From 3 to 7 August 2026, Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA), in cooperation with Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the ASEAN Secretariat, organized the 2026 "Food Value Chain" (FVC) Training Course, under the Project on Human Resource Development in Agriculture and Food through Cooperation with ASEAN Universities (the ASEAN – MAFF – HRD Project, Phase 4). This was also the final FVC training course held in Vietnam, marking the conclusion of a resilient 12-year partnership among Japanese, ASEAN, and VNUA counterparts.
Opening of the 2026 Food Value Chain training course
The opening ceremony took place on the morning of 3 August 2026 at Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA), with the online participation of Ms. Yukino Yamakami, Director of the Intellectual Property Division, Export and International Affairs Bureau, representing Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF); Ms. Kazuko Takabatake, Coordinator of the HRD Project Phase 4, representing the ASEAN Secretariat; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Anh, Dean of the Faculty of Food Science and Technology, VNUA; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, Project Coordinator on the Vietnamese side, together with Japanese experts, speakers, and a large number of participants.
In her opening speech, Ms. Yukino Yamakami mentioned that the HRD project had been operating since 2014, offering specialized courses on the food value chain and sharing knowledge, experience, and Japanese standards with 10 universities specializing in agriculture and food across the ASEAN region. To date, more than 10,000 trainees had participated in the program. The project contributed to fostering strong relations between Japan and Vietnam, as well as other Southeast Asian countries, in the field of agriculture, laying the groundwork for Japan to welcome young Vietnamese human resources into its food value chain.
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Anh noted that the Food Value Chain training course had been continuously organized by VNUA since 2015, growing into a reputable international cooperation activity that provided thousands of trainees nationwide with valuable knowledge and practical skills, thereby contributing to improved food quality and safety as well as to promoting cooperation and commercialization in the agriculture–food sector in Vietnam and the ASEAN region.
Training program content
The 2026 FVC training course was held in a hybrid format — in person at VNUA combined with online participation — bringing together renowned experts and speakers from Japan. The program covered such topics as an overview of the Food Value Chain (FVC); Introduction of Food Value Chain (FVC); Utilizing the functional food labeling system in the Food Value Chain; Business of agricultural cooperative in Japan for distribution and safety of agricultural products and foods; Agriculture and sustainability: Connecting future: Sustainable food, agriculture and management. In addition to thematic lectures, the participants took part in group discussions and presented projects on topics related to the Food Value Chain.
The 2026 FVC training course attracted 175 domestic and international participants over the course of five days, together with international experts and speakers from Japan's MAFF, the ASEAN Secretariat, NARO, Nomura Securities Inc., IDACA, and Food Bridge Japan. Among the trainees were 39 lecturers and researchers; 84 undergraduate and graduate students; and 52 managers, technical staff, and representatives of government agencies and enterprises. Trainees who were lecturers and students came from 19 universities and academies in Vietnam and abroad, mainly Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment, Dong Thap University, Tra Vinh University, National Economics University, British University Vietnam, and Chonnam National University (Republic of Korea), among others. Besides universities, the course also welcomed staff from several research institutes (the Food Industries Research Institute, the Southern Horticultural Research Institute, the Research Institute for Aquaculture, and others), specialised centres (RETAQ, the Agricultural Extension Centre, the Region 1 Centre for Quality, Processing and Market Development, and others), agricultural cooperatives, as well as nearly 20 food enterprises and state management agencies.
Field visit program to food enterprises
As part of the training course, on 7 August 2026, two group of 77 people — comprising international experts, lecturers, and trainees — took part in a field visit program to two of Vietnam's leading food processing enterprises, namely Dong Giao Foodstuff Export Joint Stock Company (Ninh Binh) and Hai Chau Confectionery Joint Stock Company (Hung Yen). The visit gave trainees a first-hand opportunity to observe production and processing procedures, quality control, and the operation of the food value chain within an actual enterprise setting.
Closing ceremony – A milestone marking the conclusion of 12 years of ASEAN – MAFF – HRD Cooperation
The closing ceremony of the 2026 FVC training course was held on the afternoon of 6 August 2026, with the participation of representatives from Japan's MAFF and the ASEAN Secretariat, together with all lecturers and trainees. This was a particularly significant milestone, as the 2026 course was the final Food Value Chain training course held in Vietnam under Phase 4 of the ASEAN – MAFF – HRD Project — the concluding phase of the Project as a whole. Since Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the ASEAN Secretariat began their partnership with Vietnam National University of Agriculture in 2014, the Project had, over four consecutive phases spanning 12 years, successfully organized 10 Food Value Chain training courses in Vietnam, providing knowledge, skills, and networking opportunities to thousands of trainees.
"It has been a resilient journey, reflecting the deep commitment, long-term vision, and genuine dedication of our Japanese partners to the development of agricultural and food human resources in Vietnam and the ASEAN region."
— Excerpt from the closing speech of the FVC 2026 training course
A Lasting legacy: Knowledge, Capacity, and Cooperation networks
Over the past 12 years, the ASEAN – MAFF – HRD Project had left a lasting contribution to Vietnam's agricultural and food human resources: equipping thousands of lecturers, students, officials, and enterprise representatives with knowledge and practical experience from Japanese experts; enhancing VNUA's training and research capacity in international cooperation; building an extensive cooperation network linking VNUA with universities and enterprises in Vietnam, ASEAN, and Japan; and contributing to improved food quality and safety as well as to the promotion of commercialization across the region.
The Project and its training courses had come to a close, yet the spirit of “Connecting knowledge – Building value” would continue to be carried forward through the network of alumni and new cooperation programs between VNUA and its partners in Japan and ASEAN in the years ahead.
Faculty of Food Science and Technology
Some photos of FVC training course
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hoang Anh, Dean of the Faculty of Food Technology, VNUA, delivered the opening speech
Ms. Kazuko Takabatake, Coordinator of the HRD Phase 4 Project, introduced the project
Training class on the Food Value Chain combining in-person and online learning
Project experts, the organizing committee, and participants on the opening day
Japanese speakers give lectures.
Trainees actively participate in the discussion.
Group discussion on the course topic.
Representatives of the presentation groups report.
Performing a skit to illustrate the report.
Field trip to Dong Giao Export Food Joint Stock Company, Ninh Binh province
The group take a photo at Hai Chau Confectionery Joint Stock Company, Hung Yen province.
Course completion and certificate issuance
The organizers and lecturers take a photo.
The joy of the organizers, lecturers, and trainees after each class
The closing ceremony officially marks the end of a long journey of contribution and dedication of the HRD project to the development of Vietnam's human resources, with the accompaniment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, the ASEAN Secretariat, and VNUA