Source: Can Tho Newspaper
With three major river mouths flowing into the East Sea—Soai Rap (Vam Lang, Go Cong Dong district), and the Tieu and Dai estuaries (Tien River)—Tien Giang province boasts a 32-kilometer coastline in the Go Cong area, offering ideal conditions for the development of diverse marine species.
Bivalve Farming: A Local Strength
The mangrove ecosystem along Go Cong’s coast provides a perfect habitat for bivalve mollusks to spawn and thrive. Surveys show that natural spat of clams and blood cockles are concentrated in Ong Mao, Ong Lieu (Go Cong Dong District) and Con Ngang (Tan Phu Dong District). These shellfish are considered among the best quality in Vietnam, highly favored by domestic and international buyers.
Tien Giang now has 2,200 hectares of clam farming, yielding around 20,000 tons of commercial clams annually for export. In the key farming area of Tan Thanh Beach, traders purchase clams for VND 20,000–25,000/kg depending on size (50–60 pcs/kg). With yields of 15 tons per hectare, farmers earn between VND 300–400 million/ha (~USD 12,000–16,000).
The clam farming sector supports over 100,000 workers annually in coastal Tien Giang. During peak harvest, the sector employs 3,000–3,500 laborers, earning VND 50,000–60,000 per hour for clam gathering.
ASC Certification Opens Global Markets
To increase value and pursue sustainability, Tien Giang province, ICAFIS, OXFAM, and Go Cong Dong District authorities have developed a clam fishery management area aligned with MSC standards. On November 15, 2023, clams from Go Cong Dong received ASC certification, making it the 4th ASC-certified clam farming area in Vietnam—and in the world. The certified area spans 350 hectares, managed by the district’s estuary management board.
In Tan Phu Dong, Mr. Tran Ngoc Chi, Director of Phu Tan Fisheries Cooperative, manages 500 hectares of tidal flats at Con Ngang, with 1,050 member households. In early 2025, the co-op harvested over 4.2 tons of blood cockle seed, sold at VND 1.3–1.7 million/kg.
Shrimp Farming Expands with Technological Advances
In addition to clam and cockle farming, shrimp aquaculture is growing in Tan Phu Dong and Go Cong Dong. The coastal shrimp farming area spans 4,895 hectares, with 3,200 ha in intensive farming, yielding ~19,850 tons/year, mostly from the two coastal districts.
Shrimp yields from two-stage farming models are especially promising. With initial pilot areas of 30 ha across 14 households, farmers achieve 40–70 tons/ha, compared to 15–20 tons/ha under conventional systems. For example, Mr. Tran Quang Thanh in Kieng Phuoc commune converted 2 hectares of saline land into shrimp ponds, consistently earning VND 300–400 million per year in profit (~USD 12,000–16,000).
Policy Support and High-Tech Models
According to Mr. Doan Van Phuong, Director of the Tien Giang Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province continues to promote high-tech, climate-adaptive aquaculture, including:
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Eco-farming models
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Global certifications: VietGAP, GlobalGAP, ASC
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Two- and three-stage shrimp farming systems
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Circular and green economy practices
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Digital traceability and data systems
Tien Giang currently has:
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422.47 hectares of certified aquaculture (VietGAP, GlobalGAP, ASC)
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Over 320 hectares under two- or three-stage shrimp farming
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These models account for 14.5% of intensive shrimp area and 15% of total shrimp output
Processing & Investment Potential
The province is also implementing policies to attract investment in seafood processing and feed manufacturing. A number of processing plants for export-quality seafood have been developed, creating strong momentum for Tien Giang’s aquaculture sector to break through and scale up in the coming years.