Shrimp Farming in Vietnam: Law, Sites, Seed, Feed & Costs
A planning guide for commercial shrimp projects in Vietnam — the Fisheries Law as amended from 1 January 2026, provincial procedures, brackishwater siting, FAO yields by system, seed and feed supply and what drives cost. Legal statements link to official sources. Updated 31.10.2026.
Short answer
Shrimp farming in Vietnam is governed by the Fisheries Law (Law No. 18/2017/QH14), whose Article 38 sets the conditions for aquaculture. From 1 January 2026, Law No. 146/2025/QH15 repealed Article 39 and clause 3 of Article 38, so older guidance on aquaculture certificates and licensing may no longer apply; check the 2026 consolidated Fisheries Law and current implementing decrees with the provincial authority for your exact site. Plan land or water-surface rights, intake and discharge, environmental and seed-health obligations site by site. FishMatch does not quote Vietnamese farm prices; commercial projects of USD 250,000 or more can send a private request that the team reviews by hand.
Yields by system and what drives cost in Vietnam
FAO yields for whiteleg shrimp per hectare per crop (2009 technical benchmarks, not Vietnam farm data), with what each system means for a site in Vietnam. FishMatch does not publish a Vietnam price range without a verified local source.
| System | FAO yield (kg/ha/crop) | Stocking | Vietnam planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extensive ponds | 150–500 | 4–10 PL/m² | Extensive and improved-extensive ponds depend on tidal brackishwater and seasonal salinity at the plot; measure both through wet and dry seasons. |
| Semi-intensive ponds | 500–2,000 | 10–30 PL/m² | Pumped exchange and aeration add intake, settling and discharge duties; confirm with the province how intake and effluent are handled at the site. |
| Intensive ponds | 7,000–20,000 | 60–300 PL/m² | Lined ponds with high stocking need reliable power and backup; ask suppliers to state oxygen transfer and power assumptions in writing. |
| Biofloc | 8,000–50,000 | 80–160 PL/m² | Enclosed or covered units suit nursery or constrained sites but depend on uninterrupted power and close water-quality control. |
For reported shrimp project budgets elsewhere, see the shrimp farm cost guide budget bands. Size ponds with the pond volume calculator and the stocking density calculator, and see how aeration is sized in the 10-hectare shrimp pond worked example.
What drives the budget
Confirm the land-use or water-surface right for aquaculture separately from any farm procedure before design.
Set by measured salinity, the planned biomass and the grid connection or generator backup the site needs.
Budget for a nursery stage and documented, health-tested seed; batch traceability belongs in the purchase terms.
State feed type, pellet sizes, protein, storage and source in the brief; convert the harvest target into annual feed with the FCR calculator.
Separate intake and discharge and plan sludge removal; treatment scope depends on the provincial and environmental requirements for the site.
Separate VND operating costs from foreign-currency equipment, freight and duties, and name the receiving port and farm access.
Feed supply for shrimp in Vietnam
Ask each feed source for a documented specification: protein, pellet sizes, water stability and storage life, matched to your growth stages.
State feed type, pellet range, planned daily feed at peak biomass, storage and source. Use the FCR calculator to turn the harvest target into annual feed tonnage.
Convert your production target into annual feed with the FCR calculator; for import versus local sourcing, see how to source and compare aquafeed suppliers.
Where projects are sited
Brackishwater coastal provinces; seasonal salinity, flooding and intake-discharge separation must be measured and confirmed with the province at the plot.
Each province handles its own site procedures; record land or water-surface rights, power and access road before asking for equipment prices.
Permits and compliance
- • Fisheries Law (Law No. 18/2017/QH14), Article 38 — conditions for aquaculture; check the 2026 consolidated text (91/VBHN-VPQH).
- • Law No. 146/2025/QH15 (in force 1 January 2026) repealed Article 39 and clause 3 of Article 38 of the Fisheries Law — confirm with the provincial authority which procedure now applies to your site.
- • Land-use or water-surface rights for aquaculture, confirmed separately.
- • Environmental, water intake and discharge obligations for the site, confirmed with the competent provincial offices.
- • Seed and animal-health documents for post-larvae; health-testing and traceability in the purchase terms.
- • Food-safety and export requirements from the competent authority once you chill, pack or process.
Seed sourcing: see vannamei post-larvae sourcing. Market background: Vietnam aquaculture market guide.
Financing a shrimp project in Vietnam
FishMatch Group is not a lender and does not provide credit, interest or direct funding. Where a project fits, the team can introduce it to independent financing partners, who make their own checks. Lenders generally expect a feasibility study, permit status, evidence of a buyer and an explicit contingency.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- Fisheries Law No. 18/2017/QH14 — FAOLEX
- Law No. 146/2025/QH15 amending 15 laws on agriculture and environment — national legal database (vbpl.vn)
- Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam
- FAO Vietnam fishery and aquaculture overview
- FAO — Cultured aquatic species fact sheet: Penaeus vannamei (2009)
Planning guidance only, not legal advice. Confirm every requirement with the competent authority for your exact site before committing funds.
Planning a shrimp farm in Vietnam?
Send the target tonnage, site and system through the Vietnam request page. The FishMatch team reviews every request by hand before deciding which equipment providers to approach; supplier identities stay confidential, and managed procurement is for projects of USD 250,000 or more.
Start a Vietnam shrimp RFQ