Vietnam’s genetically modified corn area reaches 417,000 hectares
Vietnam has 417,000 hectares of genetically modified corn, about half its total corn area. Data presented at an agricultural biotechnology seminar in Hanoi show higher yields than conventional varieties, while product declaration and safety assessment procedures continue to slow commercialization.
Vietnam currently has 417,000 hectares of genetically modified corn, accounting for about half of the country’s total corn area. Data presented at an agricultural biotechnology seminar in Hanoi show that its share of corn cultivation rose from 1.1% in 2015 to about 50% in 2025.
The seminar data also show that genetically modified corn yields in Vietnam are 15.2% to 30% higher than those of conventional varieties, generating an additional profit of VND 4.34 million to VND 7.34 million per hectare. Cumulative economic benefits are estimated at USD 319.4 million to USD 540.5 million.
Illustrative image of genetically modified crops.（VietVance）
Globally, the use of biotechnology increased farm household income by a cumulative USD 384.9 billion from 1996 to 2024. Economic benefits in 2024 totaled about USD 29 billion, equivalent to 6.4% of the production value of the four crop groups assessed. Additional income averaged USD 106 per hectare, and about 52% of the economic benefits went to farmers in developing countries.
Companies in Vietnam still face unclear procedures for self-declaring gene-edited products and lengthy food and biosafety assessments and trials, which add time and costs to commercialization. Vietnam’s prime minister has signed Decision No. 1466/QĐ-TTg, approving a plan to develop the biotechnology industry in the agriculture and environment sectors.
Source: VietVance
