Vietnam embraces nanotechnology to boost resilience in sand-based shrimp farming
Vietnam’s whiteleg shrimp farms on coastal sandy land are increasingly vulnerable to disease outbreaks and unsustainable losses. In response, researchers at Hue University’s Faculty of Fisheries have pioneered a nanotechnology-based farming model, offering a potential lifeline to this fragile sector.
Battling disease and environmental risk
Shrimp farming in Hue and other coastal areas has suffered recurring disease outbreaks in recent years, forcing many farmers to abandon once-productive ponds. “Over the past two or three years, we’ve faced losses every crop due to disease. Without funds to restock or rehabilitate, many farmers like me have had to walk away,” said Vo Khang, a farmer in Phong Quang ward.
Despite rapid expansion, sand-based shrimp farming has often developed without adequate environmental oversight. Most farms draw seawater directly into their ponds and discharge it untreated, even during disease outbreaks, accelerating pathogen spread and increasing environmental risks, experts from the Department of Agriculture and Environment warn.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mac Nhu Binh, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries, highlights another challenge: the overuse of antibiotics. “Widespread use of antibiotics has led to resistant bacterial strains, reducing treatment effectiveness. There’s an urgent need for innovative alternatives, and nanotechnology shows great promise.”
The promise of nanotechnology
Nanoparticles – measured in billionths of a meter, can cross biological barriers to deliver targeted treatments. In shrimp farming, nano-enabled drug systems release antimicrobials precisely at infection sites, improving efficacy and reducing both dosage and side effects.
Hue University’s research team has developed a 3,000-square-meter pilot system incorporating nano-antibiotic composites to treat and prevent bacterial diseases in whiteleg shrimp. Early results show reduced antibiotic use and residue levels, an encouraging sign for broader adoption in Vietnam’s aquaculture sector.
Researchers are also deploying nanomaterials for water treatment. Materials like nano-carbon, nano-aluminum, and metal oxides (silver, zinc, titanium, copper, iron) are paired with carriers like zeolite and bentonite to create biofilters that remove toxic compounds such as ammonia and nitrite. These nanomaterials also exhibit strong antimicrobial properties, helping neutralize waterborne pathogens that threaten shrimp, fish, and shellfish.
Toward a more sustainable future
With continued research and refinement, Hue University’s nanotech-driven model could mark a turning point for shrimp farming in sandy coastal areas. By reducing reliance on antibiotics and minimizing environmental impact, this approach offers a promising path toward more resilient and sustainable aquaculture in Vietnam.
VFM
