VIETFISH 2026: Spotlight value-added products, green development

VASEP just held a press conference in Ho Chi Minh City to introduce VIETFISH 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition. The three-day event will take place from August 19 to 21 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC).

This year’s VIETFISH is themed “Innovation - Sustainability.” To Tuong Lan, Vice Secretary General of VASEP, said that as global markets impose increasingly stringent requirements on quality, traceability, and environmental and social responsibility, while technology continues to drive profound changes in production and business, “innovation” and “sustainability” have become inevitable directions for the seafood industry’s development.

VIETFISH 2026 marks a new milestone in scale, with a total exhibition area of more than 14,000 sq m, including an expanded Lobby area adjacent to Halls A and B. The event brings together 568 booths from 335 companies across 17 countries and territories, creating a comprehensive ecosystem spanning aquaculture, fishing, processing, technology, equipment, distribution and consumption.

One of the key highlights of VIETFISH 2026 is the promotion of Vietnam’s seafood processing capabilities and the development of value-added products. Rather than focusing primarily on traditional semi-processed products, an increasing number of businesses are investing in deeper processing and developing convenient, ready-to-eat products and food solutions tailored to the needs of modern retail chains, restaurants, hotels and e-commerce platforms.

Green and sustainable development remains a major focus at VIETFISH 2026. Requirements related to ESG, combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and international sustainability standards will be discussed and updated throughout the exhibition. Many businesses will showcase production models aimed at saving energy, reducing emissions, using environmentally friendly packaging and promoting responsible aquaculture.

Notably, VIETFISH 2026 marks the first time the official Hosted Buyer Program has been introduced as part of the event. The program will welcome international buyers from key markets, providing Vietnamese businesses with opportunities to meet directly and establish long-term partnerships.

Do Ngoc Tai, Chairman of VASEP, said: “We hope every meeting at VIETFISH 2026 will open up new orders, markets and partnerships. Every piece of information shared will provide valuable insights and stories that can be further disseminated, helping to strengthen the image of a dynamic, responsible and innovative Vietnamese seafood industry committed to sustainable development.”

Alongside export markets, VIETFISH 2026 is also turning its attention to the domestic market, a high-potential channel for Vietnam’s seafood industry. Through business-matching and product-promotion activities, the exhibition provides companies with opportunities to connect with distributors, retailers, restaurants, hotels, institutional catering services and modern consumer channels, thereby expanding business opportunities, strengthening domestic brands and reducing reliance on major export markets.

In addition to direct business-matching activities, VIETFISH 2026 is piloting live-stream sales sessions on TikTok Shop for the first time, in cooperation with TikTok Vietnam and FoodMap, a strategic partner of TikTok Shop.

The initiative aims to bring seafood products closer to younger consumers, particularly Generation Z, while giving businesses new opportunities to explore digital product promotion and distribution channels.

To Tuong Lan said Kantar research shows that Gen Z consumers tend to prioritize meals that are quick, simple and convenient. Some 41% of meals chosen by this consumer group are driven by convenience, significantly higher than the overall average of 26% among consumers.

This trend presents major opportunities for deeply processed, ready-made, high-value-added seafood products, including Ready-to-Eat, Ready-to-Cook, and Ready-to-Heat products.