Good news from the ministerial dialogue in China: Motivation accompanies responsibility

Great joy

On May 28, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy held direct talks with Ms. Sun Meiqun, Director General of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), during his working visit to China from May 27-29. This marked the first direct ministerial-level dialogue between Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) and GACC to address Vietnam-China agricultural trade.

At the meeting, the Chinese Customs authority fully agreed to all of Vietnam's proposals, including facilitating the export of durian. This brought immense joy to the business community and durian farmers alike.

Speaking to the Vietnam Agriculture and Nature News, Mr. Le Anh Trung, Vice Chairman of the Dak Lak Durian Association, shared his excitement about the successful outcome of the ministerial-level talks between Vietnam and the Chinese Customs. He emphasized that the achievements in agricultural trade have spread inspiration and happiness to every farmer, every enterprise, and the entire Vietnamese durian industry.

This success is first and foremost the result of the remarkable, proactive, and tireless efforts of the MAE, which has persistently engaged in negotiations and resolved obstacles to open a “green lane” for Vietnamese agricultural products into China.

“We understand that every achievement today has been earned through thousands of hours of hard work, the aspiration to rise, and the sense of responsibility from our team of government officials. The close coordination among departments within the MAE has created a breakthrough in negotiations that has been highly praised by international partners.”

“The durian industry is extremely proud to witness the strong attention, support, and decisive action from the Ministry, its subordinate units, and local authorities. These efforts have led to the expansion of hundreds of plantation area codes and packing facilities, removing bottlenecks for hundreds of thousands of farming households and businesses,” expressed Mr. Le Anh Trung, Vice Chairman of the Dak Lak Durian Association.

For the Dak Lak Durian Association, the joy is even greater, as Dak Lak is considered the capital of Vietnamese durian, boasting the largest cultivation area and output in the country (nearly 40,000 hectares). It is home to hundreds of cooperatives, enterprises, and tens of thousands of households whose lives are closely tied to this fruit. The recognition and expansion of export codes, along with prioritized customs clearance, not only opens up international markets but also serves as a well-deserved acknowledgment of the relentless efforts of those working in the durian industry here.

According to Mr. Trung, this joy extends beyond Dak Lak, reaching every durian farmer and business across the country. It is a powerful source of encouragement for farmers to persist in maintaining clean, professional, and transparent agricultural practices. It also motivates businesses to further invest in raw material zones, adopt new technologies, and elevate the status of Vietnamese fruit in the global market.

Working together for a common goal

Mr. Le Anh Trung also emphasized that while it is right to celebrate this achievement, the responsibility now falls heavily on every grower, business, and stakeholder in the durian value chain. Without strict compliance with the importing country's regulations, the entire industry could collapse.

Regulations regarding food safety, traceability, chemical residue levels, and preservation processes have been clearly and transparently outlined by the importing country. A single violation, whether by an individual or an enterprise, doesn’t just affect that party alone. It could tarnish the reputation and branding of the entire Vietnamese durian industry and potentially lead to widespread import bans, a shock we’ve seen before with other agricultural exports.

Even just one shipment found with excessive chemical residues or fraudulent traceability information could result in the revocation of all related plantation codes, causing the entire production system to grind to a halt. In such a scenario, all the efforts of the MAE, other relevant agencies, as well as the hard work of farmers and businesses, could be undone, risking market loss, pushing hundreds of thousands of households into hardship, and driving many companies into bankruptcy.

“That’s why, alongside our pride and joy, I believe we must tighten both individual and collective accountability,” said Mr. Le Anh Trung. “Growers must be absolutely honest, strictly adhere to farming techniques, refrain from using banned substances, and avoid any involvement in fraudulent geographic coding. Meanwhile, businesses need to invest in quality control systems and must not sacrifice long-term credibility for short-term gains. They must not purchase or legitimize substandard products. Trust and integrity must come first.”

The Dak Lak Durian Association affirms its continued commitment to supporting the industry and safeguarding the trust and reputation of Vietnamese agricultural exports.

Looking ahead, the Association will continue to serve as a vital connector in the value chain, promoting a spirit of responsibility, organizing oversight, providing technical assistance, ensuring transparent communication, and protecting the shared interests of all stakeholders. It also urges the MAE to maintain its strong support for the sector through proactive information updates, prompt resolution of challenges, and strict handling of violations to set a clear example.

Today’s joy is real, but true and lasting success for the durian industry will only be possible if every link in the value chain strictly fulfills its commitments, to the community, the government, and international partners. We are proud, but we must not be complacent.

Mr. Le Anh Trung, Vice Chairman of the Dak Lak Durian Association, emphasized: “Only with responsibility, unity, and professionalism can Vietnam’s durian industry maintain its momentum, grow stronger, and earn a place on the global stage. On behalf of the Association, I sincerely thank the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, our farmers, and our businesses for their tireless efforts. Today’s joy must become tomorrow’s responsibility. This is our collective mission. The Dak Lak Durian Association is committed to walking alongside the industry and upholding the trust along with the global reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products.”

3 proposals to facilitate durian exports

To further support the export of Vietnamese durians in 2025 and the years to come, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy put forward several concrete cooperation proposals to Ms. Sun Meiqun, Director General of the GACC:

First, he proposed that GACC consider promptly adjusting food safety control measures for Vietnamese durians in a more facilitative manner.

Second, he requested favorable conditions for expedited customs clearance of durians, especially during the peak harvest season.

Third, he urged GACC to continue reviewing and approving additional laboratories qualified to analyze cadmium and yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) indicators, in order to streamline quality inspection processes before export.