Accounting for around 50% of Viet Nam’s total output, Gia Lai ocean tuna has been making its way into some of the world’s most demanding markets, steadily affirming its position on the global seafood export map.
From traditional craft to national brand
With a coastline stretching more than 134 kilometres, eastern Gia Lai is blessed with fertile lagoons, sheltered bays, and expansive territorial waters. These natural advantages have long supported the development of offshore fishing, particularly ocean tuna fishing, one of the province’s traditional livelihoods dating back decades.
Statistics show the province is home to nearly 6,000 fishing boats, of which more than 1,400 are dedicated to tuna fishing. This fleet is not only large in number but also well-equipped with modern technology, thanks to support from national and local sustainable fisheries programmes. Moving away from traditional preservation methods, Gia Lai’s fishermen have quickly adopted advanced Japanese techniques such as spinal cord removal, bloodletting, and nerve breaking. These practices help improve the quality of the tuna immediately after being caught.
Bui Van Xep, a fisherman from Hoai Nhon Bac Ward, shared: “The province supported 30 boats, so I have been following Japanese technology ever since. It involves bleeding, spinal cord removal, and nerve breaking, which keep the fish fresh. I have been doing this for over 10 years now, and every buyer recognises the quality.”
Thanks to these innovations, Gia Lai tuna not only retains its freshness but also meets the stringent standards of EU and other global markets, which place great emphasis on sustainable fishing and preservation methods.
Currently, Gia Lai’s annual tuna output exceeds 14,000 tonnes, accounting for roughly 50% of the nation’s total. In the first eight months of 2025 alone, production reached nearly 10,000 tonnes - an impressive figure given the impact of climate change on fisheries across Viet Nam. This highlights the stability and effectiveness of Gia Lai’s tuna industry.
Beyond fishing, the province has built a comprehensive ecosystem spanning capture, processing, and distribution, making tuna a spearhead of its seafood exports.
With modern fishing ports such as Quy Nhon, De Gi, and Tam Quan, Gia Lai has attracted more than 20 companies and facilities engaged in tuna purchasing and processing. This network facilitates smooth product distribution and strengthens the province’s export capacity.
Tran Thi Du, a representative of Anh Nguyen Company, said: “I feel proud that ocean tuna fishing here is so well developed. Locals are proud to live by this trade. From the early days of small-net fishing, people have gradually prospered—many now own houses and cars, all thanks to tuna.”
The tuna sector not only provides a stable livelihood for tens of thousands of fishermen but also contributes more than 36% of the agricultural, forestry, and fishery output of Gia Lai Province. Each year, thousands of tonnes of tuna are exported to the EU and other developed countries, helping promote the image of Vietnamese seafood on the international stage.
From a governance perspective, Nguyen Cong Binh, Deputy Director of Gia Lai’s Fisheries Sub-Department, affirmed: “We regard this as one of our traditional trades and core strengths. In recent years, we have focused on supporting fishermen and communities in developing this industry, particularly through technical assistance to enhance fishing efficiency.”
Building an international brand
One of the key factors behind the stable and sustainable development of Gia Lai’s ocean tuna industry lies in the province’s strategic vision: combining exploitation with conservation and applying science and technology.
Nguyen Tuan Thanh, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee, affirmed: “Given its unique terrain, soil, and climate, Gia Lai is a leading province in marine fishing, particularly with ocean tuna, which has reached global markets, has become a renowned brand, and has established itself as a flagship product of high economic value. The province has also adopted a policy of sustainable fisheries, ensuring reasonable growth while protecting marine resources, and promoting the application of science and technology in fishing, preservation, and processing.”
Accordingly, Gia Lai has implemented a series of measures, such as installing vessel monitoring systems, managing fishing fleets under quota allocations, and controlling catch volumes and fishing grounds. These steps are designed to ensure strict compliance with the European Commission’s regulations on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—an essential requirement for maintaining existing export markets and tapping into emerging ones.
Thanks to consistent support policies from both central and local authorities, the livelihoods of fishermen have markedly improved. Many households have escaped poverty and prospered legitimately through the fishing trade. Cooperative fishing teams linked with processing enterprises have formed closed value chains, reducing intermediary costs and enhancing economic efficiency.
In an increasingly competitive global market, building an international brand for Gia Lai ocean tuna has become an urgent mission. The province is working with relevant ministries to develop geographical indications, increase added value through advanced processing, and diversify products such as canned tuna, frozen fillets, and seasoned tuna.
At the same time, fostering integrated supply chains that connect fishing, processing, and distribution in a modern, transparent manner - with full traceability - will provide the foundation for Gia Lai’s tuna to penetrate premium markets and advance towards national brand status. With its sustainable vision and gloval aspirations, Gia Lai ocean tuna industry stands as a testament of Vietnamese fisheries’ capacity to rise to international standards - a source of pride from the nation’s seas to the world’s tables.
