Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung held a working session with the Malaysian Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad Bin Sabu, in Hanoi on April 23, during which they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agricultural cooperation.
This agreement aims to enhance coordination between the two nations in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, and food security, based on the principles of equality and mutual respect.
Minister Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad Bin Sabu also proposed several specific measures to expand Malaysia's access to the Vietnamese market.
Notably, Malaysia expressed a strong desire to resume the export of value-added processed poultry products to Vietnam, which have been suspended by the former since 2024.
Additionally, Malaysia is looking to promote the export of pasteurized liquid eggs, frozen duck meat, and related products to Vietnam. Bird's nests, animal feed, and pet food were also highlighted as priority items that Malaysia wishes to export to Vietnam.
In response to these proposals, Minister Hung emphasized that to facilitate the market opening process, the Malaysian side must promptly provide comprehensive technical dossiers for import risk analysis in accordance with Vietnamese law. He also urged close coordination with specialized agencies to finalize quarantine and food safety procedures.
Conversely, Vietnam proposed that Malaysia consider opening its market to Vietnamese poultry products (including fresh poultry), milk, and dairy products. Minister Hung noted that these products have already met the stringent standards of high-end markets such as Japan, the Russian Federation, and Hong Kong (China).
Regarding the rice trade, Minister Mohamad Bin Sabu affirmed that rice remains a vital commodity and identified Vietnam as a key partner in ensuring Malaysia’s food supply. In 2025, Vietnam exported over 457,000 tons of rice to Malaysia; Vietnamese rice currently accounts for approximately 40% of Malaysia's total rice imports and is highly favored by local consumers. Both sides reached a consensus on export volumes and agreed to work toward price stability in the rice trade.
Furthermore, the Malaysian delegation expressed interest in promoting private investment, exploring smart agriculture technologies, and learning from Vietnam’s expertise in large-scale agricultural production.
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