Prospects for freshwater fish farming

Standing at the edge of his pond, Nguyen Van Thuan (residing in Vam Hamlet, Trang Dai ward, Dong Nai province) cheerfully spoke with visitors: "During the rainy season, fish farmers face many hardships, but they’re encouraged by the constant renewal of water in their ponds. Clean, unpolluted water keeps the fish healthy, reducing disease and mortality. If the average selling price stays above VND 20,000 per kilogram, farmers can make a profit. Vam Hamlet has around 20 households engaged in freshwater aquaculture, with a total farming area of approximately 150 hectares. Fish farming here not only creates jobs but also provides a stable source of income for many families."

Nguyen Van Thuan (residing in Vam Hamlet, Trang Dai ward) has built a prosperous livelihood from six fish ponds covering nearly 20 hectares, earning annual profits of several hundred million Vietnamese dong. Photo: Quang Minh

Making use of surplus food in fish farming

With a favorable network of canals and waterways, Vam Hamlet in Trang Dai ward has long been considered a prime location for freshwater fish farming. The family of Nguyen Van Thuong operates three ponds with a total water surface area of 6 hectares, raising common species such as pomfret, mrigal carp, and basa. Fingerlings are sourced from Mekong Delta provinces at around VND 50,000 per kilogram, and each production cycle lasts about one year. Newly purchased fingerlings are first raised in a small pond and fed exclusively with formulated pellets. After each harvest, market-size fish are sold, while underweight fish are kept and raised together with the next batch. Using this staggered farming method, the family typically harvests three to four crops per year. To ensure a steady supply of feed, the family collects surplus food discarded by workers from industrial zones across the province. The leftovers are stored in 200-liter barrels, each costing VND 250,000. On average, the family purchases around 10 barrels per day, amounting to VND 2.5 million. Thuong shared: "This type of feed is cheaper than formulated pellets, helps the fish grow faster, and improves the quality of the meat. However, I have to regularly drain the pond and replace the water to reduce risks."

In Vam Hamlet, the Nguyen Van Thuan family operates the largest fish-farming area, with six ponds covering nearly 20 hectares. Thuan said fish farming here offers many advantages, as well-managed water conditions mean disease outbreaks are rare. The expansive water surface and readily available feed also help the fish grow quickly.

"Our community has a long-standing tradition of aquaculture, so connecting with traders is easy. When it's time to sell, we just make a phone call, and buyers come directly to the ponds. They sort the fish by species and distribute them to the Binh Dien Wholesale Market or to dealers supplying smaller local markets. Selling prices fluctuate with the market, but if the average remains above VND 20,000 per kilogram, after deducting feed and labor costs, farmers can still earn a profit margin of about 25 to 30 percent," Thuan shared.

However, Thuan added: "The dry season often lasts around six months, creating difficulties due to limited natural water sources. Therefore, we recommend that the government and functional agencies at the ward and provincial levels support farmers by investing in electricity infrastructure for water pumping and environmental improvement. This endeavor would help increase the overall efficiency of fish farming."

Toward sustainable aquaculture development

According to the Sub-department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries under the Dong Nai Department of Agriculture and Environment, local aquaculture has continued to grow steadily in recent years, affirming its vital role in the province’s agricultural structure. Dong Nai currently has more than 95 thousand hectares of water surface dedicated to aquaculture. Of this, household-based pond farming accounts for approximately 9,800 hectares, generating an annual output of over 80,000 tons. In 2025, the province is expected to reach a total production volume of more than 82,500 tons of assorted aquatic products. Many farmers have actively adopted intensive farming models, including high-tech shrimp farming in Nhon Trach and Long Thanh districts, as well as VietGAP-certified farming of tilapia, snakehead, and climbing perch in Trang Dai ward. These models deliver impressive yields, ranging from 40 to 250 tons per hectare for snakehead and climbing perch, and 25 to 40 tons per hectare per crop for whiteleg shrimp, significantly outperforming traditional methods. In addition, cage and raft fish farming on the Dong Nai River, Tri An Reservoir, and Thac Mo Reservoir has also expanded, shifting toward intensive and semi-intensive systems. Commonly farmed species include common carp, red tilapia, hemibagrus, and bronze featherback, with yields ranging from 3 to 8 tons per cage or raft. These models have demonstrated strong economic efficiency, contributing to increased income, stable employment, and improved ecological sustainability.

"The Sub-department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries will coordinate with localities to step up communication efforts, provide technical training and technology transfer for farmers, and support digital transformation in aquaculture management. The overall goal is to develop Dong Nai’s aquaculture sector in an efficient, environmentally friendly manner, contributing to an ecological, modern, and sustainable agricultural industry."

Le Thi Loan, Deputy Director of the Sub-department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, stated: "Alongside the progress achieved, the sector still faces several challenges. Infrastructure in farming areas remains inconsistent, particularly in electricity systems, water supply, and drainage facilities. Production remains small-scale and fragmented, with limited linkages along the value chain. Additionally, the impacts of climate change and water pollution in certain areas continue to affect aquaculture productivity and the quality of its products. In the coming period, Dong Nai’s fisheries sector will continue zoning efforts and work to address these shortcomings, encouraging investment in infrastructure for concentrated farming zones, promoting the adoption of high-tech, innovative management models, and product traceability. At the same time, we will develop value-chain linkages from production to consumption, improve seed quality, and ensure food safety."

By Quang Minh – Translated by Thu Hien, Minho