Aquatic products are one of the three main pillars of the agricultural sector in the Mekong Delta, particularly pangasius, shrimp, and clams. However, post-harvest aquatic products are highly perishable if not preserved properly. With growing demands from international markets for traceability, food safety, and environmental sustainability, smart packaging technology is emerging as a breakthrough solution in aquatic product preservation.

Smart packaging is more than just a physical protective layer; it is integrated with sensors, indicators for temperature, humidity, or microbial activity to monitor product status throughout storage and transportation. Some types of packaging can even change color when the product begins to deteriorate, allowing consumers to easily assess product quality.

In provinces like An Giang and Can Tho, several pangasius processing enterprises have partnered with universities to pilot packaging integrated with freshness indicators and thermal sensors. Results have shown that this packaging can issue timely warnings when storage temperatures exceed safe limits, thereby reducing the risk of quality degradation and ensuring food safety.

Additionally, smart packaging can incorporate antibacterial technologies such as silver nanoparticle coatings or natural plant extracts from green tea, ginger, or lemongrass to extend shelf life by 2–3 times compared to traditional methods. Some companies in Bac Lieu have successfully exported frozen shrimp using antimicrobial packaging, receiving positive responses from markets in Japan and the EU.

One current challenge is that the production cost of smart packaging remains high and the technology has yet to be widely commercialized. Investment in research, cost reduction, and technological dissemination is essential. With the support of research institutes, investors, and local authorities, smart packaging can not only serve the seafood sector but also be expanded to fruits, vegetables, and meats—helping to transform the post-harvest preservation industry in the Mekong Delta.