This study assessed the current aquaculture, especially industrial shrimp farming, causing soil and water pollution. Also, the mass death of shrimp and fish on a large area in the Mekong Delta, caused by wastewater and sludge with chemical residues was examined in the present study. All water samples analyzed above-contained cypermethrin (pesticide) at concentrations greater than 0.01 ppb, which could cause mortality of 76.2% or higher, after 35 days (e.g. caused by liver and kidney necrosis), in fish and shrimp populations. Tra Vinh was used as a case study for this assessment. Accordingly, farming shrimp activities affected soil degradation, such as acidity, salinization or spread of toxic elements (Al3+, Fe2+, H+) into the water. Water in most canals was contaminated. NH3, chemical oxygen demand, chromaticity and suspended solids were higher than the allowed standard. Thus, aquaculture wastewater could be hazardous.