Vietnam Journal of Agricultural Sciences

This study aimed to evaluate several morphological characteristics and genetic diversity levels based on morphological markers of red pomelo varieties collected in Northern Vietnam. The research material consisted of 16 red pomelo varieties collected in 2025. Leaf and fruit morphological characteristics were described and measured; flowers were observed under a STECK JSZ5B stereomicroscope with a 10x eyepiece and 1-4.5x objective lens; morphological genetic diversity was analyzed using NTSYS 2.1, PCA multivariate analysis, and cluster analysis. The results showed that the red pomelo varieties differed significantly in leaf, flower, and fruit size, as well as quality indicators. Genetic diversity analysis based on 18 traits yielded similarity coefficients ranging from 0.10-0.38 and were classified into four groups. The PCA results showed that fruit quality indicators (Brix, dry matter, total sugar) were the main factors influencing the differentiation among red pomelo varieties, and they also showed a strong positive correlation with each other. Some varieties such as M2, M5, M6, M10, M11, M12 and M13 had good quality. The research results contribute to supplementing the scientific database for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of red pomelo genetic resources in Vietnam.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of mixing ratios of alluvial soil and materials from rice husk and coconut fiber as growing media on trailing petunias (Petunia hybrida L.). The experiment included two factors: 3 mixing ratios (v/v) (T0: 100% materials; T1: 4 materials : 1 soil; T2: 2 materials : 1 soil) and 5 types of growing media (TX: burnt rice husk + coconut fiber; G0: uncomposted rice husk + coconut fiber; G1, G3, G5: rice husk + coconut fiber composted for 1, 3, and 5 weeks, respectively). The results showed that composted materials and a high alluvial soil mixing ratio helped reduce the C/N ratio and stabilize pH. Mixing ratios of materials and alluvial soil did not significantly affect plant growth and development. Formulas using longer composting showed significantly better results in canopy diameter, number of primary branches, and flower yield compared to G0 and TX. In particular, T2G3 treatment (3-week composted substrate: soil ratio 2:1) yielded the highest flowers per plant (178.2 flowers) and the earliest flowering time (27.33 days). Using composted rice husk and coconut fiber within 3 weeks as a substrate is suitable for growing petunias in pots.

In molecular assays, primer characteristics, including target sequence complementarity and the tendency to form secondary structures, directly affect PCR efficiency. However, in waterfowl reovirus (WRV) testing, these factors currently receive little attention. This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of two RT-PCR primer pairs, DRV.320F/320R and DRV.368F/368R, using bioinformatics tools and experimental assays. The results showed that DRV.368 had higher sequence complementarity at the 3′ region and a lower tendency to form secondary structures compared to DRV.320, especially in the reverse primer. Consistent with these characteristics, DRV.368F/368R maintained stable amplification across a wider range of tested conditions and yielded a higher positive detection rate when testing 56 clinical samples. The specificity of both primer pairs was confirmed at the in silico design level and through amplicon sequencing. Overall, the results indicate that DRV.368F/368R is a more suitable primer pair for detecting WRV by RT-PCR under the current study conditions.

This study aimed to investigate the species composition and density of zooplankton in super-intensive whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) ponds in Ca Mau province. Zooplankton samples were collected from 6 shrimp ponds, including 3 ponds with densities of 150-200 individuals/m³ (A1) and 3 ponds with densities of 250-350 individuals/m³ (A2). A total of 10 sampling periods were conducted, with sampling every 7 days throughout the shrimp farming crop. The research found 32 species of zooplankton. Protozoa had the most species (10), followed by Copepoda (9), and the other groups had between 5 and 8 species. The zooplankton species composition did not differ significantly between the two different shrimp farming densities. However, the average zooplankton abundance in group A1 was lower than that in A2 across the sampling periods. Shrimp ponds had lower zooplankton densities compared to the inlet canal. The average zooplankton densities of groups A1, A2, and the inlet canal varied from 106,722 ± 85,564 individuals/m³, 148,196 ± 154,457 individuals/m³, and 303,148 ± 130,721 individuals/m³, respectively. Zooplankton species diversity ranged from low to medium. The results also indicated that water quality parameters influenced the distribution of zooplankton in the shrimp ponds.

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of storage temperature (4°C and 30°C) and carrier materials (dextrose, lactose, skim milk, and rice bran) on the viability and enzyme activity of strain Lactobacillus plantarum LAB8.1CM in powder formulations after 90 days of storage. The results showed that the viability of probiotic was consistently better maintained at 4°C across all carrier materials compared with storage at 30°C. Among these carriers, skim milk exhibited the highest protective capacity at 4°C, with a minimal cell death rate of 0.004 ± 0.002/day, while storage at 30°C resulted in a considerable increase to an average of 0.05 ± 0.002/day. In contrast, dextrose showed the poorest protective performance, with cell death rates of 0.017 ± 0.002/day at 4°C and 0.062 ± 0.001/day at 30°C. In addition, protease activity gradually decreased during storage; however, enzyme activity was maintained at approximately twofold higher levels at 4°C compared with 30°C. Notably, no statistically significant differences (P >0.05) in protease activity were observed among the various carrier materials, and no significant interaction was identified between storage temperature and carrier type (P >0.05). Overall, storage at low temperatures in combination with suitable carrier materials plays a crucial role in preserving the viability and biological activity of Lactobacillus sp. in powdered probiotic formulations under experimental conditions.

This study aimed to assess the current status of spatial distribution and reproductive seasonality of early life stages in the coastal and offshore waters of Thanh Hoa Province, providing a scientific basis for proposing temporally closed fishing areas. Data were collected from surveys of fish eggs, larvae, and shrimp postlarvae conducted during 2024-2025, combined with fisheries biological data of major commercial species. The results indicated a heterogeneous distribution of early life stages, with high concentrations occurring in nearshore areas associated with estuaries and the waters surrounding Hon Me Island, while offshore waters played an important role as nursery areas. Although reproduction occured throughout the year, the highest concentration of spawning species was recorded during April and May. Based on the integration of early life stage distribution and reproductive seasonality, five temporally closed fishing areas with a total area of 216,587ha were proposed for the waters of Thanh Hoa Province, contributing to the protection of vulnerable early life stages and supporting the sustainable recovery of coastal fishery resources.

This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing user satisfaction with land administration public services at the local level using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. The research model was constructed with five groups of factors, including administrative procedure quality, staff competence and service attitude, transparency and accountability, information technology infrastructure and online public services, and reception, support, and feedback. Data were collected from 400 land users in the study area and analyzed using the PLS-SEM approach. The results indicate that the model demonstrates strong explanatory and predictive power (R2 = 0.727; Q2 = 0.516). Among the examined factors, “reception, support, and feedback” has the strongest impact on user satisfaction, followed by staff competence and service attitude, while “transparency and accountability” as well as “information technology infrastructure and online public services” do not show statistically significant effects. These findings demonstrate a shift from process-compliance to interaction-experience-based approaches, providing a practical reference framework to enhance the quality of local land administration public services.

This study examined the factors influencing consumers’ purchase intentions toward insect-based foods in Hanoi city. Survey data were collected from 275 consumers, and exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis were employed to identify the determinants of purchase intention across three product types: whole insects, insect-based powder foods, and foods produced using insect-based feed. The results indicate that a one-point decrease in neophobia on a 7-point Likert scale is associated with an increase in purchase intention of approximately 0.17 and 0.20 points for insect-based powder products and insect-fed food products, respectively. In contrast, disgust toward insect-based foods reduced the purchase intention for whole insect products by about 0.27 points. Meanwhile, greater interest in insect-based foods increased the purchase intention for whole insect products and insect powder-based foods by approximately 0.36 and 0.35 points, respectively. Demographic factors exhibited limited and inconsistent effects across the models. Based on these findings, the study proposes policy implications aimed at promoting consumer acceptance and consumption of insect-based foods in developing economies such as Vietnam

This study aimed to assess curent status and to propose solutions to promote the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in Hanoi city. Based on secondary data analysis combined with group discussions, the study shows that small and medium sized enterprises played a vital role in the city’s socio-economic development: they accounted for more than 97% of all active enterprises, providing employment for over 48% of the workforce in enterprises, and contributing significantly to the city’s Gross regional domestic product. Although small and medium-sized enterprises in Hanoi had experienced growth in terms of theỉ number (with an average annual increase of 2.33%), their capital (at 5.3% per year), and their net revenue (at 6.9% per year), they continued to face limitations in access to finance, managerial capacity, market reach, and profitability, particularly among micro and small enterprises. Based on the findings, the paper proposes a set of solutions, including enhancing access to finance, improving managerial capacity and workforce quality, promoting digital transformation, expanding markets, and improving the business environment, with the aim of fostering the development of small and medium enterprises in the coming years

Situated within the institutional voids of emerging economies, this study integrated Social Capital Theory and the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework to decode the survival mechanisms of informal rural-to-urban migrants. Employing a rigorous spatial-temporal intercept sampling strategy, cross-sectional data from 238 agricultural street vendors in Hanoi were empirically validated using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that sidewalk adaptive capacity acted as an operative black-box, fully mediating the translation of latent network resources into sustainable livelihood performance. Crucially, bridging social capital exerted a significantly stronger leverage on adaptive agility compared to bonding ties. By conceptualizing street vending tactics as informal dynamic capabilities, this research theoretically challenged traditional zero-tolerance clearance policies. Ultimately, it advocated for an inclusive urban governance paradigm, highlighting informal agrifood systems as highly resilient arteries for urban food security that align seamlessly with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This study aims to estimate the factors influencing consumer’s repurchase decisions for Loc - Mai purple star apples in Can Tho City. Based on survey data from 160 consumers, the study conducts Cronbach’s Alpha reliability analysis, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and Binary Logistic regression. The findings reveal three key factors:  (i) Quality; (ii) Convenience; and (iii) Promotion & Communication. Given the results, the paper proposes recommendations as regards improving the repurchase rate of this fruit.

In the context of digital transformation, which is profoundly reshaping the organization and management of agricultural production, the development of human resources in agricultural cooperatives has become a critical factor in fostering innovation and enhancing cooperative performance. Using a literature review approach, this paper synthesizes and analyzes international experiences in human resource development for agricultural cooperatives under digital transformation. The study examines countries with well-developed cooperative systems in order to clarify training models, support mechanisms, and the roles of key stakeholders in cooperative human resource development. On this basis, the paper identifies several important factors that promote human resource development in cooperatives in the context of digital transformation, including the strategic guiding role of the state, the linkages between cooperatives and training and research institutions, and the participation of technology enterprises in the digital agricultural ecosystem. The findings provide valuable lessons for Vietnam in advancing human resource development in agricultural cooperatives to meet the requirements of digital transformation and sustainable agricultural development.

Household livelihood diversification is an important strategy for adapting to economic, social, and environmental changes. This paper provides a review of existing studies to clarify the roles and determinants of livelihood diversification. The literature was collected from both domestic and international scientific databases, including journal articles, research reports, and academic books published mainly between 2015 and 2025. The findings indicate that livelihood diversification not only helps disperse risks and stabilize household income against climate- and market-related shocks, but also creates opportunities to expand economic activities, improve income, and strengthen household food security. Livelihood diversification is influenced by various factors, including household resources, natural resource conditions, markets and infrastructure, institutional and policy environments, as well as external risks and shocks. The study suggests that promoting livelihood diversification should be supported by appropriate development policies to enhance sustainable rural household livelihoods and improve adaptability to the current context of increasing uncertainties and changes

In the context of the knowledge economy and digital transformation, human resources play a vital role which determines the competitiveness and sustainable development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In Vietnam, although the policy framework for SMEs’ human resource development has been progressively refined, particularly since 2017 under the Law on Support for SMEs and subsequent guiding documents, implementation remains hindered by obstacles such as complex administrative procedures, scattered resource allocation, and irrelevant supporting items that lacks practical alignment with business needs. Using a narrative literature review method, this paper analyzes the policy experiences of countries such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and others in establishing skill development funds, collaborative training models, and professional management consultancy networks. Research findings suggest that Vietnam needs to shift from a mindset of mere resource allocation to creating a synchronous ecosystem based on four core policy pillars. Furthermore, the paper emphasizes a priority roadmap for the 2026-2030 period by promoting the Triple Helix model through the bridging role of local business associations, leveraging digital technology, and simplifying policy access procedures to enhance the effectiveness of human resource support policies for SMEs.