By the end of 2025, Vietnam’s fisheries industry was on track to reach U$10.7bn in exports and representing nearly 30 per cent of the total value of the entire agriculture and forestry sector.
According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien, export turnover reached U$9.5bn in the first 10 months of 2025, a 16 per cent increase compared to the same period of the previous year.
While these figures underscored the sector’s strong growth momentum, there is an urgent need to transition towards a green and sustainable model to ensure continued growth.
Vu Thai Truong, Head of the Climate Change, Energy and Environment Unit at UNDP in Vietnam highlighted three major bottlenecks facing the sector.
Firstly, it lacks technical capacity and does not have a standardised, reliable data system to support sustainability monitoring and reporting.
Additionally, it faces financial constraints such as high investment costs and ineffective green finance flows to support businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
Lastly, the sector’s inter-sectoral coordination is weak, with insufficient alignment across government agencies, industries, and stakeholders.
Together, these barriers limit the sector’s ability to meet international environmental requirements and to access high-value global markets.
To address financial constraints, Vu stressed the need to design an effective green finance mechanism built on a diverse and integrated ecosystem.
He noted preferential credit schemes, environmental funds, and access to international climate finance.
Furthermore, he suggested that priority should be given to projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), promote circular economy practices, and link with carbon markets to generate carbon credits.
In particular, Vu encouraged blue carbon investment projects, which focus on protecting, restoring, and enhancing marine and coastal ecosystems such as mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and tidal wetlands.
He stressed that blue carbon projects offer dual benefits by generating economic returns while strengthening ecosystem resilience.
UNDP has supported Vietnam through the BIOFIN Project, the Global Environment Fund’s Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP), and the Norwegian-funded Marine Spatial Planning Project.
Vu reaffirmed the UNDP will continue to work with Vietnam closely to reach its goals.
Working towards green marine industry
The importance of going green in the overall marine industry was highlighted during the Vietnam Marine Economic Sustainable Development Forum 2025 last month.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha affirmed Vietnam’s readiness to engage more deeply in regional and global initiatives related to ocean protection.
In his address, he said that the industry underpinned national economic growth.
While significant achievements have been made, including policy and legal framework, and increased investments, it still faces complex challenges such as climate change, resource degradation, marine pollution, and increasing coastal development pressures.
Tran emphasised that the country’s accomplishments represented only initial steps when compared to its overall potential and development needs.
He warned that without a fundamental shift in mindset; Vietnam would struggle to fully realise its marine potential.
He affirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) will coordinate with ministries and local authorities to promote green, circular, and low-emission marine industries, while enhancing monitoring and preparedness for disasters, sea-level rise, and extreme weather.
