ASAIM Aquaculture Local Coordinator in Vietnam, Mr. Vo Van Binh and ASAIM Marine Specialist, Mr. Hsiang Pin Lan, have made progress in North Vietnam in discussing future cooperation between the National Breeding Center and ASAIM to improve the production and quality of fingerlings in the area using ASAIM recommended aquaculture technology and management. According to Binh, freshwater fish culture is well practiced in North Vietnam. The two major species are Carps and Tilapia, with the mono sex black and red Tilapia contributing more than 50% total production. While carp fry is produced locally, a large proportion of Tilapia fry is sourced from the South and does not meet the requirements in quantity and quality.

The National Breeding Centre is the freshwater seed producer of tilapia and carp in Vietnam. More than 10 million Tilapia fry and six million carps are produced every year. However, the total production is small and does not meet market demand. 

Cooperation between ASA-IM and the Centre will be helpful in increasing production and improve fingerling quality especially for red Tilapia fry that is not sufficiently produced in the North.