Advanced technology drives fisheries sector in Southeast Vietnam
From VAST, the workshop was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Tien Dung – Head of the Department of Application and Development of Technology; Prof. Dr Hoang Nghia Son – Director of the Institute of Life Sciences; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Quyen – Director of the Institute of Advanced Technology; Dr. Vu Anh Tuan – Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dong Van Quyen – Deputy Director of the Institute of Biology; and Dr. Do Hoang Tung – Deputy Director of the Institute of Physics. From VCCI, the participants included Le Thi Thu Thuy – Deputy Director of the Institute for Business Development, and Nguyen Xuan Bich Thoai – Deputy Director of VCCI Ba Ria–Vung Tau. On the business side, the event welcomed many enterprises in the fisheries sector, including Pham Van Tho – Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Vietnam Anti-Counterfeiting Technology Joint Stock Company (ACTIV); Le Hoang Thang – Director of TYGON Import–Export Co., Ltd.; Huynh Cong Tuan – Chairman of Kim Hoang Quang Nam Aquatic Breeds Joint Stock Company; and Cao Ba Dang Khoa – Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Coconut Association, along with nearly one hundred delegates representing regulatory agencies, businesses, scientists, and technology transfer organisations in the fisheries sector in Southeast Vietnam.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Tien Dung – Head of the Department of Application and Development of Technology delivers the opening speech at the workshop
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Tien Dung emphasised the importance of technology transfer linked to production practice. He noted that in the context of the fisheries sector facing pressure from climate change, export quarantine, and strict food safety requirements, technology application is no longer a trend but a necessity for Vietnam to maintain its domestic market share and expand exports. At the workshop, VAST introduced advanced technologies in various fields applicable to aquaculture, such as biotechnology, chemical technology, satellite technology, plasma, and ultrasound applications. Approached from different perspectives, all these technologies aim to help aquaculture meet domestic and international quality standards, not only reducing costs compared to imported products but also improving efficiency, thereby moving towards sustainable development of aquaculture in Southeast Vietnam.
The workshop served as an opportunity for the scientific community to present highly applicable research results in aquaculture, processing, and quality management. VAST showcased several products that have been successfully transferred, including microbial preparations to improve pond environments, herbal-based biological disease prevention for shrimp, a water quality monitoring model using the Google Earth Engine platform, and ultrasonic emulsification devices for aquaculture.
Dr. Than Quoc An Ha, from the Institute of Advanced Technology delivers a report at the workshop
Dr. Than Quoc An Ha, from the Institute of Advanced Technology, highlighted the critical importance of disease control in aquaculture. The Institute has introduced herbal-based microbial preparations to improve pond environments – a new trend in applying biological preparations and herbal extracts for sustainable and circular aquaculture. These research-based products help manage water resources and control disease outbreaks, reduce dependence on imports, prevent supply chain disruptions, and increase the economic value of exported seafood.
Dr. Do Hoang Tung, from the Institute of Physics, presented a unique and modern solution that combines plasma and ultrasound, enhancing plasma’s effectiveness in disease prevention without the use of medicines or antibiotics, reducing energy consumption, controlling microorganisms in aquaculture, and avoiding increased antibiotic residues in seafood
Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, from the Vietnam Space Centre, introduced a novel approach to aquaculture management and monitoring using satellite data, providing an overall picture for assessment and decision-making in aquaculture
Dr. Hoang Thi Yen, from the Institute of Biology, introduced a multifunctional photosynthetic purple bacterial preparation that can both treat water and serve as shrimp feed. The preparation helps shrimp remain healthy and achieve stable weight gain. Using indigenous microbial strains makes it more cost-effective than imported microbial products
Master Cao Van Nguyen, from the Institute of Oceanography, developed a model for oyster fattening that increases yield and maintains high growth rates. This solution has been successfully applied in Ca Mau, Khanh Hoa, and Ho Chi Minh City, with a payback period of 3.2 years. It is easy to implement and scale up without using drugs or antibiotics, contributing to sustainable aquaculture
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Quoc Toan, from the Institute of Chemistry, proposed using natural active substances as feed supplements and treatments for shrimp, applying the antibacterial properties of preparations mixed into feed for whiteleg shrimp
As part of the event, the workshop witnessed the signing ceremony between the Institute of Advanced Technology and three enterprises: An Tien Technical Service and Trading Joint Stock Company, Vietnam Equipment and Measurement Service Co., Ltd. (VEMS), and TYGON Import–Export Co., Ltd. These businesses operate in feed ingredients, aquaculture, livestock, and environmental treatment technology, opening up long-term prospects for practical and effective technology transfer models.
The Institute of Advanced Technology signs technology transfer cooperation agreements with three partners in the fisheries sector
In addition to technology introductions, the workshop facilitated direct connections between institutes and businesses through one-on-one exchange sessions. Topics of practical concern were raised, such as the demand in applying biotechnology to replace antibiotics, the role of traceability throughout the farming–harvesting–processing–consumption chain, and using satellite data to monitor the environment in concentrated farming areas.
This technology promotion activity has become an annual event organised by VAST in localities in coordination with VCCI, based on local and enterprise demand. VCCI leaders highly valued the spirit of cooperation and the attention of the business community, committing to continue serving as a bridge to promote trilateral cooperation between scientists, managers, and producers. The workshop is expected to create strong momentum for making science and technology a driving force for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector – not only in Southeast Vietnam but also nationwide.
Delegates learn about the technologies on display
Group photo session
Translated by Phuong Huyen
Link to Vietnamese version
