The lecture discusses issues regarding food safety in Vietnam's agriculture industry. As Vietnam transitioned to a market economy in the 1980s, livestock populations and incomes increased, creating demand for safer food. However, establishing traceability is difficult due to small farm scales and many supply chain actors. Additionally, multiple government ministries complicate regulation and consumers lack information to identify safe products. Factors like low awareness of hygiene among farmers and lack of education for consumers and officials pose challenges. Potential solutions discussed include forming cooperatives to share costs of traceability systems, streamlining bureaucracy, promoting private sector branding, and conducting educational seminars through collaborations between Vietnam and Japanese universities. Strong collaboration between government and the private sector is needed to address food

1. Title of the Lecture : Vietnam Agriculture and Issues on Food Safety
Lecturer’s Name : Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Hoa
Date of the Lecture : February 22, 2010
Student Name : Lary Nel B. Abao
Background. The introduction of economic reforms (the “doimoi” policy) in Vietnam in the 1980s
started a transition process from a centrally-planned economy to a market-oriented one. The
“doimoi” marked a major turning point in the development of animal production. The number of
livestock population increased, especially of pigs. Income per capita has been increasing. And,
consumers with growing incomes are increasingly demanding more, better quality and safe
animal and animal-derived products. Because of these developments, the Vietnamese ministries
in the different administrative levels have issued legal documents related to veterinary, animal
movement and slaughtering activities since the 1990s. Although, there have been many legal
documents (related to food safety control management) that were issued, the situation of food
safety is not much improved.
Major Points. Dr. Nguyen mentioned many issues related to food safety control and
management in Vietnam. According to her, it is so difficult to make traceability for Vietnamese
agricultural foods because the production scale of farmers is small. Besides, there are many
independent actors that are involved in the route from farm to table. Secondly, there are many
administrative organizations involved in controlling and managing food safety such as the Ministry
of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Fishery, Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Trade, and Ministry of Finance. Thirdly, in terms of quality,
hygiene, and safety, it is difficult for consumers to classify agricultural goods from market.
Fourthly, there is a low awareness of farmers and other actors in the food supply chain on food
hygiene and safety. And lastly, there is no course on food hygiene and safety for consumers,
students, and officers in different administrative levels.
Discussion. Just like in other developing countries, the issues in food safety and management
discussed in Vietnam are also endemic. The main reason would be the lack of funds to
implement food safety systems, which admittedly are costly. On the issue of the provision of
traceability systems, they key here is to form a cooperative coupled with government financial
support. Sharing for the cost of the traceability system can be borne by the cooperative and the
government. This is being done in primary agricultural export commodities in the Philippines like
chicken and pork. On issue number two (2), the key here is to streamline the bureaucracy.
There is a need to remove unnecessary layers or ministries. Also, inter-coordination among
agencies involved is extremely important. There is also a need to regularly (monthly) consult with
the private sector being affected by the regulations being issued. This is also being successfully
done in the livestock sector in the Philippines.
On issue number three (3), the important thing here is branding. This is done by private
companies. A brand connotes a certain quality, hygiene, and safety. So, Vietnamese consumers
should patronize branded agricultural products. They should be aware, however, that there is a
premium price for quality and safety of branded goods. And lastly, issues four (4) and five (5) are
intertwined. There is really a need to conduct seminars on food hygiene and safety because it is
extremely important. Obihiro University can help on this one under the guise of a project. Also,
there are already Vietnamese students who had studied or are studying food hygiene and safety
in Obihiro University. Therefore, it is their moral obligation to help Vietnam in this area as past
and present Japanese government scholars. They should conduct seminars on food hygiene and
safety. On a final note, it really takes strong government-private sector collaboration to solve
issue in food safety and quality on Vietnamese agricultural goods. With a strong will, it can be
done.