Over the past 7 months, 4 Mekong Delta provinces have earned over 1 billion USD from exports – Long An, 4.35 billion USD; Tien Giang, 3.7 billion USD; Dong Thap, 1.4 billion USD; and Soc Trang, 1 billion USD.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, these localities have been major contributors to domestic consumption and export of rice, seafood, fruits, and vegetables.

The region contributes 95% of Vietnam’s rice export to China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Ivory Coast, and new high-potential markets like Russia, South Africa, Algeria, Angola, and the United Arab Emirates.

Vietnamese fruit and vegetable products are exported to many markets: durian and fresh coconut to China; longan, dragon fruit, and fresh coconut to the US; lychee and longan to Japan; mango and grapefruit to South Korea; and lemon and grapefruit to New Zealand. Seafood products lead Vietnam’s exports, accounting for 60% of the total export value.

Tran Quoc Toan, Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, proposed several measures for the Mekong Delta region. 

“Large production zones and chains need to be built. For exported goods we must ensure quantity, quality, traceability of origin, and brands and trademarks. The region needs to coordinate in promoting its exports so its products can penetrate large demanding markets,” Toan noted.

Mekong Delta provinces are expanding production links, increasing the use of technology, developing a sustainable export strategy, and restructuring exported goods.