In a significant gathering that underscored the pivotal role of biotechnology in agriculture, experts convened in Hà Nội for the forum “Gene editing in agriculture – A strategic technology associated with the legal framework.” Organized under the direction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the event aimed to explore sustainable and practical solutions for advancing gene technology in Việt Nam.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phùng Đức Tiến opened the forum, emphasizing that biotechnology is not a novel concept but a long-identified strategic breakthrough. This field encompasses critical areas such as gene manipulation, tissue and embryo culture, and the development of beneficial organisms. Gene technology has already yielded remarkable results, propelling Vietnamese agriculture towards organic, circular, and innovative development, aligning with the nation’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Development Strategy until 2030.
The forum highlighted Việt Nam’s achievements in agriculture, where 85% of new rice varieties and 89% of high-quality rice have been developed through gene technology. This has contributed to a substantial rice output of 34.8 million tonnes in the first nine months of this year, ensuring domestic food security and reinforcing Việt Nam’s position in the international food market. Science and technology now contribute about 30% of the total added value of the agricultural sector, with technical advancements securing national food security and stabilizing global supply. This year, the agricultural sector is poised to achieve a record export value of approximately US$67–70 billion, a testament to the effectiveness of scientific and technological innovation.
Deputy Minister Tiến noted that in a world with a population of eight billion, Việt Nam’s role in the global food supply chain is more critical than ever. With countries like Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brazil seeking imports, Việt Nam has both an opportunity and a responsibility to affirm its position in the international market.
The forum also addressed the need for a robust legal framework to support the development and application of gene-editing technology. Deputy Minister Tiến emphasized that science and technology drive sustainable agricultural development, improve productivity, quality, and global competitiveness. Resolution No 19 on agricultural, farmer, and rural development, and Resolution No 57 of the Politburo issued last year, underscore the importance of science, technology, and innovation in modernizing production forces and increasing economic added value.
Decision No 429/QĐ-TTg on developing the agricultural biotechnology industry until 2030 confirms that biotechnology is no longer just a research field but an area with systematic investment and practical production application. Strategic technologies, especially biotechnology, play a key role in an economy based on high-quality labor and efficient raw material exploitation.
Gene-editing technology allows precise intervention in plant genomes to create salt-tolerant, disease-resistant, nutrient-rich varieties or extend shelf life. Consequently, the breeding period is shortened from 10–15 years to 2–5 years. Domestic institutes and universities have made notable achievements in this field, such as salt-tolerant and disease-resistant rice, soybeans with reduced indigestible sugars, carotenoid-rich tomatoes, and higher-yield, quality maize and papaya.
Experts assert that if Việt Nam completes the legal framework, develops supportive policies, and applies product-based management mechanisms, gene-editing technology will help ensure food security, adapt to climate change, reduce emissions, and enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products.
Nguyễn Văn Long, director of the Science and Technology Department, noted that the global trend in gene-edited crop management is shifting toward encouraging innovation while ensuring safety and transparency in agricultural trade. Many countries, especially in Asia, are improving legal frameworks to leverage new technologies’ benefits, enhance competitiveness, and address climate change.
In Việt Nam, the Party and State have issued several directives to promote research, application, and safe management of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The 2008 Biodiversity Law defines GMOs and provides a basic legal framework for GMO management. However, the gene-editing technology legal system remains incomplete. Scientific communication is limited, causing public caution about genetically modified and edited products, while research-business-production linkage is still ineffective.
To resolve this, Việt Nam is considering amending the 2008 Biodiversity Law to update regulations on gene editing and build suitable management and trade mechanisms aligned with global trends. This requires coordination among ministries, scientists, businesses, and strong commitment from policymakers.
Gene-editing technology allows precise intervention in plant genomes to create salt-tolerant, disease-resistant, nutrient-rich varieties or extend shelf life without introducing foreign genes as in GMO. Thus, the breeding time is shortened from 10–15 years to 2–5 years. However, according to the 2008 Biodiversity Law, gene-edited products are still classified with GMOs, causing difficulties in commercialization and