Vietfish 2026 Opens in Ho Chi Minh City, Showcasing Vietnam's Industry Ambition
The Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 officially opened on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the theme "Innovation and Sustainability," this 27th edition is the largest Vietfish to date, spanning over 14,000 square meters with 568 booths set up by 335 businesses from 17 countries and territories.
Vietnam's seafood exports reached nearly $6.9 billion in the first seven months of 2026, up 12.4% year-on-year. The industry is targeting full-year exports of approximately $12 billion. Despite challenges including higher ocean freight costs and shifting trade policies among partner countries, the sector has maintained its growth momentum.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Vũ Văn Hưng noted that aquaculture is one of Vietnam's key export industries, with its position in international markets steadily rising. He emphasized that food safety, product traceability, environmental protection, carbon emission reduction, and social responsibility are increasingly becoming critical thresholds for seafood entering international markets.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thị Thắng highlighted that Vietnam's seafood industry has accelerated its shift from capture fisheries toward deeper processing, product diversification, and higher-value products that meet increasingly stringent international standards.
VASEP Chairman Đỗ Ngọc Tài noted that Vietfish has evolved from a conventional trade exhibition into a strategic platform for the entire industry value chain - from aquaculture, fishing, and processing to technology, logistics, and distribution. For the first time, the exhibition features a "hosted buyer programme" connecting global importers with Vietnamese seafood businesses, along with site visits to farms and processing facilities in the Mekong Delta.
Another highlight of Vietfish 2026 is the first-ever Norwegian national pavilion, bringing together 11 Norwegian companies and organizations. The exhibition also features livestream sales sessions in partnership with TikTok Shop and FoodMap to reach younger consumers through e-commerce channels.
