Sustainable development of marine shrimp farming in Vinh Long: An analysis combining environmental factors and economic development policies

Abstract

    Marine shrimp farming plays a vital role in Vietnam’s economy but is increasingly threatened by environmental change and climate variability. Vinh Long province, formerly Ben Tre, was selected as the study site because it is both a major shrimp farming hub and one of the regions most severely affected by salinity intrusion, drought, and extreme weather. These conditions make it representative for examining sustainability challenges in aquaculture. This study aims to assess the current status of shrimp farming, identify key factors influencing its sustainability, and propose solutions that integrate environmental and economic perspectives. A mixed-method approach was applied, combining secondary data from local reports with primary surveys of 52 farming households in Binh Dai, Ba Tri, and Thanh Phu districts. The Sustainable Livelihood Framework (DFID) and the Livelihood Capitals Index (LCI) were employed, with normalized indicators and radar charts used to compare strengths and vulnerabilities. Findings reveal that financial and social capitals are the strongest supports, while human and natural capitals remain the main constraints. The study proposes targeted training, adaptive water infrastructure, expanded credit access, and strengthened farmer organizations to enhance resilience. The results provide evidence for sustainable aquaculture policies in Vinh Long and the wider Mekong Delta.