Viet Nam has introduced a new set of procedures to tighten control over foreign fishing vessels entering its ports.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on March 31 chaired the 33rd meeting of the National Steering Committee for Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, underscoring the need for urgent and comprehensive measures to address shortcomings identified by the European Commission (EC).

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has urged ministries, sectors, and coastal localities to tighten management and take decisive measures to address shortcomings in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, following the latest recommendations by the European Commission (EC).

Viet Nam has cooperated with the European Union (EU) in addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing on a constructive spirit of “listening with sincerity, sharing from the heart, and demonstrating commitment through concrete actions,” Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed on March 19.

The Viet Nam Coast Guard Region 2 Command has exerted efforts to support fishermen and contribute to the nation’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has stressed that wrongdoings by any individual or organisation must not be allowed to affect the country’s overall efforts to have the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning lifted.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the 32nd meeting of the national steering committee for combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing on March 3, which was held in person at the Government headquarters in Ha Noi and connected online with 22 coastal provinces and cities.

A working delegation from the Viet Nam Border Guard High Command conducted an inspection of efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Ho Chi Minh City from February 26 to March 1.

As a delegation from the European Commission (EC) is set to visit Viet Nam to assess efforts against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Ho Chi Minh City is accelerating efforts to complete fleet management and compile dossiers and data in a bid to help remove the EC’s “yellow card” on Vietnamese seafood exports.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on February 25 signed an official dispatch, ordering urgent preparations for the fifth inspection by the European Commission (EC) and reaffirming Viet Nam’s determination to have the “yellow card” warning on its seafood exports removed.

The KN 306 and KN 317 ships (belonging to the Fisheries Surveillance Team No. 3) set sail again, beginning a long-term mission at sea to perform their Tet (Lunar New Year) duty on February 10 when the mainland is bustling with the colours of the new spring.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered the establishment of inter-agency inspection teams to intensify efforts against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing which, he stressed, remains a direct challenge to national credibility, seafood exports and the livelihoods of law-abiding fishermen.

Since the 28th meeting of the National Steering Committee on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has completed and submitted a report on IUU fishing prevention to the European Commission (EC).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked for honest reporting and result-oriented efforts in the combat against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, with the dual aim of having the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood lifted and promoting a sustainable and responsible fisheries industry.

High-tech marine aquaculture not only helps Viet Nam tap its marine potential more effectively and open up a new development pathway, but also makes an important contribution to the strategy to combat IUU fishing, protect the environment, and improve the livelihoods of coastal farmers and fishers. A reporter from Nhan Dan Newspaper spoke with Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Huu Dung, President of the Viet Nam Marine Aquaculture Association.

Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan has affirmed that Malaysia will continue assisting Viet Nam in developing the Halal industry and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has demanded ministries, heads of sectors, and leaders of localities to promote decisive and effective actions to ensure the tasks and targets for 2025 and the 2021–2025 period are achieved with the best possible results, creating momentum for successfully implementing the resolution of the coming 14th National Party Congress.

Viet Nam has spent more than eight years working to address the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning over illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on Vietnamese seafood, from refining its legal framework and tightening vessel management to ensuring transparent traceability. These substantive improvements are laying the groundwork for Viet Nam to enter a decisive phase in removing the “yellow card”.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has underlined that having the European Commission (EC)’s "yellow card" warning over illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing removed in 2025 and sustainably developing the fisheries sector is an urgent and essential task, one that must be completed without delay.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed ministries, sectors, localities and State-owned groups to prioritise maintaining macroeconomic stability and accelerating export growth.