Agriculture and environment sector to step up crackdown on IUU fishing

On the afternoon of April 2, 2026, Minister Tran Duc Thang and Acting Deputy Minister Trinh Viet Hung chaired a quarterly briefing and set out the key tasks for the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for Q2 2026. The meeting was held in person with online participation from ministry leaders and representatives of affiliated units.

Q2 2026 priorities: institutions, investment, and governance

During the briefing, the Ministry identified priority tasks aimed at creating breakthroughs for the sector. The top priority is to complete the institutional framework by accelerating the drafting and promulgation of key laws, including the Environmental Protection Law (amended), the Land Law (amended), and the Law on Resources and Environment of the Sea and Islands.

In parallel, the Ministry will implement schemes and decrees aligned with the model of the new government term. This includes streamlining staffing and promoting financial autonomy at public service units. Public investment disbursement will also be accelerated, linked to the responsibility of the heads.

Central resolutions and sector restructuring

A notable focus is the synchronized implementation of major central resolutions, with an emphasis on unlocking scientific and technological resources, promoting innovation, and advancing digital transformation across the sector.

In the near term, the sector will reorganize to raise value, develop value chains, and broaden markets, including through e-commerce. At the same time, decisive measures will be implemented to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) to meet international recommendations.

Resource management, environmental protection, and compliance

The Ministry will tighten resource and mineral management and environmental protection, particularly to ensure material supplies for key projects, control pollution, and monitor high-risk projects.

It will also strengthen food safety inspection, seed management, forest protection, and forest fire prevention to ensure full compliance with state management tasks.

Leadership emphasis amid complex conditions

Given the domestic and global situation remains complex, the leadership emphasized the need to raise responsibility, strengthen discipline and administrative order, and innovate leadership and governance methods. Fostering an initiative and creative mindset—daring to think, to act, and to take responsibility—is highlighted as a key factor for the sector to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, sustain growth, and move toward sustainable development.

Q1 2026 performance

In Q1 2026, the Agriculture and Environment sector maintained positive growth despite difficulties, rising by 3.5% to 3.7%. Agricultural, forestry and fishery production remained broadly stable, while exports continued to perform strongly.

• Total export turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products: 16.69 billion USD, up 5.9% year-on-year.
• Imports: 11.9 billion USD.
• Trade surplus: about 4.78 billion USD, up 12% compared to Q1 2025.