Though navigating a rather torrid 2025 marked by natural disasters and a fluctuating global landscape, Vietnam agriculture and environment sector managed to grow sustainably and reach its targets.

Vietnam’s agriculture
and environment sector recorded a major breakthrough in 2025, posting growth of
around 4 per cent – the highest result for a decade. Export turnover reached a record
$70 billion, far exceeding the initial target of $65 billion. These figures reaffirm
the sector’s role as a solid “pillar” of the economy amid mounting challenges, while
laying an important foundation for green and sustainable development.

Deputy Minister
of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien said 2025 was exceptionally difficult,
marked by unprecedented challenges. The sector not only suffered heavy losses from
natural disasters but also faced a volatile global environment, from rising trade
tensions to increasingly stringent technical barriers related to traceability and
food safety. However, in the midst of these pressures, the sector maintained its
core targets and sustained stable growth.

Growth exceeds targets

According to the
Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), output of many key agricultural products
continued to rise or remained stable in 2025. Rice production was estimated at more
than 43 million tons; livestock and poultry herds developed steadily; plantation
forest timber output reached nearly 31 million cubic meters; and aquaculture and
captured fisheries were estimated at around 9.8 million tons. In trade, exports
of agriculture, forestry and fisheries products in 2025 were estimated at a record
$70 billion, up 12.2 per cent year-on-year and well above the $65 billion target.

Mr. Tien said production
restructuring continued towards greater efficiency, with a focus on products with
strong growth potential and higher added value. Concentrated production zones based
on regional advantages have taken shape, applying advanced technical processes,
ensuring food safety, and meeting market demand, such as raw material forest areas
for wood processing and fruit and vegetable zones meeting GlobalGAP and VietGAP
standards. Organic agriculture, clean agriculture, and high-tech agriculture continued
to be promoted, gradually shaping a green, clean and sustainable agricultural model.

On the institutional
front, regulations related to decentralization and the delegation of authority were
reviewed, updated, and submitted for approval. MAE completed a law amending 15 existing
laws to remove major institutional bottlenecks, while significantly cutting administrative
procedures to facilitate businesses and the public. “Institutional reform is a prerequisite,
alongside decisive and substantive administrative reform,” Mr. Tien emphasized.

He added that the
Ministry is implementing Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on science, technology,
and innovation as a strategic breakthrough for green growth, productivity gains,
and higher agricultural value. At the same time, efforts to combat illegal, unreported,
and unregulated (IUU) fishing remain a regular and determined task, aimed at removing
the European Commission’s “yellow card.”

Pillar for green growth

2025 also marked
a major turning point, as the 15th National Assembly approved the merger of the
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment with the Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Development, forming the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment from March
1, 2025. Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang said this was a
strategic decision by the Party and the State to improve the effectiveness of management,
exploitation, and the sustainable use of national resources. Following the merger,
the Ministry swiftly streamlined its organizational structure to ensure smooth and
effective operations.

Amid accelerating
globalization, Industry 4.0, and the global green transition, the Minister said
the sector will focus on several key priorities, which include completing institutions
and modern governance, and synchronizing the legal framework on land, water resources,
forests, environment, climate, and agriculture. MAE will also promote ecological
agriculture, the green economy, and the circular economy to enhance added value
and the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products.

The sustainable
management and exploitation of national resources will go hand-in-hand with accelerated
data digitization, the application of science and technology, and the digital transformation,
which are seen as key drivers to improve productivity, efficiency, and climate resilience.
“With a spirit of innovation and dedication, the agriculture and environment sector
will continue to serve as a pillar of the economy, contributing to a fast-growing,
sustainable, prosperous, and happy Vietnam,” Mr. Thang said.

On food safety,
he noted that the legal framework is now relatively complete and clear. While previous
management focused mainly on export-oriented production areas, from January 1, 2026,
the Ministry will also strictly control products for domestic consumption. The goal
is that, by the end of 2026, virtually all domestically produced and imported agricultural
products circulating in the market will carry traceability information and meet
safety standards, protecting public health and strengthening social trust.

Top priority

Chairing his dialogue
with farmers on December 10, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed the consistent
and enduring attention of the Party and the State to agriculture, farmers, and rural
areas. Based on farmers’ opinions and recommendations, he highlighted key issues
facing the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector. Science and technology,
innovation, and digital transformation were identified as objective requirements,
strategic choices, top priorities, and prerequisites for achieving the goal of raising
agriculture, forestry and fisheries export turnover to $100 billion in the years
to come.

However, the Prime
Minister also pointed out that a significant gap remains between research and the
application of science and technology in production. Digital transformation in rural
areas faces difficulties due to inadequate electricity, telecommunications, and
data infrastructure, particularly in remote, border, island, and ethnic minority
areas. The incomes of most farmers remain low and they are vulnerable to natural
disasters, epidemics, and market fluctuations.

Against this backdrop,
the Prime Minister called on ministries, agencies, and localities to continue reviewing
and developing more open mechanisms and policies on land, credit, science and technology
and digital transformation in agriculture; rolling out credit programs to support
agriculture and rural areas; and removing obstacles to develop agricultural insurance
markets to help farmers manage risks from natural disasters, crop failures, and
price volatility.

On domestic and
international links, he urged the MAE and the Ministry of Finance to build close,
legally-binding cooperative mechanisms between domestic enterprises and foreign
investors. Many countries, particularly in the Middle East, Africa, and neighboring
regions, have expressed interest in cooperating with Vietnam in agriculture, food
security, and product development.

Regarding export
markets, he stressed the need to diversify markets, products, and supply chains,
and to make more effective use of Vietnam’s 17 FTAs with more than 60 economies.
Relevant ministries should proactively negotiate market access, while businesses
and associations step up trade promotion and product branding.

On infrastructure,
the Prime Minister underscored the importance of climate resilient infrastructure,
digital infrastructure, and transport infrastructure. The State will continue to
prioritize resources for major projects to create new development space, reduce
logistics costs, and enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products.

Regarding the removal
of the IUU “yellow card,” he said the government has taken strong measures to end
illegal fishing, while restructuring the fisheries sector towards legality and sustainability,
expanding aquaculture and processing, and improving fishermen’s livelihoods.

In production, he
called for promoting green production, the circular economy, and low-emissions development;
ensuring food safety and traceability; protecting intellectual property; and combating
trade fraud. On human resources, he emphasized strengthening links between the State,
educational institutions, and enterprises to train high-quality human resources,
improving knowledge and skills for farmers.

Finally, the Prime
Minister emphasized the need to enhance value chain links and solidarity between
domestic and international stakeholders, mobilizing diverse resources through public
and private investment, public-private partnerships and other financial instruments,
based on the principle of harmonizing interests between the State, businesses, and
farmers.

VET-Chu Khoi