Ornamental fish culture has experienced rapid growth in Ho Chi Minh City in recent years with more than 500 households rearing ornamental fish, concentrated in Districts 7, 8, Binh Chanh, Hoc Mon and Cu Chi.

The city at present has 120 ornamental fish shops scattered on designated ornamental fish streets.
The municipal Ornamental Fish Association estimates that the industry is capable of raising about 35-40 million fish annually to meet domestic and export demand.

In 2005 alone, the city turned out 34.4 million ornamental fish, earning domestic revenues of roughly US$800,000, and raking in US$5 million from exports.
The ornamental fish industry in the city, however, has developed spontaneously on a small-scale and therefore lacks long-term planning development strategy, capital and advanced cross-breeding technology.

To solve the problem, concerned agencies will join efforts with the Ornamental Fish Association and the Ha Quang Agriculture and Aquaculture Co-operative to build a 20-ha centre for breed multiplication in Cu Chi district.