When handling Vietnamese farm produce, many people wonder, "What is the state of GMO regulation?" and "Are genetically modified crops actually in circulation?" Honestly, with the complexity of the regulations and the scarcity of information, the local reality is hard to grasp.
This article explains the current state of biotechnology agriculture in Vietnam, the framework of GMO regulation, the adoption status of genetically modified corn, and the latest varietal-improvement trends. We have put together information useful to agricultural stakeholders and food importers.
The positioning of biotechnology agriculture in Vietnam
The Vietnamese government began investing in earnest in agricultural biotechnology R&D around 2005. Behind this were two challenges: raising agricultural productivity and food security.
For Vietnam, where about 28% of the land is farmland, raising yields on limited cultivated land is a national priority. Biotechnology is therefore positioned as an important means to that end.
Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has drawn up the "Agricultural Biotechnology Development Plan 2030," promoting the development of pest- and disease-resistant varieties and drought-tolerant varieties. There are more than 50 research institutions in the country, and technology development through public-private collaboration is advancing.
The framework of GMO regulation and the main laws
Vietnam's GMO regulation spans several laws. Summarizing the main ones gives the following.
| Law or system | Details | Competent ministry |
|---|---|---|
| Law on Genetically Modified Organisms (2008) | The basic law governing GMOs in general | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| Law on Food Safety (2010) | Labeling obligation for GMO foods | Ministry of Health |
| System for permitting commercial cultivation of GMO crops | Management of the list of approved varieties | Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development |
| GMO Food Labeling Rules (revised 2015) | Labeling required when content exceeds 5% | Ministry of Health and Ministry of Science and Technology |
The labeling-obligation threshold is "when the GMO component exceeds 5% of the total." This is far looser than the EU's 0.9% and is on the same level as Japan's 5%.
From a food import-export standpoint, when importing products containing GMO crops from Vietnam into Japan, Japan's Food Sanitation Act and genetically modified food labeling system apply. In addition to local regulations, confirming the laws of the importing country is essential.
The adoption status of genetically modified corn
The most widely adopted GMO crop in Vietnam is corn. Commercial cultivation was first permitted in 2014, and now GM varieties are widely used in the major feed-corn production regions.
The backdrop to adoption
Vietnam consumes about 8 million tonnes of corn a year, but domestic production stops at about 70% of demand. The shortfall is covered mainly by imports from Argentina, Brazil, and the United States, nearly all of which are GM varieties.
One reason GM varieties were accepted domestically is resistance to the corn earworm (a pest). With conventional varieties, pesticide-spraying costs tended to run high, but with GM varieties carrying the Bt gene, some farmers have reported cutting pesticide use by about 40%.
Approved GM corn varieties
The GM corn that Vietnam currently approves for commercial cultivation is as follows.
| Variety name | Trait | Year approved |
|---|---|---|
| MON 89034 | Pest resistance (Bt) | 2014 |
| NK603 | Herbicide tolerance | 2014 |
| MON 89034 × NK603 | Stacked traits | 2015 |
| GA21 | Glyphosate tolerance | 2015 |
Approved varieties are being added in turn, and as of 2025 more than 10 varieties are officially authorized.
The latest varietal-improvement trends
Breeding techniques other than GMO are also developing rapidly. Of particular note is the use of genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9).
Genome editing differs from conventional GMO in that it does not insert foreign genes. In Vietnam, whether genome-edited crops will be treated the same as GMOs is currently under debate, and new guidelines are expected to be drawn up in 2025.
Main research projects
Domestically, varietal-improvement projects such as the following are under way.
Development of salt-tolerant rice
In the Mekong Delta, saltwater damage from sea-level rise is serious. The Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS) is working to develop varieties that can maintain yields even at a salt concentration of 5 per mille.
Breeding high-yield cassava varieties
Cassava (the raw material for tapioca) is one of Vietnam's major export farm products. Improvement of varieties resistant to a plant virus (CMD) is advancing in joint research with international bodies.
Strengthening coffee disease resistance
As a measure against leaf rust in Robusta coffee, marker-assisted selection breeding using disease-resistance genes is being carried out.
The relationship with Japan and implications for importers
Exports of farm produce from Vietnam to Japan are increasing year by year. In 2024 the agriculture and forestry Seafood exports value was up 12% from the prior year, a strong result, with vegetables, fruit, and processed foods as the main items.
Here we organize the points Japanese importers should especially watch regarding GMO.
Checking traceability
Livestock products raised on GM feed carry no "genetically modified" labeling obligation under Japan's labeling system. However, with rising consumer awareness, more buyers are requesting Non-GMO certification.
Obtaining inspection certificates
The Phytosanitary Certificate issued by Vietnamese authorities may contain GM-related information. It is important to scrutinize the document content before importing.
Contract clauses with local suppliers
A structure is required that states in the supplier contract whether GM varieties are used and that carries out regular monitoring.
Summary
Vietnam's biotechnology agriculture is evolving rapidly, from permitting commercial cultivation of GMOs to debate over introducing genome-editing technology.
- GMO regulation is managed under several laws, including the GMO Law and the Food Safety Law, with a labeling-obligation threshold of 5%
- Genetically modified corn has been permitted for commercial cultivation since 2014, and more than 10 varieties are approved
- The use of the latest techniques, including genome editing, is accelerating, such as varietal improvement of salt-tolerant rice and cassava
For Japanese agricultural stakeholders and food importers, accurately grasping trends in Vietnam's GMO regulation is indispensable from a risk-management standpoint, too. Because institutional change is fast, regular information updates are needed.
At VN AGRI, we share the latest information on Vietnamese agriculture.
