Towards Building a Distinctive Brand for Phu Tho Fisheries

With its vast potential for aquaculture, Phu Tho province is actively implementing solutions to enhance productivity and product quality, aiming to establish a unique brand for its local fisheries. The Hoa Binh reservoir area, in particular, offers significant advantages for cage farming, especially for high-economic-value species.

The Hoa Binh reservoir area possesses a significant advantage for the development of cage farming, particularly for high-economic-value aquatic species.

During the 2021–2025 period, the province’s fisheries sector achieved important results, contributing substantially to socio-economic development. The added value of the sector grew by an average of 3.5% per year, accounting for 8.5% of the total Agriculture-Forestry-Fisheries sector.

By 2025, the total aquaculture area reached 19,900 hectares, with 6,372 cages operating on rivers and reservoirs. Average annual production reached 83,900 tons, an 18.7% increase compared to 2020. Currently, the province boasts 68 concentrated aquaculture zones covering 4,349 hectares, including 24 facilities certified under VietGAP standards.

Furthermore, the province has 13 facilities and 7 household businesses dedicated to processing and preservation. Signature products include fish fillets, fish cakes, fish floss, and frozen packaged shrimp, with five processed products recognized with 4-star OCOP ratings.

Xuan Son Lake in Xuan Dai Commune is focusing on the development of high-value indigenous fish species.

Efforts to protect and replenish aquatic resources have gained widespread public support through annual fish-releasing activities. The aquaculture structure has shifted positively toward market-demand species, such as Sturgeon, Bagrid catfish, Black carp, Bagarius (Cá chiên), and Spinibarbus denticulatus (Cá bỗng), alongside high-yield traditional species.

In the 2021–2025 period, the state budget allocated over 140 billion VND to support production, helping average income reach 199 million VND per hectare.

For the 2025–2030 period, the Department of Agriculture and Environment plans to restructure the sector toward specialized commodity production and value-chain development. This approach ensures bio-safety, disease control, and environmental hygiene to meet high-quality standards for both domestic consumption and export.

To realize these goals, the province will focus on developing specific product brands, such as “Da River Fish & Shrimp - Hoa Binh” and “Cam Khe Giant Freshwater Prawn,” while establishing at least two new fishery brands. The province also aims to have high-value and indigenous species account for over 70% of the breeding structure and will develop at least three brands for seed fish.

Ms. Phan Thi Luyen, Deputy Head of the Sub-Department of Livestock, Veterinary, and Fisheries, stated: "We are advising the Department of Agriculture and Environment to identify specific locations and scales for concentrated commodity zones. The focus will be on specialized farming, applying advanced technologies, and fostering sustainable growth. By reorganizing production, attracting investment, and enhancing value-chain linkages—coupled with origin traceability and brand building—we are committed to establishing a sustainable brand for Phu Tho fisheries."

Quan Lâm