Genetic breakthrough and value chain: Solutions to preserve Vietnamese bird's nest

KHANH HOA A synchronous scientific strategy and strict management are considered a dual solution to protect precious swiftlets and affirm the position of the national brand.

Capital position and dual survival challenge

Speaking at the scientific workshop “Protection and sustainable development of the bird nest population” organized by Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company, Mr. Trinh Minh Hoang, Vice Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, affirmed that Khanh Hoa is known as the largest “bird nest capital” in Southeast Asia, the place that owns the richest natural island bird nest population in the country.

Mr. Trinh Minh Hoang, Vice Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, said that Khanh Hoa is known as the "capital of bird's nest". Photo: Architect.

Bird's nest is not only a valuable product, but also the crystallization of labor tradition, a cultural symbol, a unique brand, contributing to protecting the ecosystem and sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

He said that the bird's nest industry is developing strongly, becoming an industry with high economic value, while at the same time posing many urgent requirements on management, planning, science - technology and sustainable development.

Although the Vietnamese bird's nest industry has reached an output of about 270 tons of raw bird's nests per year and opened up official exports to the Chinese market, this development is facing serious barriers.

Ms. Trinh Thi Hong Van, Chairwoman of the Board of Members of Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company, pointed out the challenges coming from spontaneous development, lack of overall planning and lack of close linkage in the value chain.

She said that most bird's nest houses are built in residential areas, making it difficult to control quality and trace the origin of the products.

The environmental and biological impacts are also obvious: climate change alters foraging routes and threatens habitats, and the use of pesticides reduces insect resources, directly affecting the reproductive capacity of swiftlet flocks.

Ms. Van also mentioned the phenomenon of competition for food resources between house swiftlets and island swiftlets, and the situation of illegal hunting of swiftlets is still complicated, affecting the output of bird nests, causing economic damage and ecological imbalance.

Dr. Nguyen Van Long, Director of the Department of Science and Technology. Photo: KS.

Gene bank construction and Big Data applications

To fundamentally address biological and environmental challenges, Dr. Nguyen Van Long, Director of the Department of Science and Technology (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), has proposed a comprehensive action strategy based on science and technology.

He affirmed that the swiftlet is a rare species and the conservation of its genetic resources is an important scientific task. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment strongly applies modern science and technology in the conservation and sustainable development of the swiftlet population.

In particular, in the era of genomics and climate change, it is necessary to promote research on phylogeny, gene convergence and ecological adaptability of the swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus). Genome sequencing and analysis not only help identify the genetic structure of the population, but also provide a scientific basis for the conservation of purebred gene sources, the restoration of natural populations and adaptation to climate change.

One strategic goal proposed by Mr. Long is to build a national gene bank for swiftlets, combining biotechnology to breed and restore natural populations, while serving research on phylogeny and gene convergence.

Along with that, it is necessary to modernize management and monitoring by applying high technology. Specifically, using drones, AI cameras, IoT sensors to monitor habitats and populations, while taking advantage of Big Data and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze behavior and accurately forecast future fluctuations of swiftlet flocks.

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment also requested state management agencies to promptly complete the national legal framework, especially building a national strategy on conservation and sustainable development of Vietnam's swiftlet population.

A bird's nest house in Khanh Hoa province. Photo: KS.

Perfecting the value chain and the "4 no" mission

From the management and business perspective, institutional improvement and enhanced connectivity are decisive factors for sustainable development.

Dr. Nguyen Van Long proposed to promote the connection of "four houses" (State - Scientists - Businessmen - Farmers) to form a synchronous bird's nest value chain, from exploitation, processing to consumption. At the same time, raise community awareness, thoroughly prevent illegal hunting and destruction of the bird's habitat.

Regarding this issue, Ms. Trinh Thi Hong Van affirmed that Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company determines that protecting the swiftlet population is its core mission, the foundation of its existence and sustainable development.

However, to develop sustainably, according to her, it is necessary to have the cooperation of the State, enterprises, scientists and the community. In particular, leading enterprises such as Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company play a core role in conservation, research, deep processing, product standardization and leading the national value chain, affirming the position of the Vietnamese Salanganes Nest brand in the international arena.

A bird's nest island of Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company. Photo: YSKH.

She also proposed specific solutions to standardize State management such as: Strengthening management by issuing birdhouse codes, building a national database and a product traceability system; at the same time, strictly controlling the construction of birdhouses in residential areas to ensure biosafety.

Regarding the market, the Company commits to investing in deep processing technology, diversifying products (functional foods, cosmetics) to increase value and build a national brand recognition system "Vietnamese bird's nest", expanding export markets.

Finally, Ms. Van emphasized the role of the community in preserving natural habitats and called on people to strictly implement the "4 no's": No hunting, no trading, no transporting, no illegal consumption of swiftlets.

Synchronous cooperation from the strategic, scientific and technological levels, state management to community awareness is the key for the Vietnamese bird's nest industry to develop sustainably and affirm its position in the international arena.

According to data from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, by October 2025, the country will have 29,266 birdhouses, with an average growth rate of 6% per year in the period 2021-2025; the birdhouse population has appeared in 23/34 provinces and cities, with an estimated birdhouse nest output of 234.6 tons of raw birdhouses. Khanh Hoa alone has 1,425 birdhouses, with an output of 14.1 tons, accounting for 6.02% of the country.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/dot-pha-gen-va-chuoi-giai-phap-bao-ton-yen-sao-viet-nam-d782911.html