy Prime Minister engaged with fishermen to understand their challenges and recommendations. Key concerns included high marine lease costs, bureaucratic complexities in sea area allocation, and the need for improved vocational training and technological integration. Many aquaculturists cited difficulties in accessing financial aid, sourcing high quality breeding stock, and establishing strong market connections.
Emphasizing both financial and technical support, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the importance of enhancing disaster forecasting systems to mitigate the impact of typhoons and extreme weather events. He called for closer collaboration among local authorities, scientists, and enterprises to develop a comprehensive monitoring and early warning system to protect aquaculture zones from natural risks.
He stressed that aquaculture development must balance economic benefits with marine environmental conservation. He urged local governments to implement targeted support policies, facilitating access to preferential loans, improving breeding stock quality, and expanding market reach - especially for export.
Furthermore, he emphasized that offshore aquaculture must align with long term planning, ensuring coordinated efforts between sectors and businesses. The government will consider streamlining administrative procedures, simplifying licensing processes, and reducing or waiving marine usage fees for actual farming areas.
A new direction for marine aquaculture
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha proposed the establishment of a risk insurance policy for the aquaculture sector, enabling farmers to recover after natural disasters. He also underscored the potential of integrating aquaculture with eco-tourism to boost economic value while fostering a sustainable supply chain connecting farming, processing, and consumption.
For Quang Ninh, marine farming is not only a key economic sector but also a strategic solution to transitioning fishermen’s livelihoods in response to the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Therefore, he called for a comprehensive review of zoning plans, expansion of aquaculture areas, and intensified research and application of advanced technologies to ensure product quality.
Addressing businesses and cooperatives, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the need for branding, traceability, and compliance with food safety standards. He encouraged the formation of industry alliances among enterprises and cooperatives to strengthen purchasing, storage, and processing capacities preventing the recurring issue of price volatility and supply shortages.
His visit underscored the government's strong commitment to the aquaculture sector, particularly in its recovery from natural disasters. His directives and policy recommendations are expected to drive sustainable and modern industry growth, improve the livelihoods of fishing communities, and contribute to local economic development.
With continued government support, Quang Ninh’s aquaculture industry and that of other coastal provinces holds significant potential for sustainable and technologically advanced expansion. Financial aid initiatives, administrative reforms, and high-tech applications will enable farmers and businesses to enhance productivity, mitigate risks, and access broader markets. This, in turn, will not only advance the marine economy but also foster a greener and more sustainable agricultural sector for Vietnam’s future.
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