Vietnam advances bivalve aquaculture zones to meet international standards and boost exports

Vietnam is pushing to establish internationally certified bivalve aquaculture zones to promote sustainable development and raise the value of its seafood exports.

Untapped potential
With its extensive coastline and ideal conditions, Vietnam holds vast potential for farming and exporting bivalve mollusks such as clams, oysters, scallops, snails, squid, and octopus. However, the sector remains largely fragmented, small-scale, and underdeveloped, lacking the necessary certifications to penetrate premium markets.

As global consumers increasingly prioritize seafood with transparent origins and sustainable production, building certified farming zones has become essential to enhancing Vietnam’s position in the global seafood value chain.

According to the Directorate of Fisheries, internationally certified zones must meet rigorous criteria covering food safety, environmental protection, and social responsibility. Certifications such as ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council), BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices), and MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) are critical entry points for export to the EU, U.S., and Japan.

For example, Japan imports approximately USD 300 million worth of bivalves annually for domestic consumption. Given that mollusks are highly sensitive to water quality, maintaining clean, safe farming environments is crucial for export viability.

Meeting these standards ensures product safety by eliminating residues of antibiotics, heavy metals, and harmful bacteria. Certified zones also enable full traceability, tracking production from broodstock and environmental conditions to harvest time, making it easier to comply with the strict requirements of high-end markets.

Current challenges
Despite having over 40,000 hectares of coastal waters used for bivalve farming in provinces like Quang Ninh, Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa, Khanh Hoa, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, and Ca Mau, only a small portion of these zones are internationally certified or assigned traceability codes.

Another major bottleneck lies in seed quality. In provinces such as Ha Tinh, many farmers still rely on wild-caught juveniles without proper quarantine, risking disease transmission and product inconsistency.

Additionally, the lack of integration between farmers and processors means many sell to traders at unstable and often low prices. This weakens export value, as products are often sold as unprocessed raw materials rather than branded, value-added items.

Roadmap for sustainable, certified development
To address these issues, experts emphasize the need for clear zoning plans and traceability codes. Local authorities should identify suitable areas, such as tidal flats or sheltered bays, and invest in aquaculture infrastructure including roads, ports, and water quality monitoring systems.

Environmental monitoring must be rigorous. VASEP recommends routine testing for salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, microbial content, and heavy metals. The use of chemicals and antibiotics should be banned. Instead, integrated ecological models, such as combining bivalve farming with seaweed or fish, can naturally regenerate water quality and enhance economic returns.

Standardizing broodstock and farming techniques is also essential. According to VietGAP guidelines, only certified hatcheries should supply juveniles. Farmers should maintain detailed logs, use modern farming systems like cages, substrates, or recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), and follow protocols to boost productivity and manage disease risk.

Most importantly, strong partnerships between farmers and processors are key to securing stable demand and raising product value. Contract farming models, on-site processing facilities, and export-oriented value-added products such as ready-to-eat or marinated bivalves can help reduce logistics costs and increase export competitiveness.

Government support remains crucial. Policies that subsidize certification costs, provide training on compliance standards, and encourage collective branding of clean bivalve products will further enhance Vietnam’s global reputation.

If implemented successfully, these measures could transform Vietnam’s bivalve sector into a certified, sustainable, and high-value component of the country’s seafood exports.

Source: https://vietfishmagazine.com/