On the afternoon of June 17, during a National Assembly session on socio-economic issues, Deputy Nguyen Thi Lan (Hanoi) proposed several key recommendations to enhance Vietnam's agricultural exports. Her remarks were based on the Government's supplementary report on the implementation of the 2024 socio-economic development plan and early progress on the 2025 plan.
While expressing her agreement with the Government's 11 major proposed solutions, Ms. Lan particularly emphasized the practical viewpoints shared by Deputies Tran Hoang Ngan (Ho Chi Minh City) and Nguyen Thi Thu Nguyet (Dak Lak), especially regarding agriculture - a sector full of potential yet also facing numerous challenges.
According to Lan, despite the global economic slowdown, increasing climate risks, and rising geopolitical instability, Vietnam has made remarkable progress thanks to the determined leadership of the Party, the National Assembly, and the Government, supported by the concerted efforts of the political system. Notably, 2025 is identified as a pivotal year marked by major Central Party decisions, with Resolutions No. 66 and 68 clearly outlining the goal of sustainable development across three pillars: economic, social, and environmental.
Prof. Dr., National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Thi Lan (Hanoi). Photo: QH.Encouraging signs, but not yet robust
Data shows that in 2024, Vietnam's agricultural, forestry, and fishery export turnover hit a record, up to 18.7% compared to the previous year. The agricultural trade surplus reached 17.9 billion USD, underscoring the sector's vital contribution to the national economy.
However, beneath these achievements lie several concerns. Multiple shipments of Vietnamese agricultural products have recently been rejected or denied customs clearance for failing to meet technical or food safety standards in importing countries. According to Lan, this is not just a problem for a few businesses but reflects systemic shortcomings - from the planning of growing areas and quality control to traceability, farming practices, and compliance with technical requirements by farmers.
Four core recommendations
To address these challenges, Deputy Lan proposed four strategic solutions to ensure more sustainable agricultural exports:
First, conduct a comprehensive review of key agricultural export products to fully understand their strengths and weaknesses across the entire value chain — from seeds and growing areas to cultivation techniques, processing, storage, and market access. Applying science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation must be integrated and consistent throughout.
Second, thoroughly analyze the technical barriers of export markets and use these insights to adjust domestic policies, improve raw material zoning, enhance quality monitoring, and strengthen trade operations so that Vietnamese products can better meet international standards.
Third, scientific and technological experts, research institutes, and universities should be mobilized to participate throughout the production chain — from analyzing soil and water quality and chemical residues to developing sustainable farming models. This is essential for improving the capacity of farmers and enterprises in global markets.
Fourth, focus on building a skilled workforce by establishing technical teams and regularly training farmers, cooperatives, and businesses on production processes, market standards, and traceability. At the same time, Vietnam must boost deep processing to enhance added value and develop strong national branding.
Lessons from durian: From trend to strategy
Citing durian as an example — a strategic crop showing remarkable growth, Ms. Lan shared that exports in the first six months of 2024 reached $1.5 billion, a striking figure. However, the rapid and "overheated" growth also brought many issues: lack of synchronized zoning, unstable quality, high chemical residues, heavy dependence on the Chinese market, weak traceability systems, and loose linkages between farmers and enterprises.
Dak Lak is the province with the largest durian-growing area in the country, covering nearly 40,000 hectares, with a projected output of over 400,000 tons in 2025. Photo: PC.From this situation, Ms. Lan recommended that the Government and local authorities re-evaluate current production practices, natural conditions, and policy frameworks in central durian-growing provinces such as Tien Giang, Dak Lak, Lam Dong, and Dong Nai to develop suitable investment and zoning plans.
At the same time, selecting and developing varieties tailored to specific ecological regions is vital, as improving soil and water quality and establishing export-standard sustainable farming models is critical. Artificial intelligence (AI) should be applied to monitor, test, and provide early warnings on chemical residues, enabling farmers and enterprises to adjust their practices promptly.
Finally, specialized training should be organized for all actors in the value chain - from growers to processors and exporters. Investments in deep processing and national branding for Vietnamese durian are essential for creating long-term, sustainable added value.
According to Deputy Lan, maintaining market share and expanding to new markets requires Vietnamese agricultural products to meet strict quality, safety, and transparency standards throughout the supply chain. Science and technology must be the foundation for quality control, value enhancement, and green, sustainable agricultural development.
"This is a prerequisite not just for selling Vietnamese agricultural products but for building trust and long-lasting international branding," she emphasized.