Commercially Harvested Seafood of Vietnam
American expertise. Direct seafood sourcing.
We connect North American importers, distributors, retailers and foodservice buyers with qualified seafood processors, buyer-driven product development and direct factory-level communication.
Vietnam's Wild Fisheries: Scale, Quality & Reach
Vietnam operates one of Southeast Asia's largest commercial fishing fleets — over 95,000 vessels working the South China Sea, Gulf of Thailand, and deep Pacific waters. The country's central coast, from Da Nang south to Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen, is the epicenter of Vietnam's tuna and large pelagic fishery, while the southern coast and Mekong Delta region supports major squid, cuttlefish, and demersal fish harvests.
Vietnam's seafood export infrastructure is world-class: hundreds of HACCP-certified processing facilities, cold-chain logistics connecting fishing ports to container terminals, and a government-backed traceability system that tracks catch from vessel to export certificate. For US importers, this means reliable supply, clean documentation, and product that clears FDA inspection consistently.
Vietnam's Key Fishing Regions
Central Coast
Da Nang · Khanh Hoa · Phu Yen · Binh Dinh
Yellowfin tuna, skipjack, marlin, swordfish, reef fish
South China Sea
Ba Ria-Vung Tau · Binh Thuan · Ninh Thuan
Squid, cuttlefish, mackerel, snapper, grouper
Gulf of Thailand
Kien Giang · Ca Mau · Bac Lieu
Squid, octopus, mackerel, sardines, round scad
Offshore Deep Water
Hoang Sa · Truong Sa fishing grounds
Bigeye tuna, albacore, mahi-mahi, wahoo
Commercially Harvested Species
Vietnam's premier wild-catch export
Tuna — Yellowfin & Skipjack
Vietnam's central coast — Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, and Binh Dinh provinces — is home to one of Asia's most productive tuna fisheries. Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) are harvested by longline and purse seine fleets operating in the South China Sea and Western Pacific. We source fresh-chilled loins for sashimi and sushi markets, frozen loins for food service, and canned tuna for retail supply chains.
South China Sea wild harvest
Squid & Cuttlefish
Vietnam is one of the world's top exporters of squid and cuttlefish, harvested by jigging and trawl fleets across the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand. Vietnamese squid — primarily Bigfin Reef Squid and Jumbo Flying Squid — is prized for its clean flavor, firm texture, and excellent processing yield. Cuttlefish from Vietnam's southern coastal waters are a staple in European and Asian markets and increasingly sought in the US food service sector.
Premium demersal wild-catch
Snapper, Grouper & Reef Fish
Vietnam's reef and demersal fisheries produce a wide range of high-value species prized in US retail and food service markets. Red snapper, grouper, sea bass, and emperor fish are harvested by hook-and-line and trap fisheries along Vietnam's central and southern coasts and offshore reef systems. These species command premium pricing in the US market and are increasingly available in export volumes from certified Vietnamese processors.
High-volume commercial species
Mackerel & Small Pelagics
Vietnam's pelagic fisheries harvest large volumes of Indian mackerel, short mackerel, sardines, and anchovies from the South China Sea. These species are the backbone of Vietnam's domestic fish sauce industry and are increasingly exported as frozen whole round, H&G, and fillet product to food service and processing buyers in the Americas. Indian mackerel in particular has strong demand in Latin American and Caribbean markets.
Wild-caught from coastal waters
Octopus & Cephalopods
Vietnam's coastal and offshore waters support productive octopus and cephalopod fisheries, with product exported primarily to Spain, Italy, Japan, and increasingly to the US food service sector. Common octopus and day octopus are harvested by pot and trap fisheries along Vietnam's central coast, processed IQF whole or tentacle-cut, and exported with full cold-chain documentation.
Shellfish & Crustaceans
Shelled Mollusks & Crustaceans
Vietnam's coastal and estuarine waters produce a diverse range of commercially harvested shelled mollusks and crustaceans — from live mud crab and spiny lobster for premium Asian markets to frozen clams, scallops, and oysters for US food service and retail buyers.
Swimming Crab
Blue swimming crab and related swimming crabs
Blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) is one of Vietnam's most commercially significant shellfish exports. Harvested from coastal waters and estuaries along the central and southern coast, swimming crab is processed into pasteurized crabmeat — a premium product for US retail, food service, and sushi markets — as well as cooked and frozen whole and cluster products.
Pasteurized crabmeat · Cooked frozen whole · Crab clusters · Crab meat (lump, claw, special)
Mud Crab
Farmed mud crab, including Ca Mau crab
Ca Mau province in the Mekong Delta is Vietnam's premier mud crab (Scylla serrata) production region. Farmed in mangrove-integrated aquaculture systems, Ca Mau mud crab is prized for its size, meat yield, and roe content. The primary market is live export to China, Hong Kong, and other Asian destinations, with frozen product available for markets where live shipment is not viable.
Live export · Frozen whole · Frozen portions
Spiny & Rock Lobster
Green lobster and ornate spiny lobster
Vietnam exports two commercially significant spiny lobster species: the green lobster (Panulirus homarus) and the ornate spiny lobster (Panulirus ornatus). Both are harvested from reef and rocky bottom habitats along the central coast. Live lobster is the dominant export form, with China the primary destination. Frozen whole and frozen tail products are available for markets requiring non-live formats.
Live export · Frozen whole · Frozen tails
Clams
White/hard clams and other commercial clam varieties
Vietnam's coastal tidal flats and estuaries support productive clam fisheries and aquaculture operations. White clams and hard clams are harvested and processed into frozen whole in-shell, cooked in-shell, and clam meat products for export to US, European, and Asian markets. Clam products are well-suited to food service and retail applications.
Frozen whole in-shell · Cooked in-shell · Clam meat IQF · Half-shell
Scallops
Local scallops plus imported scallops processed in Vietnam
Vietnam processes both locally harvested scallops and imported raw material through its HACCP-certified shellfish processing facilities. Scallop meat is exported frozen in a range of sizes and formats for US food service, retail, and sushi markets. Vietnam's processing cost advantage makes it a competitive source for value-added scallop products.
Frozen scallop meat · IQF dry-pack · Half-shell · Roe-on options
Oysters
Farmed oysters
Farmed oysters from Vietnam's coastal bays and estuaries — particularly from Quang Ninh and Khanh Hoa provinces — are an established export category. Processed oyster meat is exported frozen for use in food service, ready-meal, and retail applications. Vietnam's oyster aquaculture sector continues to expand, with increasing volumes available for export.
Frozen oyster meat · Half-shell frozen · Smoked oysters
Cockles
Blood cockles/ark clams
Blood cockles (Tegillarca granosa) are harvested from tidal mudflats along Vietnam's southern coast and Mekong Delta region. A staple in Southeast Asian cuisine, cockles are exported as whole product or processed cockle meat, primarily to Asian markets. Frozen whole and processed forms are available for export buyers.
Frozen whole · Cooked in-shell · Cockle meat
Mussels
Green mussels
Green mussels (Perna viridis) are farmed in Vietnam's coastal bays and exported frozen to international markets. While less prominent than clams and scallops in Vietnam's export mix, green mussel exports are documented and growing. Frozen half-shell and mussel meat products are available from certified processors.
Frozen half-shell · Mussel meat IQF · Cooked frozen
Edible Snails
Sweet/babylon snails, apple snails and other varieties
Vietnam exports several varieties of edible snails, including babylon snails (Babylonia areolata), apple snails, and other coastal and freshwater varieties. Snail products are primarily exported to Asian markets in frozen whole or processed snail meat formats. Babylon snails in particular command premium pricing in Chinese and Japanese markets.
Frozen whole · Snail meat IQF · Cooked & frozen
Farm-Raised Products
Not all Vietnamese seafood comes from the ocean. Vietnam is also one of the world's leading aquaculture producers — and several of its most commercially important export species are farm-raised.
Whiteleg Shrimp (Vannamei)
Vietnam's largest aquaculture export by volume. Farmed in controlled ponds across the Mekong Delta, vannamei shrimp is available in a full range of sizes, processing forms, and value-added formats — from raw shell-on IQF to peeled & deveined, cooked, breaded, and retail-ready packs.
HLSO · PD · PUD · Cooked · Breaded · Skewered · Retail-ready
Pangasius (Basa / Tra)
Vietnam is the world's dominant supplier of pangasius, farmed in the Mekong Delta river system. A mild, white-fleshed freshwater fish with excellent processing yield, pangasius is widely used in food service, retail, and private-label programs across North America.
Skinless fillets · Portions · Butterfly cuts · Marinated · Retail-pack
Tilapia
Farmed tilapia from Vietnam offers a consistent, affordable white fish option for food service and retail buyers. Available in whole round, H&G, and fillet formats with skin-on and skinless options.
Whole round · H&G · Skinless fillets · IQF portions
Farm-raised products are clearly identified and sourced from certified facilities. All aquaculture suppliers in our network hold current HACCP plans, FDA registration, and relevant certifications for the US market.
Value Added Seafood Products
Vietnam's food processing industry delivers a full range of IQF and ready-to-cook value-added products — manufactured to US FDA, HACCP, and retailer specifications for foodservice, retail, and private label buyers.
Breaded Shrimp
Available in butterfly, popcorn, and whole-tail formats. Panko or traditional breadcrumb coatings. Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) for consistent portion control.
Shrimp on Skewers
Marinated and skewered shrimp, ready to grill or bake. Available in garlic butter, teriyaki, and lemon herb marinades. Supplied Frozen IQF on bamboo or metal skewers.
Squid Rings
Cleaned, sliced, and breaded squid rings from premium Vietnam squid. Crispy panko or tempura batter options. Frozen IQF for uniform frying and consistent ring size.
Shrimp Ring Platters with Sauce
Fully cooked cocktail shrimp arranged in ring platter format with dipping sauce included. Available in multiple count sizes for retail club packs and foodservice. Frozen IQF.
Spring Rolls (Precooked)
Traditional Vietnamese-style spring rolls with shrimp, pork, or vegetable fillings. Precooked and Frozen IQF for quick preparation. Crispy wrapper holds texture through reheating.
Breaded Fish Fillet
White fish fillets in panko or traditional breadcrumb coatings. Species include pangasius, tilapia, and snapper. Frozen IQF with consistent weight and thickness for uniform cooking.
Tempura
Light Japanese-style tempura batter applied to shrimp, squid, and mixed seafood. Delivers a crispy, airy texture. Frozen IQF in shrimp tempura, mixed seafood, and vegetable formats.
Dim Sum
A full range of steamed and fried dim sum including har gow, siu mai, shrimp dumplings, pork dumplings, and mixed seafood varieties. Produced in HACCP-certified facilities. Frozen IQF.
Tofu
Silken, soft, firm, and extra-firm tofu produced from non-GMO soybeans. Available in retail block format and foodservice bulk packs. Frozen IQF options available.
US Compliance & Quality Standards
Every processor in our network is vetted for full US FDA compliance, IUU catch documentation, and internationally recognized food safety certification. We handle the compliance burden so you don't have to.
HACCP
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points
Mandatory seafood safety management system. All processors in our network hold current HACCP plans reviewed for US import compliance.
FDA Registered
US Food & Drug Administration
All facilities are registered with the US FDA and compliant with FSMA Seafood HACCP and Prior Notice requirements.
IUU Compliant
Illegal, Unreported & Unregulated Fishing
Full catch documentation and vessel monitoring system (VMS) records provided to confirm legal, traceable wild-catch origin.
MSC Eligible
Marine Stewardship Council
Select tuna and pelagic species sourced from fisheries in MSC assessment or with MSC chain-of-custody certification available.
EU Approved
European Union Health Certificate
Many processors hold EU establishment numbers, providing an additional quality benchmark for buyers requiring dual-market compliance.
Cold Chain Verified
Temperature-Controlled Logistics
Continuous cold-chain documentation from vessel landing through processing, freezing, and container loading to port of export.
How We Source For You
Species & Spec Brief
Share your target species, product form, size grades, required certifications, volume, and pricing expectations. The more detail, the better the match.
Processor Matching
We identify 2–3 qualified processors from our vetted network with proven US export history, current FDA registration, and the species and formats you need.
Facility Audit & Compliance Review
We review facility certifications, HACCP plans, FDA registration status, IUU documentation systems, and recent US import history before any introduction.
Sample Shipment & Approval
We coordinate commercial samples, facilitate third-party lab testing if required, and manage the approval process against your quality specifications.
Production, Inspection & Logistics
Once approved, we manage production scheduling, pre-shipment inspections, export health certificates, and freight coordination to your US port of entry.
Looking for a Reliable Wild-Catch Supplier in Vietnam?
Tell us your target species, volume, product form, and certifications — and we'll identify the right processor in our network.
Reach Out
Start a Conversation
Tell us about your trade goals and we'll respond within one business day.
Let's Build Together
We strive to stay in communication with our clients and outside interests. Have a question about our business, or want to see if we match your specific needs? Send us a message, or give us a call. We're always happy to meet new customers or help you find the best fit resources.
Vietnam Office — Ho Chi Minh City
#P4.51, Floor 4, The Prince Residence Bldg.,
#19-21 Nguyen Van Troi Street,
Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City