Every day, we spend time choosing food for ourselves and our families. We care about freshness, price, where our food comes from, and labels such as “safe” or “organic.” Yet there is one question that few of us stop to ask: What truly makes food healthy?

This is why ALiSEA Vietnam, together with its member organizations, is launching the campaign “Healthy Food Started at Agroecological Fields” as part of the Agroecology Promotion Programme in the Mekong Region. Over the next eight weeks, young people will work alongside cooperatives and farms across Vietnam to explore the journey of food and share authentic stories from the field to the table.

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To facilitate wider learning and exchange, the workshop presentations and materials have been made available through the ALiSEA Knowledge Hub: https://ckan.ali-sea.org/dataset/ws-connecting-forestry-and-agroforestry-cooperatives-with-enterprises

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ALiSEA invites its members and partners to explore these resources and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on building more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable forestry and agroforestry value chains.

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The post Thematic Webinar: Connecting and Sharing Agroecological Knowledge appeared first on ALiSEA.

To explore this important connection between responsible consumption and sustainable production, ALiSEA Vietnam successfully organized the thematic webinar “Market Access for Agroecological Products: Domestic and Export Perspectives” on 11 April 2026 via Zoom.

The webinar welcomed nearly 100 participants, including 45 men and 51 women, reflecting growing interest in safe, transparent, and responsibly produced food systems.

The session created a valuable space for ALiSEA members, farmers, enterprises, cooperatives, and consumers to exchange practical experiences and insights on how agroecological products can better access domestic and international markets.

Mr. Tran Manh Chien, Founder & CEO of Bác Tôm, shared the journey of building a nature-based food ecosystem rooted in the philosophy of living in harmony with nature. His presentation highlighted that consumer trust is built through transparency, consistent quality, and values-driven business models. Through Bác Tôm & Farms, he demonstrated how healthy food, ecological farming, and community-building can be integrated into one sustainable ecosystem.

Ms. Nguyen Thi My Ngan, Board Member of TRUECOOP and CEO of Viet Haus, shared practical insights into export markets and the growing global demand for organic products. She emphasized that international buyers require strict standards in quality, traceability, certification, and supply capacity. Her message was clear: the market does not lack buyers but lacks products that meet the right requirements.

Ms. Mayu Ino, Founder of Seed to Table Vietnam, shared experiences in connecting farmers, communities, and consumers through education and community-based initiatives. Her presentation highlighted the importance of raising consumer awareness and strengthening collaboration to create long-term positive change in both production and consumption.

The webinar reminded participants that choosing safe and traceable food is not only an act of self-care but also a way to support farmers and businesses committed to responsible production.

Through this webinar, ALiSEA Vietnam continues to promote knowledge exchange, strengthen partnerships, and encourage more responsible consumption as a key driver for sustainable and agroecological food systems.

All presentations are available to download below:

1. ALiSEA_Seed to Table_webinar April by Ms. Mayu

2. KSTĐ Trần Chiến_ webinar April by Bác TOm

3. ALiSEA_ Viethaus_ webinar April by Ms. My Ngan.pptx.pptx

Watch the full webinar recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrDthhrA634&t=4s

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The 2nd ALiSEA Network 2025 Webinar was held on 17 November 2025 with the theme “Food Safety: From Production to Consumption.” The workshop was attended by 46 participants (27 males and 19 females) from within and outside the network.

Dr. Ho Ngoc Son, the ALiSEA National Knowledge Management Coordinator, moderated the webinar, starting with an introduction to the workshop program and objectives. The objectives of the workshop included introducing member initiatives, highlighting key challenges and solutions, promoting mutual learning and regional cooperation, identifying opportunities for replication of successful practices, and collecting lessons learned for wider dissemination. The 3 presenters included Ms. Tu Tuyet Nhung (Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association), Ms. Nguyen Thi Den, program officer of Rikolto International in Vietnam, Mr. Hoang The Ky, a PhD student from Galway University (Ireland), and an expert from Rikolto International in Vietnam.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao The Anh, President of PHANO, the National Secretary organization of the ALiSEA Network in Vietnam, delivered the opening speech at the workshop, emphasizing the importance of promoting safe, sustainable, and inclusive agri-food systems and the need for ALiSEA to participate in policy dialogue to advocate for agri-food system transition in Vietnam.

Ms. Dinh Thi Huyen—ALiSEA BoM—introduced local food systems, a working group of ALiSEA Vietnam.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Den‘s presentation emphasized the need to approach farmers and farmer organizations, starting from local needs, focusing on good practices, needing to impact many factors affecting production, and focusing on local markets. Lessons learned from the Rikolto Small Grant were shared as well.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Den of Rikolto Vietnam presented

Mr. Hoang Ky‘s presentation was the result of research on the impact of ecological agricultural practices on dietary diversity and discusses the implications of ecological agricultural practices on dietary diversity. The research provided insight into the relationship between the promotion of agroecology and healthy diets.

Ms. Tu Tuyet Nhung‘s presentation introduced the criteria for identifying safe food in the market, referring to the assessment toolkit. The presentation provides some concepts of safe food, some tips for choosing food in the market, and the need to raise awareness and capacity of consumers to identify safe food in the market. should add more keywords.

During the discussion, delegates raised many questions for the speakers, in which the most concerning issues were compliance in traceability and enforcement related to food safety. For example, Dr. Do Thanh Lam shared the view that the ALiSEA network should work together to influence policies to improve implementation. ALiSEA participates in policy forums to provide feedback on food safety. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao The Anh shared his view on food safety standards, stating that due to small-scale farming, the application of international standards is difficult and costly.

The webinar was successful in sharing practical experiences, tools, and initiatives to enhance food safety and better management across the value chain, from agricultural production to consumption.

The recorded video is available to watch below:

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The ALiSEA Vietnam executive team presented the annual activity report, highlighting major achievements over the past year. The network notably welcomed 11 new official member organizations, broadening its diversity and expertise.

11 new members have received certificates confirming their ALiSEA membership.

Key advancements included:

• Active Technical Working Groups
• Training workshops, thematic webinars, and policy dialogues
• Development of the ALiSEA Knowledge Hub
• Strengthened communication, journalist field visit, and member connectivity

These accomplishments reaffirm ALiSEA’s expanding role as a multi-stakeholder platform that connects universities/research institutions, NGOs, private sectors, cooperative/farmer organizations, networks, etc. to promote agroecology and drive sustainable food system transformation in Vietnam and the broader region.

The National Coordinator and executive team outlined strategic priorities for the next phase, focusing on:

• Sharing ALiSEA governance 2 levels: Board of Member (BoM) and Executive team
• Enhancing member ownership and co-creation of activities
• Strengthening linkages: webinars and exchange programs on Agroecology (AE) to share knowledge
• Expanding resource mobilization to ensure long-term sustainability: enhancing collaboration and co-organizing activities with other partners to promote AE and Food System Transition (FST)

The assembly also featured experience-sharing sessions from the 2022 Small Grant on “Strengthening Community Capacity in Monitoring Pesticides Use and Promoting Agroecology for a Non-Toxic Environment”: implemented by the Research Centre for Gender, Family and Environment in Development (CGFED) in collaboration with Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN-AP) and the Women’s Union of Hai Hau District, Nam Dinh Province, where member organizations presented practical models and initiatives such as:

• Reduction of chemical pesticide use
• Biological pest management solutions
• Development of agroecological farming models

These presentations demonstrated tangible impacts on the ground and fostered new collaboration opportunities within the network. During the plenary discussion, members openly shared challenges in transitioning toward agroecology, emphasizing the need for:

• Stronger cross-sector coordination
• Enhanced policy engagement
• Continued capacity building and knowledge exchange

The consultation reaffirmed priority actions for the upcoming year, ensuring ALiSEA Vietnam remains responsive to member needs and aligned with national and regional agroecology agendas. The year 2025 marks an important milestone, reinforcing the network’s collective commitment to promoting an ecological, sustainable, and equitable transformation of the food system.

ALiSEA extends sincere appreciation to the executive organization for their leadership and coordination, including the Vietnam Rural Development Science Association (PHANO), Trung tâm Nghiên cứu Phát triển Nông Lâm nghiệp Miền núi (ADC), Rural Development Center (RUDEC) under the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment, and other ALiSEA members. The event was financially supported by Agroecology and Safefood System Transition in Southeast Asia (ASSET) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and coordinated by GRET.

All the presentations are available to download below:

English version:

1. ALiSEA Governance
2. ALiSEA Communication-Capacity building
3. ALiSEA VN Member survey
4. Small Grant Facility_Implentation results_Vietnam
5. ALiSEA Youth
6. ALiSEA Knowledge Hub
7. ALiSEA Knowledge Hub in Vietnam
8. Vietnam Action Plan 2026 and Group Discussion

Vietnamese version:

1. ALiSEA Governance
2. ALiSEA Communication-Capacity building
3. ALiSEA VN Member survey
4. Small Grant Facility_Implentation results
5. ALiSEA Youth
6. ALiSEA Knowledge Hub
7. ALiSEA Knowledge Hub in Vietnam
8. GA Kế hoạch hành động và Thảo luận nhóm

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Agroecology and sustainable food systems have become key priorities in the context of climate change and global food security challenges. The ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecology Transitions were officially adopted at the 45th Senior Officials Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (SOM-AMAF) in October 2024. In Vietnam, the government has demonstrated strong commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural transformation through the issuance of the National Action Plan for Transparent, Responsible, and Sustainable Food System Transformation by 2030.

On 12 November 2025 in Hanoi, the Agroecology Learning Alliance in Southeast Asia (ALiSEA Vietnam), together with member organizations of the Vietnam Association for Rural Development Sciences, the Rural Development Center, and the Agroforestry Research and Development Center for the Northern Mountainous Region, organized a workshop entitled “National Policy Dialogue Consultation Workshop on ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecology Transitions.” The event gathered 76 participants (26 men and 50 women) representing 41 member organizations of the network, including research institutes, universities, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, and farmers. The workshop was supported by GRET.

During the workshop, Dr. Nguyen Mai Huong, Deputy Director of the Rural Development Center at the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment, and a representative of the LICA focal point presented the ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecology Transitions. The guidelines highlight seven leverage points and practical recommendations to support agroecological transformation, including (1) planning for agroecological transition; (2) working with farmers; (3) supporting value chain transformation; (4) capacity building and knowledge sharing; (5) stakeholder engagement; (6) research programs; and (7) financing the transition.

Associate Professor Dr. Dao The Anh, President of the Vietnam Rural Development Science Association (PHANO) and a representative of ALiSEA board members in Vietnam, presented the National Action Plan for Food System Transformation, along with orientations and policy directions for agroecology development in Vietnam.

Following the presentations, representatives from ALiSEA member organizations shared their practical experiences. Mr. Nguyen Quang Tan from ICRAF and Mr. Bui Van Tung from NOMAFSI shared the implementation of agroecology-related development projects and models at the local level, highlighting both successes and challenges in applying agroecological approaches to support food system transformation.

During the workshop, participants were divided into three stakeholder groups representing the public sector (research institutes and universities), civil society and non-governmental organizations, and the private sector and businesses. Through group discussions, participants exchanged experiences, perspectives, and recommendations to promote agroecological transition in Vietnam in alignment with the seven leverage points outlined in the ASEAN Guidelines.

The plenary discussion session also gathered numerous insights from network members regarding approaches on developing and scaling agroecological models. Several policy recommendations for agroecological transitions were proposed, emphasizing that the participation of the private sector in the implementation of transition activities is essential. Private sectors provide financial resources, advanced technologies, and market and value chain linkages to promote the transition toward agroecological agriculture. In addition, indigenous knowledge and local culture were recognized as valuable resources for agroecology development. Other key recommendations included developing guidance materials and evaluation criteria, strengthening training and capacity-building activities, integrating agroecology into educational curricula, and encouraging the engagement of youth and students in agroecology initiatives. These efforts are expected to help disseminate knowledge and accelerate agroecological transitions in Vietnam.

The workshop served as an important platform for ALiSEA Vietnam members to meet, exchange knowledge, and propose initiatives for advancing agroecology. Moving forward, ALiSEA Vietnam will collaborate with members to develop programs that integrate the ASEAN policy guidelines on agroecology transitions that are appropriate to Vietnam’s national context. Further policy dialogue activities on agroecology will strengthen the collaboration among network members and mobilize greater resources to achieve shared objectives of the network at both national and regional levels.

All the presentations are available to download below:

English version:

1. 1. ASEAN Guidelines on Policies for Agroecological Transition—Nguyen Mai Huong (RUDEC/ISPAE)
   2. Agroecology in National Action Plan of Food system transformation by 2030, Vietnam—Assoc. Prof., Dr. Dao The Anh (PHANO)
   3. Contributions of ALiSEA to Policy Dialogue and Recommendations—Nguyen Ngoc Yen & Nguyen Thi Trang

Vietnamese version:

1. 1. HƯỚNG DẪN ASEAN VỀ CHÍNH SÁCH CHO CHUYỂN ĐỔI NNST—Nguyễn Mai Hương (RUDEC/ISPAE)
   2. Nông nghiệp sinh thái trong Kế hoạch hành động quốc gia về Chuyển đổi Hệ thống Lương thực Thực phẩm (NAP FST)—Assoc. Prof., Dr. Dao The Anh (PHANO)
   3. ĐÓNG GÓP CỦA ALISEA VỀ ĐỐI THOẠI CHÍNH SÁCH VÀ ĐỀ XUẤT—Nguyễn Ngọc Yến & Nguyễn Thị Trang

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The program brought together members of the ALiSEA network and media representatives to enhance learning, foster collaboration, and promote the dissemination of agroecological practices across Vietnam.

During the visit, participants visited the Phu Quy Fruit and Industrial Crop Research Center, under the Agricultural Science Institute for North Central Vietnam (ASINCV), in Nghe An province, and the Human Ecology Practice Area (HEPA) in Ha Tinh province—two sites that demonstrate the integration of scientific research and local knowledge in agroecological practice.

At Phu Quy Fruit and Industrial Crop Research Center, the group learned about the center’s achievements in the selection and conservation of citrus varieties and discussed sustainable soil and nutrient management techniques grounded in agroecological principles—such as intercropping, organic mulching, cover cropping, and the use of locally adapted plant varieties. Participants also observed on-farm demonstration models that have proven effective in maintaining productivity, conserving resources, and protecting soil ecosystems.

At HEPA, participants explored the site’s distinctive approach to forest restoration and land management based on the philosophy of “Nurturing Nature”. This philosophy rests on three core values: respecting ecosystem uniqueness, embracing biodiversity, and valuing indigenous and local knowledge systems. Over the past two decades, by placing nature at the center and practicing minimal intervention, HEPA has successfully increased forest cover from 39% to 99%. Alongside ecological recovery, HEPA has developed integrated farming models that link conservation with community livelihoods, helping surrounding communities sustain stable and environmentally responsible livelihoods.

For many participants, the visit was not only a chance to learn from real-life agroecological models but also a space to reconnect and build new partnerships across the network. Ms. Tran Thi Linh Nham, from the Green Future Agricultural Service Cooperative, shared, “As a member of ALiSEA for less than a year, we’ve already learned and shared so much valuable knowledge with other organizations and individuals. This has been incredibly meaningful for cooperatives like ours, working in agroecological farming. Through this field visit, we not only learned theory but also saw effective models in practice—drawing lessons that we can apply directly in our own context. This trip has been a source of inspiration and knowledge to keep us motivated in advancing agroecology and creating products that deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits.”

The participation of journalists also played an important role in spreading agroecological knowledge to a wider public. Mr. Ha Van Khai, from the Journal of Green Economy and Business, reflected, “For me as a journalist, this visit was extremely valuable. It deepened my understanding of the philosophy and on-the-ground realities of agroecology, which will help me communicate these ideas and models to the public and inspire wider adoption.”

The field visit was organized with financial support from the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU), and the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM). This activity forms part of ALiSEA’s ongoing efforts to foster learning exchanges, strengthen partnerships, and scale up agroecological practices throughout Southeast Asia.

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At the booth, the delegation explored models and resources on agroecology. Mr. Pham Duc Hien, agriculture expert of Muang May District and former director of the Dien Bien Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, commended the transition to livestock systems integrated with forage cultivation and cover crops for silage—an approach that ensures a year-round feed supply, reduces pollution, and lowers costs. The Muang May delegation recognized this as a promising highlight to be further studied and promoted for adoption locally to improve livestock performance while reducing expenses and seasonal risks.

On the Vietnamese side, the visit was led by Mr. Nguyen Van Phong, Deputy Director of the Dien Bien Department of Agriculture & Environment, who emphasized the Department’s commitment to facilitating investment and technology transfer from national and international research organizations in support of the province’s sustainable production transition.

The project knowledge booth also attracted many farmers, local residents, and journalists, who shared project results and experiences in choosing safe, ecologically produced, and processed foods.

The Agroecological Products Exhibition formed part of the ASSET Project Final Workshop series, held 19–21 October 2025 at the Him Lam Exhibition Center, Dien Bien Province.

ALiSEA and the ASSET project sincerely thank all participants and warmly welcome the local community to visit and experience agroecological products at the exhibition.

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