The aquaculture sector in Vietnam began in the early 1960s with small scale extensive culture systems. The rapid growth of this sector has been achieved during the last two decades as a direct result of its diversification on farming practices and adaptation to the production of exportable species at increased levels of intensification. Foremost amongst these is the catfish culture in the Mekong Delta in Southern part of Vietnam.
The Mekong delta has a total freshwater area of 641,350 ha, which comprises of 67.2% total water surface. This Delta has the most diversified aquatic farming activities and great potential for increasing aquaculture production. There are a few species, which have been commercially produced in the Delta, such as pangasiid catfishes and black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). Catfish farming started at the beginning of the 1960s that included Mekong catfish (Pangasius bocourti) cultured in small cages and striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus), locally referred to as basa and tra, respectively, and cultured mostly in small ponds. The actual growth of catfish culture, especially striped catfish, took off at the beginning of 2000 when artificial propagation techniques for striped catfish were developed and mass scale seed production became possible. Striped catfish culture in the Mekong delta is considered a success story of aquaculture in Vietnam, if not globally. The production and export turnover reached 1,200,000 tons worth US $1 billion in 2007. It has triggered the development of a processing sector providing for 150,000 livelihoods, mostly for rural women, and many more in other associated service sectors. The production per unit area averages 400–600 tons/crop, and is probably the highest achieved not only in aquaculture, but in any primary production sector. Moreover, the striped catfish products are exported to over 80 countries world-wide. This success can be attributed to several factors that include: (1) rapid establishment of seed production and culture techniques; (2) establishment and expansion of export markets; (3) development of feed and processing infrastructure;, and (4) supportive policies the government. It is expected that this sector will continue to grow further, albeit at a reduced rate, and will be sustainable.