Technology is transforming shrimp farming along the coast of Vinh Long.

Many shrimp farming areas in Vinh Long are applying digital technology to save energy, control carbon emissions, and meet the requirements of the export market.

The area for high-tech aquaculture is increasing rapidly.

In recent years, many coastal shrimp farming areas in Vinh Long province have undergone significant changes. In ponds that once relied heavily on manual methods, automatic water aerators, lined ponds, dissolved oxygen meters, salinity monitors, and continuously operating environmental surveillance cameras are increasingly appearing.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long province, the total area for whiteleg shrimp farming in the province increased from 19,640 hectares in 2020 to approximately 21,500 hectares in 2025. Of this, the area for high-tech farming increased rapidly from 2,382 hectares to about 7,000 hectares. Production also increased sharply from over 121,000 tons to approximately 293,000 tons.

In Vinh Long, the area for high-tech whiteleg shrimp farming has rapidly increased from 2,382 hectares to approximately 7,000 hectares. Photo: Minh Dam.

In the first four months of 2026 alone, the area for whiteleg shrimp farming in the province reached over 11,125 hectares, an increase of more than 5% compared to the same period, with a harvested output of over 53,000 tons. Of this, high-tech farming accounted for approximately 3,625 hectares, with a production of over 31,000 tons.

Not only is the farming area expanding, but it's also noteworthy that farming methods are shifting towards technology- and data-driven management instead of relying entirely on traditional experience.

In many coastal farming areas such as My Long, Long Vinh, Long Hoa, and Duyen Hai ward, multi-stage and recirculating aquaculture models for shrimp farming are becoming increasingly popular. Farmers are shifting from extensive and semi-intensive farming to intensive and super-intensive farming with stricter environmental control.

In Long Hoa commune, Mr. Pham Dac Tam, Chairman of the People's Committee, said that the locality currently has 2,592 households engaged in aquaculture with an area of ​​over 2,634 hectares, achieving more than 90% of the year's plan. Of these, 264 households are engaged in industrial farming with an area of ​​322 hectares, while the rest is extensive farming combined with other methods.

Total seafood production harvested to date has reached over 5,476 tons, nearly 52% of the annual plan, with aquaculture alone accounting for approximately 2,898 tons. According to Mr. Tam, the locality has recorded losses in 17 industrial shrimp farming households, affecting an area of ​​over 5.5 hectares, suspected to be related to white spot disease and hepatopancreatic necrosis.

"This shows that shrimp farming is no longer entirely dependent on experience but requires enhanced environmental monitoring, biosecurity control, and the application of technology in pond management," said Mr. Pham Dac Tam.

Smart device applications are being used to support monitoring the shrimp farming environment. Photo: Minh Đảm.

According to experts, the multi-stage farming model helps shrimp gradually adapt to the environment, reduces mortality rates, and limits the risk of disease outbreaks. Meanwhile, the pond-lined system combined with recirculating treatment helps control water quality, reduce organic pollution, and conserve water resources in the context of increasingly complex climate change.

In addition, automated monitoring devices are helping farmers continuously track indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, and salinity. Many systems can provide direct alerts via phone when the pond environment experiences unusual fluctuations, allowing farmers to take early action instead of waiting for shrimp to develop diseases as before.

A reduced-emission approach to shrimp farming.

Beyond just automating pond farming, many technology companies are beginning to approach shrimp farming in a way that reduces carbon emissions. With major markets like the EU, the US, and Japan increasingly tightening low-carbon, net-zero, and emission traceability standards, the Vietnamese shrimp industry faces the need to transition to energy-efficient farming models and data-driven environmental control.

According to aquaculture experts, emissions in shrimp farming currently mainly come from electricity consumption for water aerators and oxygenation systems, and the loss of organic feed in the ponds. Therefore, the application of IoT, AI, and automation technologies is becoming an important direction to optimize operations and reduce resource consumption.

Thanks to optimized operation and data-driven environmental control, TOMGOXY® helps reduce electricity consumption from approximately 5,000 kWh to about 2,000 kWh per ton of commercial shrimp. Photo: Minh Đảm.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thanh My, representative of RYNAN Technologies, the TOMGOXY® farming model applies a real-time pond environment monitoring system, combined with automatic control of water aerators and oxygen to reduce electricity consumption and limit the generation of CO₂ and CH₄ during the farming process.

The model also integrates various technological devices such as a high-efficiency oxygenation system, automatic shrimp feeders, devices to control algae growth, and devices to repel birds around the ponds. Thanks to optimized operation and environmental control using data, TOMGOXY® helps reduce electricity consumption from approximately 5,000 kWh to about 2,000 kWh per ton of commercial shrimp, while also reducing feed waste and improving pond management efficiency.

According to experts, the trend of reducing carbon emissions in aquaculture is no longer an experimental option but is becoming a crucial condition for maintaining the competitiveness of Vietnamese shrimp in the global market.

Another notable change is the declining reliance on antibiotics. Probiotics, biosecure farming practices, and standards such as VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and ASC are being expanded to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of importing markets.

By 2030, the total area for whiteleg shrimp farming in Vinh Long province is expected to reach approximately 26,200 hectares, of which about 10,000 hectares will utilize high technology. Photo: Minh Dam.

According to seafood processing businesses, traceability and residue control have now become mandatory "passports" if they want to maintain exports to major markets such as the EU, the US, or Japan. This forces shrimp farming to gradually shift towards a transparent, digitized production model with strict control over the farming process.

However, the technological transition also presents numerous challenges. High-tech farming requires significant investment in electricity systems, ponds, water treatment, monitoring equipment, and high-quality breeding stock. Environmental pressure in concentrated farming areas is also increasing if development is not properly controlled.

According to Mr. Pham Minh Truyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long province, the locality will continue to develop shrimp farming in an industrial, high-tech, and sustainable direction, prioritizing recirculating aquaculture models, two-stage farming, and the application of wastewater treatment technology and biosafety management.

Along with planning for concentrated farming areas, the province is also aiming to strengthen digital transformation in production management, environmental monitoring, and product traceability. It is promoting linkages between businesses, cooperatives, and farmers to form sustainable value chains.

By 2030, the total area for whiteleg shrimp farming in the province is expected to reach approximately 26,200 hectares, of which about 10,000 hectares will utilize high technology.

By 2025, the total shrimp farming area in Vinh Long province is expected to reach approximately 69,800 hectares, including 7,500 hectares of high-tech farming. Whiteleg shrimp production is projected at around 293,000 tons, and tiger shrimp at over 18,820 tons. In key farming areas, high-tech farming models yield 50-70 tons/ha, with profits reaching 500-700 million VND/ha/season. Notably, the "Tra Vinh Shrimp" certification mark has been protected by the Intellectual Property Office since 2023 for various groups of commercial shrimp and shrimp larvae products.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/cong-nghe-thay-doi-nghe-nuoi-tom-ven-bien-vinh-long-d812592.html