Photo: courtesy Precision Aquaculture /FIS

IoT Technology Revolutionizes Water Quality Monitoring in Aquaculture

VIET NAM
Monday, December 15, 2025, 07:00 (GMT + 9)

Vietnam Leads the Adoption of Smart Systems to Boost its Strategic Fisheries Sector

Internet of Things (IoT) technology is being applied globally for the crucial monitoring of water quality in aquaculture production. This advancement has gained particular relevance in Vietnam, with promising pilot tests of IoT systems in fish ponds, such as those conducted in the province of Tuyen Quang.

Aquaculture is one of the pillars of the Vietnamese economy. The Strategy for the Development of Vietnam's Fisheries Sector until 2030, with a vision to 2045, approved by the Prime Minister's Decision No. 339/QD-TTg on March 11, 2021, sets ambitious goals. These include maintaining an annual growth rate of 3-4 % in the value of aquaculture production, reaching a total production of 7 million tonnes, and generating employment for approximately 3.5 million workers. By 2045, the goal is for aquaculture to consolidate itself as a modern and sustainable sector, positioning Vietnam among the world's top three producers and exporters of aquatic products.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processors and Exporters (VASEP), Vietnam's aquaculture production has grown steadily, increasing from 4.1 million tonnes in 2018 to 5.7 million tonnes in 2024, generating a turnover of 10.07 billion dollars. For this year, with 1.3 million hectares of inland aquaculture and 9.7 million m² of marine cage farming, a slight increase in production is projected.

The key for aquaculture to reach its full potential lies in the application of advanced science and technology. Water quality monitoring equipment is an indispensable component that replaces traditional methods. Although countries with developed aquaculture industries such as Thailand (where the Department of Fisheries supervises the entire area), Oceania countries (with strict control procedures), and European nations (which delegate control to owners) have different regulations, the importance of monitoring is universal.

In Vietnam, several companies have adopted high-tech solutions, such as the E-Sensor Aqua device from Eplusi Technology Company, TC Check from TC Group, and e-Aqua from Cenintec.

A Technological Breakthrough with a Vietnamese Seal

The most notable system is the one developed by the Institute of Information Technology under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. This comprehensive water quality monitoring system for aquaculture is the result of years of rigorous research.

Dr. Pham Ngoc Minh, from the Institute of Information Technology, explains that the system uses an IoT application platform combined with modern technical equipment, which gives it superiority for the Vietnamese industry. The product has already been tested and certified by the Center for Analysis and Environment (CAE) under calibration certificate number CAE25HC12711, dated October 27, 2025.

The system consists of five key parts: a power supply unit (220 VAC/50 Hz input and 24 VDC/12 VDC output), a processing unit (with a central data processing module and digital input/output ports), a display screen, a 4G module, and a wireless communication module.

Once installed, the server connects to the data collection stations, automatically analyzes water samples, detects anomalies, and alerts farmers about potential risks. The system also integrates, stores, and manages long-term data to monitor water quality trends. Its interface is intuitive, displaying data in numerical, graphical, and tabular formats, and allows for the simultaneous monitoring of several aquaculture ponds. In addition to the data displayed on the main screen, the system can send parameters and alerts to the phone numbers of registered users via wireless modules.

Dr. Ngo Duy Tan (from the Vietnam Space Center), a member of the research team, emphasizes that the IoT system automates the water quality monitoring process, minimizes risks, increases production efficiency, reduces costs, and optimizes aquaculture operations, making it a vital tool for sustainable aquaculture in Vietnam.

Although tests demonstrate the superiority of these monitoring systems, further trials are still required to assess their durability and adaptability to various water bodies and aquaculture models. The success of its large-scale implementation will depend on funding, policy support, media outreach, and the collaboration of the business community and organizations in the aquaculture sector.

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