Potential and Advantages
With 11,288 hectares of suitable water surface and an annual specialty fish production exceeding 1,800 tons, Tuyen Quang possesses ideal conditions for expanding its specialty aquaculture industry, thereby boosting local incomes. Na Hang district stands out as a prime example of this growth. Utilizing 4,583 hectares of water surface, the district achieves an estimated annual aquatic product output of over 500 tons. Specialty fish farming has become a pivotal agricultural sector in Na Hang, experiencing substantial expansion. Currently, 96 households, three enterprises, and two cooperatives manage 1,288 fish cages. Residents in Son Phu, Yen Hoa, Da Vi communes, and Na Hang town are leveraging the Na Hang ecological lake to cultivate high-value species such as hemibagrus, barbel, sturgeon, bagrid catfish, semilabeo notabilis, and anh vu fish, yielding significant economic returns.
Residents in Na Hang farm specialty fish
Trinh Ngoc Ha, a member of the Na Hang Aquaculture Cooperative in To 7, Na Hang town, reports that his family has been engaged in cage fish farming since 2018. Operating 120 cages at Ben Thuy, primarily for hemibagrus and sturgeon, they adhere strictly to technical guidelines to ensure optimal growth and safety. With proper management, they supply 60 - 70 tons of fish annually. Hemibagrus fetches 90,000 - 100,000 VND per kilogram, while sturgeon ranges from 250,000–300,000 VND per kilogram, resulting in an annual income exceeding 500 million VND after expenses.
Pham Anh Toan, Director of Duc Nguyen Aquatic Products Co., Ltd., emphasizes the importance of large, clean water sources and meticulous care for successful specialty fish farming. Having nearly a decade of experience in the Na Hang ecological lake with 30 cages, including ten for specialty fish like barbel, spotted hemibagrus, and bagrid catfish, he has achieved consistent success. These species, reaching 2.5 - 3 kg after three years, command prices of 480,000 - 600,000 VND per kilogram, generating substantial revenue for his company.
Similarly, Nguyen Quang Minh from Na Tong village, Thuong Lam commune (Lam Binh district), utilizes the 8,000-hectare Na Hang–Lam Binh ecological lake to farm 150 cages of bagrid catfish, hemibagrus, and mahseer at Ben Thuy, Thuong Lam commune. The pristine water from the primary forest streams ensures healthy fish and flavorful meat. His family supplies 60 - 70 tons of fish annually, earning over 400 million VND after expenses.
Strengthening Market Linkages
Despite the industry's successes, unstable market demand remains a challenge. Most farmers rely on middlemen and local restaurants for sales, with limited direct agreements.
To address this, the Tuyen Quang Department of Agriculture and Environment is implementing its 2019 - 2025 Fisheries Development Plan. This includes intensifying training on VietGAP-certified cage fish farming, diversifying species, and focusing on high-value freshwater varieties. The province is also enhancing trade promotion, branding, and traceability systems. Production linkages between businesses and farmers, or the formation of cooperatives and partnerships, are encouraged to attract investment and develop a more market-oriented industry.
By 2025, Tuyen Quang aims to establish aquaculture, particularly specialty cage fish farming, as a key commercial sector in its agricultural structure, with a total aquatic product output exceeding 9,714 tons, including over 1,144 tons of specialty fish.
Nguyen Thanh Hieu
