Antibiotics use in fish and shrimp farms in Vietnam

•Proportion of fish producers using antibiotics was higher than shrimp producers.•Fish and shrimp farms most commonly used antibiotics for treatment.•Culture systems were significantly associated with antibiotic use pattern.•Some shrimp and fish farms used antibiotics banned from aquaculture.•Veterinary prescription should be required for antibiotic used in animal. The total value of aquaculture production in Vietnam, equivalent to US$4.26 billion in 2015, contributed approximately 65 % of Vietnam total fisheries exports. Antibiotics use (ABU) was widely reported in Vietnam livestock and aquaculture industries for disease treatment or growth stimulation. The objective of this study was to describe the rationale and pattern of ABU in fish and shrimp farms. A total of 360 fish farms and 360 shrimp farms were selected from seven provinces, including Hai Phong, Nam Dinh and Vinh Phuc in the North; Dak Lak and Binh Dinh in the Central; Dong Nai and Dong Thap in the South for questionaire interview. The results showed that antibiotics were widely used in fish farms (64 %), but less common in shrimp farming (24 %). On fish farms, there were 11 antibiotic classes (23 different antibiotics) used for both treatment and prevention. The most common antibiotic classes are Phenicol (11 %), following by Tetracycline (10 %) and Sulfonamide (7%). In shrimp farms, there were six antibiotic classes (10 different antibiotics) used. The most commonly antibiotic classes were Tetracycline (21 %). The results of the survey showed that the two main purposes of ABU were treatment of sick animals and disease prevention. Treatment accounted for ABU in 83 % of shrimp farms and 88 % of fish farms. The odd of using antibiotics in intensive fish farms was 5.2 times (95%CI 3.2–8.5) higher than extensive fish farms. The odd for professionals consultation before using antibiotics in intensive fish farms was 3.4 times (95%CI 2.2–5.4) higher than in extensive farms while the odd was 4.2 times (95%CI 2.6–6.9) comparing intensive shrimp farms to extensive ones. These results can be used to support policy formulation to manage ABU and reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquaculture production.