The Current Situation, Prospects, and Solutions for Vietnam’s Livestock Sector

Purpose – This study investigates the current status, development prospects, and strategic solutions for Vietnam’s livestock sector, which plays a critical role in national food security, rural livelihoods, and agricultural economic growth. The objective is to assess the sector’s performance in the context of global integration and identify key factors influencing sustainability and competitiveness. Design/Methodology/Approach – Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines sectoral data analysis with a SWOT framework to examine structural trends across key sub-sectors: namely pig farming, poultry, pangasius, and shrimp aquaculture. The study draws from national statistics, industry reports, and policy documents from 2019 to 2024. Findings – Findings reveal that despite steady output growth and improved export capacity, the livestock industry faces numerous challenges, including disease outbreaks, climate change, rising input costs, and dependence on imported feed ingredients. However, opportunities arise from expanding domestic demand, international trade agreements, and the shift toward high-quality, traceable, and sustainable products. Research Implications – The study’s contribution lies in its strategic integration of empirical evidence and policy insight, offering a comprehensive development roadmap. Recommendations include accelerating digital transformation, enhancing biosecurity, promoting feed self-sufficiency, applying smart farming technologies, and improving institutional support mechanisms. These solutions aim to transition Vietnam’s livestock sector toward a more modern, resilient, and value-added model that meets both domestic and global demands.