Vietnam scales up sustainable sargassum harvest in Quang Ngai
A UN-backed initiative is helping communities in central Vietnam adopt sustainable practices to harvest wild sargassum, a seaweed used in food, fertilizer and pharmaceuticals.
The project, funded by the UNDP and Global Environment Facility, is underway in Quang Ngai’s Binh Son District, where locals now harvest only during the seaweed’s peak growth period to ensure quality and protect future stocks.
The algae grows on coral reefs and rocky seabeds at depths of 3-6 meters. Harvesting is done manually through diving, with each household collecting several hundred kilograms of dried sargassum daily during peak season. The seaweed sells for around 5,500-6,000 VND (USD 0.22-0.24) per kilogram.
Running from September 2024 to October 2025 with a budget of over 2 billion VND, the project provides training, zoning plans, and harvest regulations. Officials say the efforts are helping restore marine habitats, reduce carbon, and support coastal incomes.
Over 250 hectares of wild sargassum in Binh Hai, Binh Tri, Binh Thuan and Binh Chau are now under community-based monitoring, blending conservation with livelihood support.
VFM
