Authorities have provided guidance to help stakeholders clearly understand this provision. It allows for the authorised use of planting area and packing facility codes, thereby boosting the reach of Vietnamese agricultural products.

Vifoco Bac Giang Export-Import JSC’s preliminary processing and packing facility has been recognised by the US for meeting export standards for lychee.

Currently, Bac Giang province maintains 304 planting area codes for exports to markets such as China, the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand.

Of these, lychee accounts for the majority with 240 codes, covering over 17,400 hectares. The rest include longan, pomelo, watermelon, and star apple.

The province also has 39 registered packing facilities for fresh lychee export—37 serving the Chinese market, one for Thailand, and one for Japan.

The issuance of planting area codes helps ensure that agricultural products meet the standards set out in free trade agreements, build brand identity, and serve as a "passport" to international markets.

As export markets become increasingly stringent, particularly regarding traceability and food safety, organisations, individuals, and businesses in the province must stay well-informed, especially about new export regulations for fresh fruit, to ensure full compliance.

Under the new regulations effective from January 20, 2025, owners of planting area and packing facility codes must submit written notification to the Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection.

This notification must include information about the authorised organisations or individuals, the specific codes being used, and the estimated export volume for the year.

The sub-department will gather and report this information to the Plant Protection Department and update it on the national coding system. This process is essential for the regional Plant Quarantine Sub-Departments to conduct inspection and certification of export shipments.

Failure to submit the notification will result in denial of quarantine inspection, making it impossible to export products legally—even with a valid code.

Importantly, all authorisations must be in written form; verbal agreements will not be accepted. This policy strengthens state management over planting area and packing facility codes used for exports.

Over the past time, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has directed its specialised agencies to closely monitor the use of planting area codes and urged packing facilities to strictly comply with export regulations. This enhances transparency and boosts the value and reputation of local agricultural products.

Furthermore, the province is promoting digital technology to record data throughout the production and packing processes, ensuring food safety and traceability—viewed as key to sustainable export growth.

The authorisation of planting area and packing facility codes is a vital step in helping agricultural products expand into global markets and affirm their position.

However, this must be accompanied by the capacity and responsibility of participating organisations, individuals, and businesses, as well as close supervision by relevant authorities.

Only then can these codes truly become a "quality passport" for Vietnamese agricultural goods entering demanding markets.

Minister calls for Bac Giang's stronger efforts to boost lychee production and exports

BAC GIANG - Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy on May 11 led a working delegation to Bac Giang province to discuss lychee production and export readiness ahead of the 2025 harvest season.

Diversifying sales channels to boost lychee market reach

BAC GIANG - While lychees are still in the early fruiting stage, Bac Giang has proactively launched trade promotion efforts. Numerous agreements on purchasing, distribution and logistics have been signed, opening new avenues for this year's harvest.

Lychee output expected to rise 30% this year

Approximately 60% of the output is expected to be consumed domestically, while the remainder destined for export.

 

Three more lychee growing area codes approved for export to the US

BAC GIANG - Thanks to meeting the criteria, some lychee growing areas of Bac Giang Province have just been approved as eligible for export codes to the United States market.

Bac Giang steps up linkages for lychee sale

BAC GIANG - The Bac Giang provincial Department of Industry and Trade held a conference on April 23 to form linkages and sign cooperation agreements for the sale of Bac Giang lychees in 2025.