Vietnam seafood industry logistics and export risks

The Vietnamese seafood industry is characterized by internal logistical disparities and external market vulnerabilities.

Domestically, seafood trading shows a divide between organized wholesale hubs and unregulated street markets. In Ha Long, the Cao Xanh Ward wholesale market functions as a major organized hub where vessels arrive in the early morning to supply various provinces via specialized transport. Conversely, spontaneous markets in areas like Thu Duc and Hoc Mon in Ho Chi Minh City face hygiene and food safety concerns, with vendors often operating near wastewater, trash, and open sewers.

On the international level, exporters face significant risks due to market concentration. Heavy reliance on specific regions, particularly China, has led to financial instability when consumer preferences or regulations shift. For example, lobster farmers in Khanh Hoa province saw prices drop significantly when Chinese demand shifted toward smaller specimens, and previous trade disruptions occurred when new Chinese import requirements regarding origin management and wildlife protection were implemented.