Ornamental fish are forecasted to become one of Vietnam's export staples in the coming years as their breeding has seen fast development and brought high profits over the past five years.
With an attractive profit rate of 50-70 per cent, ornamental fish culture is now widespread in almost all of Vietnam’s provinces, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. Ornamental fish can be sold at tens of thousands of US dollars each, even up to US$1 million each.
Over 100 varieties of ornamental fish from all over the world have been raised in Vietnam, which has favorable conditions in water resources, weather and food for tropical ornamental fish.
In Ho Chi Minh City, a club of ornamental fish breeders and traders has been established, attracting over 200 members who are feeding around 17 million fish.
The city has 110 establishments specializing in ornamental fish and over 200,000 sq.m of water surface for ornamental fish culture.
The Ho Chi Minh City club has imported varieties of ornamental fish from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia to create and provide cross-breeds for breeders.
Nguyen Van Lang, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Ornamental Fish Club, said the world market is fond of Vietnam's ornamental fish thanks to their high quality and abundant varieties.
Besides South America and Africa, Vietnam is considered one of the top locations for ornamental fish in the world.
Vietnam has exported ornamental fish to many countries and territories, such as the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Canada, the US, Brazil, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan. The EU is the biggest import market for Vietnam's ornamental fish.
Ho Chi Minh City has set a target to earn US$10 million from ornamental fish by 2010.
The city has approved a project to export bonsai and ornamental fish by 2010 and issued policies on preferential interest rates for loans and import tax exemption to assist ornamental fish breeders.
It also plans to build a 20-ha center for breed multiplication in Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City.
Liberated Saigon
Vietnamese
