Introduction
The frozen food market in Vietnam has witnessed remarkable growth over the last decade, transforming from a relatively small segment into a thriving sector of the country’s food and beverage industry. As lifestyles evolve and urbanization accelerates, consumers are increasingly drawn to convenient, ready-to-cook, and nutritious food solutions. Frozen foods perfectly align with these changing consumer needs, offering an appealing combination of long shelf life, variety, and convenience.
According to industry estimates, the Vietnam Frozen Food Market was valued at USD 2.04 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 3.18 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 7.74% during the forecast period. This rapid expansion underscores the potential of the market, not only in urban centers such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi but also across growing semi-urban and rural areas as distribution networks improve.
The industry’s development has been strongly supported by rising disposable incomes, changing food preferences, and advancements in cold chain infrastructure. With more Vietnamese consumers embracing modern retail formats and e-commerce, frozen food is becoming increasingly accessible and widely accepted.
Industry Key Highlights
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Market Size: USD 2.04 billion in 2024, expected to reach USD 3.18 billion by 2030.
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CAGR: 7.74% during 2025–2030, indicating robust growth potential.
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Key Product Segments: Frozen meat, poultry & seafood, frozen fruits & vegetables, frozen snacks, and ready-to-cook meals.
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Fastest Growing Channel: Online retail, supported by platforms such as Tiki, Lazada, and Shopee.
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Regional Leader: Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Bình Dương, Đồng Nai) emerging as the growth hotspot.
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Major Players: CP Vietnam Livestock JSC, Sao Ta Foods JSC, Vinh Hoan Corporation, Kido Foods JSC, and Minh Phu Seafood Corp among others.
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Consumer Behavior Shift: Growing preference for convenient, healthy, and clean-label frozen products.
Market Drivers
1. Urbanization and Changing Lifestyles
Vietnam’s rapid urbanization has been a major catalyst for frozen food consumption. With more citizens moving to urban centers for employment, lifestyles have become increasingly hectic. Dual-income households, busy professionals, and students are demanding quick meal solutions, pushing frozen ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook products into mainstream consumption.
2. Rising Disposable Incomes
As Vietnam’s economy continues to expand, the middle class is growing significantly. Higher disposable incomes enable consumers to explore premium frozen foods, ranging from imported seafood and exotic fruits to innovative ready-to-eat international cuisines.
3. Expansion of Retail and E-commerce
The proliferation of supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores has played a vital role in expanding access to frozen food products. Modern retail outlets now dedicate extensive shelf space to frozen food categories. In parallel, e-commerce growth has accelerated demand, offering doorstep delivery and a wider variety of products to consumers across both urban and semi-urban regions.
4. Improvements in Cold Chain Logistics
Cold chain development in Vietnam has significantly reduced the challenges of preserving food quality during transportation and storage. Modern cold storage facilities and refrigerated trucks ensure frozen products maintain their nutritional value and taste, boosting consumer trust and adoption.
5. Health-Conscious Consumption
Vietnamese consumers are becoming increasingly health aware, seeking food options that balance convenience with nutrition. Frozen fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and seafood are gaining traction as healthier alternatives to heavily processed foods. Brands offering clean-label frozen products free from artificial preservatives are winning consumer trust.
Emerging Trends
1. Demand for Ready-to-Eat Frozen Meals
One of the fastest-growing segments in Vietnam’s frozen food market is ready-to-eat meals. Products such as frozen pizzas, dumplings, rice bowls, and noodle dishes are increasingly popular among working-class consumers and young professionals.
2. International Cuisine and Global Flavors
As exposure to global cuisines rises, Vietnamese consumers are exploring new tastes through frozen international food options. Korean, Japanese, Western, and Thai frozen dishes are gaining popularity, reflecting a cultural shift in food consumption.
3. Premiumization of Frozen Foods
Premium frozen products, including imported seafood, organic fruits, and high-quality snacks, are carving out a niche in the market. Consumers are willing to pay more for better taste, safety, and nutritional value.
4. Online Grocery Shopping Boom
Digital adoption is reshaping food retail. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift toward online shopping, and even post-pandemic, consumers continue to prefer the convenience of e-commerce platforms. Exclusive discounts, doorstep delivery, and wide assortments are helping online frozen food sales grow rapidly.
5. Clean-Label and Transparent Packaging
Consumers are increasingly cautious about food additives. Frozen food companies are responding with clean-label initiatives, highlighting transparency in ingredient sourcing, nutritional information, and sustainable packaging.
Regional Insights
Southern Vietnam: The Growth Hub
Southern Vietnam, especially Ho Chi Minh City, has emerged as the epicenter of frozen food demand. The region’s strong economic base, robust logistics networks, and modern retail penetration make it the largest and fastest-growing market for frozen foods. Rising incomes and a modern consumer mindset further accelerate this growth.
Northern Vietnam
In Hanoi and surrounding areas, demand for frozen meat, seafood, and vegetables is growing steadily. The northern region is witnessing strong demand among young consumers and nuclear families who seek convenient meal solutions.
Central Vietnam
While smaller compared to the north and south, Central Vietnam’s frozen food market is developing gradually, supported by tourism and increasing retail expansion in cities like Da Nang.
Competitive Analysis
The Vietnam frozen food market is highly competitive, with a mix of domestic players, regional companies, and multinational brands.
Key Market Players:
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CP Vietnam Livestock Joint Stock Company – Leading supplier of frozen meat and poultry products.
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Sao Ta Foods Joint Stock Company – Strong presence in shrimp and seafood exports.
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Vinh Hoan Corporation – Major player in frozen seafood, particularly pangasius.
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GreenFeed Vietnam Corp – Diversified food supplier with growing frozen food portfolio.
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Kido Foods Joint Stock Company – Focuses on frozen desserts, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals.
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Minh Phu Seafood Corp – Vietnam’s leading seafood exporter with strong frozen product range.
Competition is intensifying as companies focus on product innovation, expanding distribution networks, and adopting aggressive marketing strategies. Partnerships with e-commerce platforms and modern retailers are becoming essential for brand visibility.
Future Outlook
The Vietnam frozen food market is poised for sustained growth in the coming years. With rising urbanization, higher disposable incomes, and increasing consumer acceptance, frozen foods will continue to gain traction.
Key areas of growth include:
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E-commerce expansion – Online sales are expected to become a dominant channel.
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Product diversification – Innovative product launches in ready-to-eat meals, premium seafood, and organic frozen foods will drive demand.
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Sustainability – Companies investing in eco-friendly packaging and sustainable sourcing will resonate strongly with health-conscious consumers.
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Regional penetration – As cold chain infrastructure improves, rural and semi-urban markets will become new growth frontiers.
10 Benefits of the Research Report
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Provides detailed market size and growth forecasts up to 2030.
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Offers in-depth analysis of key drivers, trends, and challenges shaping the market.
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Breaks down the market by product type, sales channel, and region for granular insights.
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Identifies emerging opportunities in online retail and premium product segments.
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Helps companies understand consumer behavior shifts toward convenience and health.
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Offers competitive intelligence on major market players and their strategies.
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Provides insights into cold chain infrastructure development and its impact.
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Highlights regional growth hotspots such as Southern Vietnam.
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Equips decision-makers with actionable intelligence for investment planning.
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Enables stakeholders to benchmark their performance against industry leaders.
Conclusion
Vietnam’s frozen food market is entering a new phase of growth, driven by evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and expanding retail and e-commerce channels. From ready-to-eat meals catering to busy professionals to premium frozen seafood appealing to affluent households, the industry is diversifying at a rapid pace.
While challenges such as underdeveloped cold chain logistics in rural areas persist, continued infrastructure development and increasing consumer trust in frozen products are expected to overcome these hurdles. As frozen foods become more accessible, affordable, and aligned with consumer health and lifestyle needs, Vietnam’s market is set to become one of the most dynamic in Southeast Asia.
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