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Date released
11 April 2018

2018 marks 25 years of ACIAR funded projects in Vietnam, a key partner country that has provided endless opportunities for projects to contribute to research for development.

To help celebrate a quarter-century of cooperation, we have compiled 25 photos illustrating different projects from across our research and capacity building programs.

These photos are also currently on display in Hanoi, where our Vietnam Office is hosting an in-country celebration further showcasing ACIAR-funded projects since 1993.

Group of people standing in a forest of young Acacia trees
Vietnamese and Australian scientists visiting a thinning trial in Binh Phuoc province. ACIAR Project: FST/2006/087 (2008 - 2012) investigated silvicultural practices of Acacia to optimize the production of sawlogs. The silviculture, tree breeding, wood processing and policy research of ACIAR forestry program contributed significantly to the development of about four million hectares of plantation forest in Vietnam. Photo credit: Project FST/2006/087
Truck loaded with Acacia timber logs
Acacia timber leaving plantation site in Vietnam for market. ACIAR Project: FST/1992/027 (1994 – 1998) was the first of 30 ACIAR’s forestry projects in Vietnam, providing good evidence of the potential economic benefits that come from trees in agricultural systems. It is estimated that 250,000 farmers have adopted Acacia woodlots into their farming systems and contributed to generate US$4.3 billion from pulpwood exporting per year. Photo credit: Tony Bartlett (ACIAR)
New agroforestry plantation
Around 50 families working together to have 50 ha of agroforestry landscape in Co Noi district, Son La province. ACIAR Projects: FST/2010/034 (2011-2016) and FST/2016/152 (2011 - 2021) work on agroforestry systems in the North West region that secure livelihoods of households while reducing land degradation and deforestation. The large exemplar landscapes have been established through a co-investment scheme by the project. Photo credit: Nguyen Mai Phuong (World Agroforestry Centre)
Group of ducks next to a group of men with face masks and rubber gloves
Ducks waiting to be tested for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the Mekong delta. ACIAR Project: AH/2004/040 (2006 – 2010) looked into the role of domestic ducks in transmission and maintenance of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus in Indonesia and Vietnam for better management of HPAI outbreaks.
Female scientist holding up a plant in a glass bottle
Dr. Nghiem Quynh Chi, a former John Allwright Fellowship recipient, is examining acacia specimens in her lab.Dr Chi conducts cutting-edge research in the traditionally male-dominated discipline of tree breeding. She is one of the 92 Vietnamese scientists, who received ACIAR scholarships for further studies in Australia. ACIAR also offers Vietnamese researchers opportunities for further studies in Vietnam.
Three people pulling large roots out of the ground
Harvesting cassava in Son La province. The family of Mrs Lo Thi Nuong from Mai Son district, Son La province harvesting higher yields of cassava after two years applying the new techniques from the project. ACIAR Project: AGB/2012/078 (2016 – 2019) helps cassava farmers to increase incomes by applying improved farming technologies and linking to various value chain actors. Photo credit: Conor Ashleigh
Three men in a conference room. One has both hands in the air
Prof. To Phuc Tuong discussing with policy makers in Vietnam on the results of the project‘Climate Change Affecting Land Use in the Mekong Delta: Adaptation of Rice-based Cropping Systems’ in 2015. ACIAR Project: SMCN/2009/021 (2011 – 2015)’s major achievements included interactive maps of the sea-level rise impacts in the Mekong Delta until 2030 and 2050.
Calves standing in a small pen under trees
Typical smallholder dairy calf rearing in Ba Vi district, Hanoi. ACIAR Project: AH/2016/020 (2016 – 2017) developed a network of Vietnamese nutritionists and veterinarians skilled in applying and monitoring feeding strategies to make Vietnamese dairy cattle healthier, more productive and more profitable. It also monitors nutritional diseases that reduce the productive life of cows and the viability of the dairy sector. Photo credit: David McNeil (University of Queensland)
Man sitting among very large piles of dragon fruit
Dragon fruit from no-fly zone. A farmer sorting freshly harvested dragon fruit on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City. ACIAR Projects: AGB/1998/005 (2001 – 2008) and AGB/2007/187 (2007-2009) successfully produced (and commercialized) fruit fly bait using yeast waste from beer production. The bait has been used to control flies for fruits and vegetables, with growers now able to use the bait to reduce chemical spray and meet the exporting requirements.
Trees with a drip irrigation system around them
Better yield with less water. Mango with drip irrigation system in Binh Dinh province, where sandy soil and water shortage are challenging the farmers. ACIAR Project: SMCN/2012/069 (2014 – 2018) assists mango and peanut farmers improve their yield and profit margins while saving water. Simple evaporation pans measure the water required to irrigate with sprinklers and drippers. This solution has increased peanut yields by 10% & mango yields by almost 30%. Photo credit: Surender Mann
Three H'mong women standing in a crop of leafy vegetables
H’mong farmers at their field trials. H’Mong women farmers from Ma Tra village, Sa Pa commune, Sa Pa district, Lao Cai province at a farming system field trial in 2018. ACIAR Project: AGB/2012/059 (2014 – 2018) helps smallholder vegetable farmers in Lao Cai province engage with high-value markets and resource-and-disease-management practices. The farmer groups gained knowledge through participating in farmer business schools and working with researchers. Photo credit: Project AGB/2012/059
Verdant hills
Changing practices to protect soil on sloping lands. A research site investigating sustainable maize production systems based on minimum tillage and mulching in Mai Son district, Son La province. ACIAR Project: AGB/2008/002 (2009 - 2014) helped smallholder maize and temperate fruit farmers to explore a range of value chain options improving farm profits and reduce land degradation. Extension approaches have been adopted in Son La and Lai Chau provinces. Photo credit: Ngo Duc Minh
Two women collecting potatoes from a field of crops
Harvesting potatoes in Son La province. Farmers Nguyen Thi May and Nguyen Thi Thuy from Tu Nhien cooperative in Dong Sang commune, Moc Chau district, harvesting potatoes. ACIAR Project: AGB/2009/053 and AGB/2014/035 (2011 – 2021) have been linking vegetable growers in northern Vietnam with modern retailers, increasing incomes 5-7 times higher than from rice or maize production. Similar work has been started in Myanmar, based on lessons learned in Vietnam. Photo credit: Bui Thi Hang
Man and women among a leafy crop
Farmer Tran Viet Me (86) and his wife from Tu Nhien village, Moc Chau district, in their vegetable garden. ACIAR project: AGB/2009/053 Since joining the project, Mr Me’s family, has strictly adhered to the project’s procedures to meet the safety standards of VietGap. The quality produce and stable price have contributed to improve his family’s income. He said that he did not have any difficulty in applying new procedures despite his age. Photo credit: Tran Thanh Hai
Man feeding group of calves with a bottle
Cattle production in Son La province. Photo: Free grazing cattle are fed salty water at the end of each day in the village encouraging their return. ACIAR Projects: LPS/2008/049 (2011 – 2015) and LPS/2015/037 (2017-2021) have been addressing technical and market constraints to help beef cattle farmers in North West region. With assistance of Australian and Vietnamese scientists, farmers were able to grow and keep forage for their cattle through the cold winters.
Many floating oyster farms in the ocean - large panels of logs with lines hanging into the water
Development of a new industry. The scale of oyster farming in Van Don district, Quang Ninh province in 2018. ACIAR Project: FIS/2005/114 and FIS/2010/100 (2007 – 2018) provided new oyster farming techniques for smallholders and established a selective breeding program that laid a good base for oyster industry in Vietnam. Oyster farming now has spread across the country and production is estimated at 15,000 tonnes per annum. Photo credit: Pham Bich Thuy
Close up of six ants walking across a wire
Green ants - the pest control warriors. Green ants use wire bridges to move from tree to tree. ACIAR Project: CP/1997/079 (2001 – 2005) developed an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) program that combined the use of green ants as a major biological control agent with other agricultural strategies with the intention of reducing populations of homopteran pests (such as leafhoppers, aphids and scales) in mangoes in Vietnam, Thailand and Australia.
Women with headscarf standing among blossom trees
Aiming for more profitable markets. Farmer Phan Thi Thu in Na Ka village, Moc Chau district, taking care of her plum trees. Ms Thu’s orchard is one of the few in Moc Chau that meet strict requirements of Hanoi modern retailers. ACIAR Project: AGB/2012/060 (2014 – 2018) has been working to improve the household income and livelihoods by increasing their competitiveness and access to stable temperate fruit markets. Photo credit: Dinh Thi Huyen Tram
Many plum blossom trees
Plum blossoming season. A plum orchard in full bloom in Na Ka village, also known as the plum valley, in Moc Chau district, 2018. ACIAR Project: AGB/2012/060 (2014 – 2018) has been working to improve household income and livelihoods by increasing their competitiveness and access to stable temperate fruit markets. It evaluates consumer and market dynamics; supports government-led planning, and engages private sector for a sustainable plum nursery business. Photo credit: Pham Bich Thuy
Large fishing net containing fish with boat nearby
From project to regional forum. Technical workers of Pilot Marine Fish Farm of Research Institute for Aquaculture feeding fish at a research facility. ACIAR Project: FIS/2006/141 (2009 - 2014) can claim one of the most important regional meetings on aquafeed as its legacy. The project established the first Regional Aquafeed Forum in 2009 and the 9th Forum was held in 2017. The forum is now recognised as one of the most important annual events in the industry. Photo Credit: Nguyen Van Tien
Woman in canoe in a pond of rice-shrimp crops
Rice-shrimp farming systems that adapt to environmental changes. Photo: Farmer Vo Thi Thao in her field at Tan Bang commune, Thoi Binh district, has been helping the project team to conduct research and disseminate information to other farmers. ACIAR Project: SMCN/2010/083 (2013 – 2019) Works on new designs of rice-shrimp farming systems profitable for farmers and adaptable to environmental changes such as high salinity in pond soil and water quality. Photo credit: Hoang Thi Thuy Tien
Six men in front of a rice-shrimp crop which is in water
Team spirit in rice-shrimp field. Vietnamese and Australian scientists visiting a rice-shrimp field trial in Ca Mau province. ACIAR Project: SMCN/2010/083 (2013 – 2019) maintains a sense of ‘team’. Research planning is a whole-of-team effort, with success underpinned by the partnership with the local Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and farmers. Photo credit: Project SMCN/2010/083
A group of black piglets
Piglets in a smallholder farm. ACIAR Project: LPS/2010/047 (PigRISK) and LPS/2016/143 (SafePORK) (2012 – 2022) have been working to improve the livelihoods of smallholder pig farmers in Vietnam and improve food safety in the pork value chain. The research group has become one of the foremost groups working on food safety in Vietnam with high international recognition. Photo credit: Le My Hanh
Three people inspecting a large net containing sea cucumbers with two children watching on
Harvesting sea cucumbers in Khanh Hoa province. Local traders gutting sea cucumbers harvested from a commercial pond prior to drying for export in Van Ninh district. ACIAR Project: FIS/2003/059 (2007 – 2012). The economic importance of sea cucumbers to Asian communities triggered a collaborative research effort to advance breeding and rearing techniques when fish numbers started to decline.

Featured image: Feeding the cows in Phu Yen province. Farmer Bui Van Hung from An Chan commune, Tuy An district, feeding his cows with mixed food in the capsule form which replaces the traditional cooking method. ACIAR Project: LPS/2012/062 (2014 – 2018) develops more efficient smallholder cattle-growing systems by improving feed, feeding and management, as well as establishing a stronger integration with markets. Photo credit: Tran Thanh Hai