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Vietnam, home to a rich seaweed biodiversity and a long coastline, is falling behind its neighbours, Indonesia and the Philippines, which lead the global seaweed market.
Bordered by the Vietnam Sea and the South China Sea, the country boasts the highest number of seaweed species in the region, with 805 recorded, surpassing the Philippines (631) and Malaysia (355). Economically valuable species such as Kappaphycus, Sargassum, Gracilaria, and Eucheuma are already cultivated in Vietnam, which produced approximately 150,000 dry tonnes in 2023.
Recognising these advantages, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) has positioned seaweed as a key component of the country’s seafood development strategy, with a goal to harvest 500,000 dry tonnes of seaweed by 2030.
To support this goal, the MAE is working with the Ministry of Science and Technology to improve cultivation techniques, enhance seed quality, and develop high-yield, disease-resistant seaweed varieties. Vietnam is also exploring high-value applications for seaweed, and researchers from the Institute of Biology under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology have developed 69 extracts from 11 seaweed species, and compounds such as fucoxanthin have shown promise in functional foods and medical applications, including a potential use in Alzheimer’s treatment.
However, the following challenges remain:
1. Declining seaweed seed quality is a major issue. Many households utilise wild seeds from ponds and lagoons, resulting in depletion of the natural seed stock. The quality of the imported varieties also declines with repeated use of the same strains, resulting in reduced growth and increased disease susceptibility.
2. Growers currently engage more with economically valuable aquatic species such as finfish (grouper, pompano, seabass), lobster and molluscs, or use marine spaces for tourism. Seaweed farming is currently concentrated in the Cam Ranh and Van Ninh districts in Khanh Hoa province, South Central Vietnam due to their favourable environmental conditions and high marine biodiversity.
3. There have been limited technological advances in seaweed farming techniques in Vietnam and species such as Gracilaria and Sargassum are cultivated on a smaller scale compared to Indonesia and the Philippines. Low technology adoption and insufficient investment in research and development, along with low consumer awareness and weak market demand, also hinder progress.
4. Insufficient research has been conducted on the native and high-value species, such as Gracilaria, Sargassum, Ulva, Kappaphycus, and Eucheuma, which thrive in Vietnam. Further optimisation of the culture methods, growth cycles, and response to environmental changes is needed to boost productivity.
5. Underdeveloped markets and export opportunities are limiting the industry’s growth potential. Vietnamese producers struggle with inconsistent quality standards, insufficient post-harvest processing technologies, and limited access to international markets. Additionally, weak market linkages and inadequate branding reduce their competitiveness in the global arena. Without well-established export channels, the industry remains heavily dependent on local markets, which offer limited profitability.
Policy recommendations
The Vietnamese government should strengthen its global seaweed market by adopting successful practices from Indonesia and the Philippines. This includes establishing an export-oriented processing industry, strengthening the supply chain, and improving seed quality and genetic resource management.
By benchmarking their farming techniques, value chains and market strategies, Vietnam can identify its competitive advantages and highlight the strengths of its natural marine ecosystem and diligent human resources.
A strong commitment to technological innovation in seaweed farming should ensure environmental sustainability and align with green practices and minimising carbon emissions. This includes adopting effective cultivation methods, improved seed stock, mechanised processing and drying technologies, and the use of blockchain technology for supply chain transparency.
Vietnam should prioritise sustainable seaweed farming through the development of clear management plans, zoning and capacity limits.
Partnering with the World Wide Fund (WWF) can help guide the development of a sustainable seaweed industry. The WWF-led project Blue Horizon: Ocean Relief through Seaweed Aquaculture, aims to establish a value chain that provides both ecosystem and socio-economic benefit. WWF’s science-driven approach balances environmental, social, and economic goals while promoting the sustainable use of resources and the protection of rare, climate-vulnerable species.
Investing in research to improve seaweed seed quality is key to boosting productivity. Government support should focus on developing disease-resistant, climate resilient strains using advanced multi-omics and research facilities. Research exploring the potential benefits of seaweed as functional food, medicine and biostimulant could also help unlock its full value
Partnerships with universities, local and global institutions can accelerate innovation and keep Vietnam competitive in both low cost and high-value markets.
A cohesive business model linking seaweed farmers to post-harvest operators and markets is key to growth. Vietnam can boost supply chain efficiency through better coordination and industry associations that support collective bargaining and shared resources.
A scalable model focused on volume or value-added products will attract investors.
The government should address the seaweed sector's knowledge gaps through education, training and digital innovation.
Encouraging knowledge exchange, and building a national database on trends and best practices will boost cultivation, empower farmers and enhance competitiveness.
To strengthen the market development and export capabilities of Vietnam’s seaweed industry, the government should prioritise building strong international trade networks and enhancing branding strategies for high quality, sustainable seaweed products. To support this, it should build trade partnerships with key markets in Asia, Europe and North America, invest in marketing and international expos, and streamline exports while meeting global quality standards to enhance competitiveness.
